Tent Haters Society present: A disaster in progress

[StormRider]

Did you just use thin sheet metal on the roof and thin angle on the edges?

The roof is .040 aluminium, and the edge is RV roof molding.

 

[jackjoh]

If you do not have a name call it the "The Square Tear Drop". What is the weight now?

 

[RogueJeepr]

Could be a Mini-hopper or square tear. Here's a cool link .
http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear00.htm
Ive seen a few on there.

 

[StormRider]

This is the design I started with: http://www.mikenchell.com/weekender/

Not sure on the weight at this point, I'm dropping the body back on the frame tonight, then off the DMV to start the registration process. I'll try and stop somewhere tomorrow to weigh it.

 

[RogueJeepr]

Ive been told on that site you shouldnt need to register it unless its over 750lbs or single axle . Other states may be a problem.

 

[Unimog]

Yup. Utah law says if it is less than 750 lbs when empty, it doesn't need to be registered.

 

[mesha]

Yup. Utah law says if it is less than 750 lbs when empty, it doesn't need to be registered.

even if you intend to sleep in it?

 

[kmboren]

So what are the Dimensions of this?

 

[Chevycrew]

even if you intend to sleep in it?

Sleep in it? Wouldnt that make it fall under a different class? Looks like a gear hauler to me...

 

[StormRider]

Running a trailer out of state without plates on it gives Law Enforcement an excuse to harass you, and with this kind of trailer I didn't want to have an argument with Utah LE either, because according to utah code:

41-1a-102(65) "Travel trailer," "camping trailer," or "fifth wheel trailer" means a portable vehicle without motive power, designed as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational, or vacation use that does not require a special highway movement permit when drawn by a self-propelled motor vehicle.

It would be easy to argue that in fact it is a Travel Trailer if I have a mattress in it. Travel Trailers, regardless of weight, must be registered. There's also a difference in registration cost: $175/year for a travel trailer vs $30/year for a "Other Trailer"

So I did the leg work a few weeks ago to get a VIN and get it registered, and since the interior wasn't completed, it was titled as a "Other" trailer

 

[jackjoh]

I can not help but believe you would be able to sell this kind of trailer especially in the west. It would be interesting to work up figures on what it would cost to build and sell 10 of these a year. It would be possible to expand the production if the demand became large enough. The problem would be labor costs. You could build for $2 or $3K in material but labor would probably be in the $4 to $6k range. Very interesting and well done. PM me your address so I can come see it in person since I am close by in South Jordan.

 

[RogueJeepr]

So any updates or trip reports on the trailer ?

 

[Tacoma]

The problem would be labor costs. You could build for $2 or $3K in material but labor would probably be in the $4 to $6k range.

I bet if you got fixtured up for production you could do one a week. Someone could pay themselves handsomely and still come in pretty cheap on labor costs.