Teardrop Frame to Ground Clearance Heights

[Colin Hughes]

So, I've got the new to me Teardrop home in the driveway. It's been very cold and snowy here so I haven't really messed with it but as soon as I get the Curt hitch installed on my LR3, it will be going to the trailer welding shop to have the height adjusted up. It appears it has adjustable height 1400lb Flex-ride torsion half axles. That's a good first start as they seem to be close to the highest position. I realize I'll need to change the fender location if I adjust these but am leaning towards replacing the curved fender with a Jeep style aluminum item. The current tires are 185-60R14, really low profile. I'm thinking of going to at least a 15" tire - maybe 205-75R15. I'm wondering what a good average height from the lowest part of the frame to the ground is for a Teardrop that will be running on logging and fire roads, not wild rock crawling? I can adjust the hitch up (but only until it affects the lowering of the rear tailgate) or down on rear of the LR3 so the whole unit sits level. If I'm going to weld in spacers between the frame and the torsion axles, might as well do it once and right. Any advice is appreciated on height modifications, tire sizes, etc. Image shows how it currently sits. The previous owners used a Hyundai Tiburon to tow it around.

 

[SoCal Tom]

I took my 5x8 ( overall length 12 ft) on the Mojave Rd with about 15 inches clearence between the frame and the ground with no problems. Here is a video of the worst section we saw. Also, you might want to measure the clearance on your tow vehicle. Not much value in 30 inches of clearance on the trailer, if you only have 10 on the TV.

 

[skersfan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpsy1161R8Q

Here is mine on carvacre trail. Not the roughest section. Your trailer is not designed for serious off road trails. Fire roads and the like you should be fine. The last drop on the video is a about a 24 inch straight down drop. This trailer is a steel integrated frame trailer, not wood walled. Still running back in Missouri and hitting the trails on the east coast.

The main problem is the distance between the pivot ball and the axle. Going to high center on a lot of things it looks like.

 

[Colin Hughes]

Thanks guys. I was looking at about 18" so it seems its in the ballpark. Once we get out of this -30C weather, I'll be more inclined to mess around outside.
BTW Skersfan, really enjoyed your build thread.

 

[java]

/snip

The main problem is the distance between the pivot ball and the axle. Going to high center on a lot of things it looks like.

This is going to be the biggest issue. On Water bars etc. Thats a long tongue.

 

[Colin Hughes]

Not sure I'm really understanding the tongue length thing. Sorry. Relatively new to trailers. It didn't seem all that much longer than some of the others I've seen with multiple boxes, etc on the tongue in front of the actual teardrop. Here's a shot of the front of the trailer. I didn't think there was really even enough room for a battery box/solar controller/etc.

 

[java]

Its just the length between the ball hitch and axle. It effects the break over angle. Think of driving over a hump like this /\ /\ As the trailer is going up the first one the trucks front end is going up the next one, dropping the rear end. Tongue hits the top of first bump.
Honestly It should be fine for most FS roads.

 

[Colin Hughes]

Got it. Thanks

 

[stomperxj]

Anything above 14" or so should be acceptable