Awesome build series & really good points in the closing of your video. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your build, experiences, & thoughts. Also a big thank you to your family for sharing their time.
You’ll definitely satisfy a bunch of peoples curiosity with this video! Thanks. I’m in the process of copying you with a 5’5” x 8’. The pod idea seems the most practical for many of the reasons you listed. Thanks again for posting videos!
Oh an ILove your work.. been doing some research and was thinking of making a teardrop. But after coming across your build I definitely think you're the smarter of the bunch. The fact that I won't be using it every single day indicates that building a removable square pod is the smartest route.
I weighed all the pieces of my first camper minus weighing paint, canvas and some electrical and at 4x8 it was 750ish built on the trailer. The second removable camper was 5.5 x9 and was 1000ish just for the camper . I never got around to making a weight video. Good explanation for everyone.
Appreciate your videos. Getting ready to start my build on our square drop. Would love to see a review video after you’ve been using it for a while of things you like and things you might do differently if you did it again. Thanks again!
Scaled at 2320... Data sheet for the Utility Trailer states.. GVWR 2990,....GAWR (lbs/axle) 3500,....Curb Weight 960,....Payload 2030.... trailer is 960 which means the pod is 1360 lbs with current load in it.
The axles have a weight rating, but the load of the trailer also has a tongue weight which is on your tow vehicle, not on the axles. Tongue weight generally ranges from 10-15% of the overall weight when properly loaded.
Yes, I learned a lot building this unit. Luckily, being a pod and moveable on the trailer, I am able to balance the tongue weight where I want it. If building a fixed camper it would definitely be smart to think about weight distribution before hand.
I think your calculations are off. I have a nearly identical trailer. (5x10 Big Tex 3500lb Dexter axle PT 2x deck with the wire mesh removable tailgate) Mine weighs out at 819 lb pounds empty. States that the load capacity is 2180 even though it has a 3500lb axle. I think you are probably about right about the tailgate. 200lbs +/-. The decking on it weighs approximately 250lbs. The 4x6 you added are about 45lbs each. I started to do a similar build with mine but after doing the calculations dismissed the idea. I am currently working on a 5x8 for my build but adding a "galley kitchen" to the rear out of lighter gauge steel. Tearing out the deck material for lighter weight. You could easily strip an additional 400 lbs off of it if it was a dedicated camper.
Agree. Weight is the only part of this build that I don’t like. In the plans is another build with a dedicated trailer or maybe even fab a trailer frame myself. Thanks for watching and good luck with your build.
So far so good, zero issues. The key is making sure everything is good and dry before sealing and make sure to put a few coats of a base down first….I used exterior grade house primer.
I think your math is not quite right: instead of starting with the GAWR of 3500 pounds, you should begin your calculation with the GVWR of 2990 pounds. So, I suspect the actual trailer is 510 pounds lighter than you claim, making the Pod heavier.😃
there is no chance that Trailer is near 1200 pounds... The 9x5 high galvanized trailer is 1200 pounds and large solid walls. and a super thick drop door. I guess another video of him weighing just the trailer is due, But there is no need, SURE-TRAC has the weight on their website for the trailer, 960 pounds
Awesome build series & really good points in the closing of your video. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your build, experiences, & thoughts. Also a big thank you to your family for sharing their time.
You’ll definitely satisfy a bunch of peoples curiosity with this video! Thanks. I’m in the process of copying you with a 5’5” x 8’. The pod idea seems the most practical for many of the reasons you listed. Thanks again for posting videos!
Good deal Donald! Any media where we could check out your build? Good luck either way and thanks for watching.
No media on my end. If I run into somewhere while camping I’ll show you the pics😁
Oh an ILove your work.. been doing some research and was thinking of making a teardrop. But after coming across your build I definitely think you're the smarter of the bunch. The fact that I won't be using it every single day indicates that building a removable square pod is the smartest route.
I weighed all the pieces of my first camper minus weighing paint, canvas and some electrical and at 4x8 it was 750ish built on the trailer. The second removable camper was 5.5 x9 and was 1000ish just for the camper . I never got around to making a weight video. Good explanation for everyone.
Great build. I am planning on doing something similar on my 6+10 aluminum trailer. 👍
Appreciate your videos. Getting ready to start my build on our square drop. Would love to see a review video after you’ve been using it for a while of things you like and things you might do differently if you did it again. Thanks again!
Scaled at 2320... Data sheet for the Utility Trailer states.. GVWR 2990,....GAWR (lbs/axle) 3500,....Curb Weight 960,....Payload 2030.... trailer is 960 which means the pod is 1360 lbs with current load in it.
That makes a lot more sense.
The axles have a weight rating, but the load of the trailer also has a tongue weight which is on your tow vehicle, not on the axles. Tongue weight generally ranges from 10-15% of the overall weight when properly loaded.
Yes, I learned a lot building this unit. Luckily, being a pod and moveable on the trailer, I am able to balance the tongue weight where I want it. If building a fixed camper it would definitely be smart to think about weight distribution before hand.
I think your calculations are off. I have a nearly identical trailer. (5x10 Big Tex 3500lb Dexter axle PT 2x deck with the wire mesh removable tailgate) Mine weighs out at 819 lb pounds empty. States that the load capacity is 2180 even though it has a 3500lb axle. I think you are probably about right about the tailgate. 200lbs +/-. The decking on it weighs approximately 250lbs. The 4x6 you added are about 45lbs each. I started to do a similar build with mine but after doing the calculations dismissed the idea. I am currently working on a 5x8 for my build but adding a "galley kitchen" to the rear out of lighter gauge steel. Tearing out the deck material for lighter weight. You could easily strip an additional 400 lbs off of it if it was a dedicated camper.
Agree. Weight is the only part of this build that I don’t like. In the plans is another build with a dedicated trailer or maybe even fab a trailer frame myself. Thanks for watching and good luck with your build.
My squaredrop built on a trailer weighs 920lbs total.
How’s the Raptor Liner holding up? Any cracks or stress signs?
So far so good, zero issues. The key is making sure everything is good and dry before sealing and make sure to put a few coats of a base down first….I used exterior grade house primer.
Awesome build videos! How did you secure the camper pod to the trailer? Cheers
There are holes in the 4x6 skids and the pod is attached with cables that wrap under the frame of the trailer.
How does the raptor liner hold up on the weather
Has held up really good so far. Prep is the key.
I think your math is not quite right: instead of starting with the GAWR of 3500 pounds, you should begin your calculation with the GVWR of 2990 pounds. So, I suspect the actual trailer is 510 pounds lighter than you claim, making the Pod heavier.😃
You’re probably right, but I think most folks want to know what the unit weighs. Honestly I was curious too. Thanks for watching.
there is no chance that Trailer is near 1200 pounds... The 9x5 high galvanized trailer is 1200 pounds and large solid walls. and a super thick drop door. I guess another video of him weighing just the trailer is due, But there is no need, SURE-TRAC has the weight on their website for the trailer, 960 pounds
What is the overall height of your build
🤘🤘🤘
What's the axle rated at
3500# axle