Well, I've been in the planning stages for quite a while, but figured its time to start a thread. This will be my third trailer since joining the forum in 2010.
It'll actually be the 4th trailer I've designed though. Last winter my good friend decided he wanted a teardrop for he and his wife, so we sat down at my computer and drew one up to suit their needs. I helped him build it last winter and they did quite a few trips in the past year.
So for this winter, the plan was to sell my current trailer, The X-II, and then start on the new design. Well the X-II is still hanging around, but that's not going to stop the new build. The show must go on!! Although, all the money I have tied up in the X-II will keep the new build at a snails pace until the right person comes along to scoop it up.
On with the details....
The original plan was to do a full custom frame with torsion axle. Well I got some quotes on the custom frame and they were a bit higher than I expected. So I toned it back and decided on the Northern Tool 5x8 kit. However, I will be ditching the leaf spring and axle from the kit, and still going with a Dexter torsion axle. I'll also be replacing the 12" wheels/tires with 15" aluminum wheels and radial tires.
Using the NT kit as a base allows for a few things:
1. Its saving me about $700, compared to the custom frame (this money saved will go towards the new axle, wheels, and tires)
2. It comes with a VIN number and Certificate of Origin, which will make registration much easier than a full custom trailer
3. I can sell the stock axle/springs, wheels/tires, fenders, and lights on Craigslist (or here) and get a few dollars to put back into the trailer build
The X-Cubed is a modified mini-hopper/weekender design, with a trolley-top and angled nose. And you know I couldn't completely abandon the convertible concept, so a 4' wide by 4'-8" long section of the trolley top will be hinged so that it can lift up, exposing a screened roof section. That hinged section of roof will also have two 15" x 44" cell-cast clear acrylic panels to let light in. The rear of the trolley top will also have an acrylic window.
Overall body length will be about 10'-5" and it will be 60" wide on the inside. Walls will be insulated stick-framed, and 3/16" skins inside and out. Overall height will be 6'-8" (empty) so it will still fit in my garage. Overall width (with custom fenders) will be 80". Doors will be the factory-style 26x36. The tongue will be modified just as I did on the HF trailers.
And of course it will have all the "bells & whistles" of The X-II. There will be two 100W solar panels - one on the roof, and one on the rear hatch. There will be remote control LED lighting throughout, a stereo system with speakers inside and out, two deep cycle batteries, fantastic fan, etc, etc, etc. Both the rear hatch and the operable roof will have gas struts and locks.
I present to you, the
"X-Cubed Compact Travel Trailer"The bones of the design....
A possible paint scheme (but we all know I'll change my mind a dozen times)....
As usual, I'm definitely more than excited to start building! This one will be a challenge, but I'm really looking forward to it!
Build Thread Index02/20/2014 - Northern Tool 5x8 Trailer Kit Arrives -
viewtopic.php?p=1065431#p106543102/22/2014 - Kit Assembled & Torflex Axle Info -
viewtopic.php?p=1065563#p106556303/03/2014 - Tongue Extension Info -
viewtopic.php?p=1067349#p106734903/11/2014 - Sawdust -
viewtopic.php?p=1068734#p106873403/18/2014 - Battery Cage -
viewtopic.php?p=1070019#p107001903/21/2014 - Floor Assembly -
viewtopic.php?p=1070309#p107030903/23/2014 - Begin Wall Framing -
viewtopic.php?p=1070681#p107068103/30/2014 - Skinning the Walls/ Starting Galley Bulkhead -
viewtopic.php?p=1071734#p107173404/01/2014 - Hinge Spar & Galley Counter -
viewtopic.php?p=1072208#p107220804/06/2014 - Upper Galley / Trolley Top Framing -
viewtopic.php?p=1072879#p107287904/12/2014 - Main Roof Framing -
viewtopic.php?p=1073696#p107369604/14/2014 - Interior Ceiling Panels -
viewtopic.php?p=1074106#p107410604/16/2014 - Wheels and Tires -
viewtopic.php?p=1074377#p107437704/20/2014 - Upper galley and Interior -
viewtopic.php?p=1074963#p107496304/20/2014 - Hatch Construction -
viewtopic.php?p=1075045#p107504504/23/2014 - Roof Hatch -
viewtopic.php?p=1075469#p107546904/24/2014 - Wiring Diagram -
viewtopic.php?p=1075697#p107569704/29/2014 - Interior Paint -
viewtopic.php?p=1076540#p107654005/01/2014 - Wiring and LED's -
viewtopic.php?p=1076877#p107687705/06/2014 - Roof Skins -
viewtopic.php?p=1077556#p107755605/09/2014 - Wiring Stereo and Batteries -
viewtopic.php?p=1077941#p107794105/10/2014 - Wiring PD4045 Power Center -
viewtopic.php?p=1078126#p107812605/14/2014 - Exterior Skins -
viewtopic.php?p=1078768#p107876805/20/2014 - Hatch Lights -
viewtopic.php?p=1079516#p107951605/27/2014 - Acrylic Skylights and Exterior Paint -
viewtopic.php?p=1080265#p108026506/03/2014 - Lower Galley Bulkhead Doors -
viewtopic.php?p=1081345#p108134506/04/2014 - Side Lights and Skylight Curtains -
viewtopic.php?p=1081494#p108149406/05/2014 - MAIDEN VOYAGE!! -
viewtopic.php?p=1082077#p108207706/30/2014 - Repair Galley Hatch -
viewtopic.php?p=1084782#p108478203/03/2016 - UPDATE!!! Finished galley, rear receiver, headboard, fenders, replaced galley hatch -
viewtopic.php?p=1163106#p116310603/07/2016 - Patch front corner -
viewtopic.php?p=1163565#p116356509/27/2016 - Installed Air Conditioning -
viewtopic.php?p=1185192#p118519211/09/2016 - Finishing galley hatch with LED lighing -
viewtopic.php?p=1190189#p119018911/20/2016 - Painted some parts/fenders with Herculiner -
viewtopic.php?p=1190190#p119019002/28/2017 - Remodeled headboard/electrical compartment-
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=1197911#p119791105/08/2017 - Fresh new paint design! -
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=1204092#p120409207/06/2017 - Air Conditioner exhaust vents -
viewtopic.php?p=1209204#p120920407/17/2017 - Air Conditioner installation -
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=1210179#p121017903/03/2019 - Made the cover story for CoolTears Magazine! -
viewtopic.php?p=1244837#p1244837Thanks for looking!