Trailer build question?

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nao57

Crowing
Mar 28, 2020
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So... I have to say thank you. I asked questions here about a week ago on how to pull a trailer, first time. You guys got me through it. I'd never done that. And so I wouldn't have been able to get over my worries without help. You guys are awesome. And you get credit for this.

So a new question came up. I got a cheap trailer... like a small utility trailer on the cheap. It was almost destroyed by the previous owner. So I'm rebuilding it. And... a new question came up.

So, my intention was to see if I could build a camper shell around it on the back of it, after fixing the previous plywood, and other things on it. I could do this and have a cheap emergency all around, multi-function vehicle. It seems like it would be a good idea.

BUT I'm not sure how safe it is to go upwards with height on the build? I could use advise on that. This ... part of why I am worried about this is my lack of experience. But another reason is that the trailer is higher than normal. Most small campers are very low to the ground, and the wheel base is very wide. This trailer is like 27" base high. AND the axle, wheel base is not the full width of the trailer. Its not terrible, but its lacking maybe 7" on each side. This coupled with the height makes me worried about how high I can go with a shell or enclosure build and still stay safe?
 
So... question;

Are 2x4s strong enough to hold and be trailer supports if a home built mini house/camper trailer is being pulled in wind, like on a freeway?

I'm very confused. My friend came over today and discouraged me from building a camper trailer. And it seemed weird. He said he worried about the wind, and if I got in the wind of freeway I'd hurt someone. It doesn't look like it will hurt someone. I'm already mostly done, except for the 2 side walls and the top.

BUT, when I look on youtube, people are building these little teardrop trailers, and they are using flimsy thin wood pieces. They aren't even using metal or 2x4 pieces. I'm using 2x4s and 2x4s they should be fairly strong. At least, they are stronger than what I see people using them for on youtube mini-camper builds. He also told me it would take thousands of dollars to finish the build. (This part about it taking thousands of dollars seemed off and doesn't make sense. I'm already mostly done with repairing the body and just have the side walls and roof left. I don't see how it could cost thousands of dollars. In fact, it seems like it might cost very little to finish. I also didn't use ANY nails, and went with screws heavy duty on everything and more screws than a normal person would use. I went overkill so far on trying to make sure it was safe and good for someone, for if I decide to sell it. (The person I bought the ruined trailer for the foundation from only had like 15 nails holding it together with no screws.)

So I can't be doing things totally wrong. I don't understand but it seems like his advise is screwed up. Or jealous? It made me feel like I needed to gather more information and see if my friend's opinion is tainted. (He builds stuff for a living and is an engineer... so its possible there might be a conflict of interest(?).)

For freeway speeds, if you put a homebuilt camper on the trailer, are 2x4s enough to keep it strong and not have it rip apart in wind? What do you think on this?

Thanks for any advise.
 
They can be but it depends on how close together the 2x4s are, whether you have diagonals (and what size and shape they are), that shape the trailer is, how much it weighs and how much its load will be as well as things like what kind of screws you use.

You also may want to look into license requirements for your area.
 
saysfaa said:
They can be but it depends on how close together the 2x4s are, whether you have diagonals (and what size and shape they are), that shape the trailer is, how much it weighs and how much its load will be as well as things like what kind of screws you use.

You also may want to look into license requirements for your area.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
Can tarpaper be used on roofs of camper trailer builds? Or will it be too hard to keep it from coming off in freeway speed winds? What do you think on this? (And how best to secure?)

Also, how much paint would you need over plywood before its thoroughly sealed off enough to not degrade from water exposure?

Thanks
 
when we bought our shed, the builder delivered it after he built it. We asked that the shingles not be put on. He said he would have to deliver it without the tar paper either as there is no way it would not blow off on the way.

Having put tar paper on a few times, I agree - there isn't a way short of covering it completely with something stiff like shingles.

One coat of paint would be enough if you do a good job of prepping before you paint. A coat of primer first would be better. The paint (and everything else) would need more inspections and maintenance than they would in structures that had less movement and vibration but more coats of paint won't help that much.
 
Thank you very much to saysfaa and casportpony. And yes I'll try to dig up something to take pictures. And hope you both also feel the courage to do your own.

I haven't always had the courage to be a DIYer. I still don't know what to do without asking for advise. So I love talking to people here to help with problems. Sometimes I can help and sometimes I'm asking for advise hah.

Thank you.
 

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