Designing the trailer frame is one of the most crucial parts of this project. I see a lot of people who retrofit another type of trailer for their project. However, building the trailer is the fun easy part. But… if you get in a hurry too have this part built, you risk having all types problems with your final product. Some are can be very serious, while others are only features that your rushed frame will not allow. For these very small and light campers, this is even more of a priority due to the narrow safe weight envelope.

On my first trailer I added too much unnecessary weight. Since it was my first trailer build, I used 3/16 channel to construct the box. Had I just used 1/8 channel I would have saved approximately 20 pounds. That doesn't sound like much, but for a small trailer, that is around 4% of its overall weight. Addition weight savings can be found by ditching one of the stabilizers. Why? 95% of the time I never used the two rear stabilizers. When I did use them, I really needed something that could lift the back of the trailer. Light weight production stabilizers will bend in the holes when you apply lifting pressure.

My solution will be to use a single RV step stabilizer to replace two of the normal stabilizers used on teardrops. The type I will use employs a threaded jacking motion by twisting a nut. This will serve four benefits. First, leveling the camper when you cannot lower the front jacks enough. Second, weight-reduction through eliminating a stabilizer. The third benefit is removing the need to cary a scissor jack. By raising the front stabilizers to their max height, then using only a wrench, I will be able to lift the rear tires off the ground. Thus reducing even more weight. Lastly, ease of use. I have come to hate regular RV stabilizers. You still need to get a tool out of the box and the stabilizers are always dirty from having on the bottom of the camper. The new jacks will have the same problem, but it will require much less handling to get the thing to swing into position. Which leads me to the last design improvement, the new custom front stabilizers.

These will be made from smaller square steel tube and placed on the leading edge of the frame. While saving a little weight, the big advantage will be the ability to lock them into position, both in the up configuration as well as lowered. This will require some sort of kick stand on the tongue, but something I wanted to add to the trailer for another reason that I hope to discuss at a later time.

As soon as I have ironed out the details of the frame, I will include them in the project section of this site.