Critique Needed: Foamie Camper Design for 2 Adults and a Dog

[heyheyfifi]

Hi!

Starting on my first camper journey, want to do a foamie! I've got a unique idea that I'd like to get some input on.

The main design parameter is that it should comfortably fit 2 people and a dog. I found a few posts about people building a 5x10 camper on a 4x8 by going a foot out on the front and back. I made it 5' tall, elevated the bed, and created two storage spots underneath the bed that can be accessed by an outdoor baggage door. One of the compartment will hold a kitchen on a railing that can be pulled out. The empty compartment is over the trailer so I'd put bulky and light weight items there. The space is set to have a full size bed fit comfortable but could squeeze a queen.

Air circulation is something I've been thinking about. Would having 2 windows by the top that can open with a screen to get a cross breeze be enough? Can always have a battery powered stand alone fan inside as needed? I'm just hesitant to cut a hole in the roof. In general I want this to be low tech and simple.

Has anyone made a bed platform out of foam with screening before? I assume that 1.5in with a few supports and the grilled cheese screening method will be plenty.

This isn't the final design as it's just blocks now and not a detailed layout yet. The framing of the floor is just a placeholder for now:

SketchUp

Draw, orbit, push-pull: make anything you can imagine in SketchUp, anytime you imagine it.

app.sketchup.com

Let me know what you think! Any design flaws I haven't thought about?

 

[Tony Latham]

So, no room to sit up?

Air circulation is something I've been thinking about. Would having 2 windows by the top that can open with a screen to get a cross breeze be enough?

Our first teardrop didn't have a roof vent/fan. Never again. We seldom turn the fan on, but even on cold nights, we crack it. When it's hot, it's all the way open. Since it's on the ceiling, it creates convection and draws the air through the side windows. Without it, the air would just sit, unless there was a crosswind at the campsite.

Tony

 

[Pmullen503]

I don't think there is enough headroom over the bed. Also the 5' seems like a poor compromise; all the downsides of the extra height (non standard dimensions, more aerodynamic drag) without the benefit of being able to stand up.

You are giving up a lot to get that under bed storage and to not have the dog have to walk over the bed to enter and exit.

 

[heyheyfifi]

I see now that me fiddling with baggage doors messed with the height over the bed! I used to have that at 36” in above the mattress. When I sit with straight posture I’m 32” at the tallest so I think moving things to be 36” again should be enough?

I’ll probably make the under bed storage smaller, or maybe make the whole thing taller? Pros and cons?

 

[Tony Latham]

Pros and cons?

This design works great. Storage under and above the headboard. Shelves over the feet for more storage. It's easy to get into–just like the bed in your home–which is one reason the basic teardrop design has stood the test of time. It's easy to sit in because of the headboard.

You're trying to improve on a design that's been around for eighty years. A design that is arguably perfect. People keep building the basic teardrop for a reason.

Tony

 

[heyheyfifi]

Thanks Tony

A few things I’m trying to get around is because I got a super cheap 4x8 trailer expanding out to 5’ wide and adding bigger tires there’s going to be a wheel well unless I go up 6” or more so it’s not a flat 10x5 surface which I know is inherently inefficient, but I’m trying to keep costs down. I know that a flat 5x10 is better but $800 in savings buys a lot of foam!

I moved some things around in the sketchup, so the top of the mattress is at sitting height with plenty of headroom. The little compartments are only 9” tall now, I may be able to find a little door or I may just close it in.

I like the idea of having a rubber mat at the entrance to take off shoes inside and clean some little paws.

 

[Pmullen503]

...................

You're trying to improve on a design that's been around for eighty years. A design that is arguably perfect. People keep building the basic teardrop for a reason.

Tony

You need to think about entering and exiting the camper. The traditional design allows you to swing in and out of the bed. That works. Once you move the door, you'll need enough space to maneuver.

Another complicating factor is traveling with a dog, especially a larger dog and how well behaved it is. You need a design to accommodate that.

 

[dt400]

You may want to think about tongue weight.
The design has a lot of rear overhang with the kitchen way out back. I'd make sure you put stabilizers on the back regardless, otherwise it looks like when two of you are in bed your going to do a impromptu wheelie.

Darrell

 

[KCStudly]

As above, the "sit and spin" entry method is very desirable. My knees would hate having to crawl in and out. Even if you are young and spry now, that might not always be the case. Depending on the size of the dog, I would consider a more traditional bed and door arrangement. A rubber backed door mat under an easy-up tent outside of the cabin could act as an entryway vestibule to clean dog paws and take shoes off (under most weather conditions). For the dog's bed I would look to ideas from people with kids and their bed solutions, usually a folding or removeable shelf over the feet of the main mattress. Either way the dog bed takes up space, but with the side door in the proper location, over the feet is the best solution for a standard height tear.

Otherwise, maybe look at a rear entry trolley top design to minimize the frontal area that is above normal height.

 

[AgentOrange]

My son is 6'6" so I had to think outside the 4x8 box. Building on top of a HF4x8 trailer modified to 5x10.

I can see the allure of staying within a sheet-good size...tho with the foam extending it was easy using Gorilla and Great Stuff canned foam...butt joints work just fine, dont bother with the finger technique.

My constraints were an 80" long mattress (TwinXL), a refrigerator/freezer (in the front) and a decent galley, and enough room to kneel inside/change clothes, etc.

 

[S. Heisley]

Since you've decided to lower the bed back down so you can sit up inside and can sit in the doorway and swing in, you'll be much happier. Yes, I agree that a small shelf with a lip on it, about a foot or more above your feet will be a good place to put a dog and dog bed, provided the dog isn't an 80 pound "moose". (The lip will keep the dog's mattress/bed from sliding off.) You might have room for you ice chest on that shelf, too, and it would be close to your shelves, BUT I have found that having an ice chest in the area where you sleep in these little campers can lower the temperature of the sleeping area 5 degrees or more. This might be good for you on hot days but when the nights are cold, this could make it unpleasant enough to make you reconsider. (I can't imagine sleeping directly above one!) I prefer my ice chest in the tow vehicle not only for the temperature advantage but also because I like to keep the weight lower in the trailer. If the cooler would be near the trailer tongue, that weight could have a significant negative change in your planning as well. Also, imagine how easy it would be for a bear to tear through that foam to get to the cooler! I'm guessing that your teardrop will not have much -if any- insurance against 4 legged marauders whereas your tow vehicle would! (Just keep a towel or throw over it so the critters have a harder time recognizing what it is.)

A wise investment might be a small changing tent or maybe plan for a shower curtain that hooks from near the top of your (open) door to the side of your trailer so you can stand up to dress and maybe have a small Luggable Loo or porta potty inside that changing tent for those middle of the night trips. Now would be the time plan to add the small wood pieces in the side of the trailer and door so you can add that curtain, if you think you may want it. It depends on what you want, but I'm betting your wife will be very appreciative of a "middle-of-the-night" potty.

Planning your build can be a head scratcher, but considering it all now will make for a greatly appreciated camping experience later. You are smart to ask opinions. Because of all their experience, these people may think of some really helpful things!