French Startup rethinks a TD

[JazzVinyl]

Check it out:

https://www.curbed.com/2019/6/13/18...travel-trailer-lightweight-carapate-adventure

 

[pinstriper]

20 grand ? Yeah, nah.


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[Pmullen503]

I don't see the advantage to the large side door. Why climb over the tire? The slide out kitchen doesn't seal the inside from cooking odors and smoke.

Just innovation for its own sake with no practical advantage.

 

[troubleScottie]

Pretty, modern. Follows in the lines of trailer designs using a large door like a leanto for a very open feel. Little difficult to determine features. Can see DC power system, water, propane stove, reasonable windows, marginal storage.

$20,000 may or may not be reasonable depending on the materials and other features. After all, it is Europe and they want to make a profit.

Most people here are building at cost -- labor is free and no profit margin. Many build very austere TD. Start glamping and that changes a lot. Costs jump pretty quickly as you add space heaters, water systems, Li battery, high end fans, manufactured doors, AC, DC frig, propane, brakes, solar, axle-less suspension, entertainment eg TV/radio/VHF/UHF/HF. Now this system does not appear to have these and most likely does not as it is a major selling point.

 

[pinstriper]

$20k buys a lot more in a conventional TT.



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[Tony Latham]

I think they put the axle on the chassis so it would be in the middle of the door. Kinda like deciding where an airplane wing should be so it doesn't interfere with the door.



Tony

 

[Pmullen503]

Think about closing that door once you are inside. Seems like that would be awkward. The galley is just dumb.

This was designed by someone who's never actually camped in a TD.

 

[Tony Latham]

Think about closing that door once you are inside. Seems like that would be awkward. The galley is just dumb.

This was designed by someone who's never actually camped in a TD.

I agree... and give that door a flight-test when the bugs are out.

Tony

 

[Woodstramp]

I would never buy that one, but I like the openness of it. I already like side entry tents. I could see replicating it, but for my own use, some changes.

All that wood on the exterior would require it to be parked in a protected area when not in use. Roof also needs a slight slope to shed heavy rain, too. Gull wing door closing issue could be eased with a drop down strap. I personally would not do that slide out galley....another potential leak in transit. My copy would have an awning or a 10x10 easyup that attaches to that entry side when parked. Some velcro'd drapes for the three sides of the 10x10 for privacy were needed for changing clothes.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

The builder chose to use the same trailer chassis as is found on the Slidavan.

Edited because I omitted the "on"!

 

[dogcatcher-TNT]

For a homebuilder the price pf $15,500 to $22,000 is high, but if you add in $20 an hour in your labor, that becomes cheap. As to the look, I like it, it looks great, an open and airy look. The slide out galley, I have seen quite a few of them on commercial popup campers, even room slide outs on big rigs, so that is not a problem, in fact I see it as a bonus.

2 things I would want to add, first a pop top with canvas side like the VW camper has, and second a side awning.

 

[S. Heisley]

Not my idea of nice
...at any price.

 

[ZoNiE-TNT]

I think they put the axle on the chassis so it would be in the middle of the door. Kinda like deciding where an airplane wing should be so it doesn't interfere with the door.



Tony

European Trailers always have the axle centered to eliminate the tongue weight so they can tow them with the small cars. Problem is, they sway like crazy over 50mph. They are, as such, limited to slower speeds.

 

[Tony Latham]

....so they can tow them with the small cars.

Gotcha,

T

 

[Socal Tom]

Think about closing that door once you are inside. Seems like that would be awkward. The galley is just dumb.

This was designed by someone who's never actually camped in a TD.

That style galley is fairly common on "over landing" trailers, its also used in the back of jeeps etc. I think there are some ideas that have some merit, depending on how you use your trailer. One reason I like TDs is that they make you spend more time outside vs an RV which is just a portable living room.
- The big swing up door provides a shady space, and if you add some curtains, you have the side room so many of us are always looking for. You can even add a canvas partition in the hole left by the swing up door if desired.
-the indoor/outdoor kitchen is clearly better suited for outdoor use, but it would be nice to have the option of cooking inside out of the wind if it were an issue ( how to vent the heat is a question I have though)

They don't really show it in the sleeping configuration, so I'm a little lost there. Ultimately a TD is a hard sided tent for 2 with an outdoor kitchen, this checks those boxes.

 

[Tony Latham]

...with an outdoor kitchen...

Is a slide-out that consists of a stove and a plastic sink really a kitchen? Where do you keep your pots? (Asking for a friend, Socal.)

I know they don't have mosquitos in England but they do in Europe. I'll stick with the hypothesis that whoever designed this never camped with a teardrop. Perhaps never camped.

Innovative? Yes. Me? I'm a two-door kinda teardropper. Which was innovative seventy years ago.



Tony