Hello Everyone,
After years of dreaming I am finally ready to build my first TD. I have owned a couple of conversion vans and a motor home in the past. But I found they were too big for me. I am currently getting rid of a 97 Grand Cherokee with 235K miles because its my 3rd vehicle and I don't want to put more money in it. But I need something to haul things in from time to time. And I want to get up off the ground when I go camping. I need something small and light that I can pull with either my Mazda Protege or my Mazda Miata. And I LOVE the look of a TD. My other major goal for this build is to keep the costs down. I don't want to go over $2500. And it will take a little while to put even that together.
Toward that end I have purchased a HF 4' x 8' foldable trailer. My next step is to have it welded. I can do a bit of stick welding myself but this being automotive I would prefer to have someone TIG it. Meanwhile I'm planning my build.
After looking over quite a few images I have decided that something like this would be optimal:
As I envision it there would be no doors. Entry would be through the back where the galley would normally be. Having no door will make the build easier and less expensive. The rear hatch will also be handy when using the trailer for hauling building or other materials. This design also increases head room and, of course, greatly increases the usable enclosed space. It provides a kind of private living room where I can dress or just relax out of the sun or rain. Or use the pot.
I'm considering increasing the size to 5' wide (for a queen size bed) and maybe increasing the length to as much as 10'. But weight is a concern with my very limited towing capacity. And my wife isn't likely to accompany me very often. Your opinions are invited.
I want to build a woody. And I would like a sliding front window and a skylight in the lid. And bigger windows.
What do you folks think about this basic design? Am I overlooking anything?