Teardrops & Tiny Travel Trailers w/ Lifting Roofs on 1st pg

[S. Heisley]

A Steam Punk Trunk! How interesting! They are parked in a beautiful-looking location, too.
My first thought, when I looked at it, was that it probably isn't insulated.
Then, I got to the part where they talked about being cold; and I said, "Uh Huh!"
Building out of foam, like some of us do, has an advantage. It's already insulated!

 

[mezmo]

This was on the FYI channel's Tiny Houses show [or one of them on there.] The
builders come from the set designing and set building profession. They both have some
great building and finishing skills. And they built it outside at a friends place that they
had to commute to when building, in the open air, using tarps for cover, when needed.
Their design addresses one of the problems with the Tiny House movement - lake of
realistically usable space. Instead of a 'kiddies play house' the extra room and space
from the raising roof and expanding sides make it much more usable. It has an appealing
"Steam-Punk Vardo" look to it.

 

[asorensen]

Here is my contribution to this thread:

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=43744

 

[baughb]

Ok, Looong time lurker, possibly my first post.

Permission from my wife to spend the money to build (with very clever friends).

Came across Mr. "ez-toad" and his trailer 19 (for reference https://www.flickr.com/photos/51728468@ ... 661186740/). I hope to make this 14' long (if needed) and 6'6" wide (short Queen in back, central Cooking area with Dinette to the front) and keep the interior height to 5' with a "Hunter Compact" type roof that lifts up adding 18" or so of height. Not the whole length of the trailer but, more than half. also considering a 6" floor drop in the cooking area as well.

Totally stoked to find this thread because of the encouraging, simple ideas. My hope is that I don't have to scalp an existing Compact to get the roof I hope to have but, maybe someone on here may have some ideas for me or point me towards a source of info. I even looked into the uber-expensive van top conversions but alas, the 2 I contacted will only do motor vehicles.

So, that said, My name is Bob, I live in Burbank, CA. Try to get out at least monthly to the Eastern Sierra due to a fly fishing addiction.

Thanks for your time.

 

[catleppert]

Following.

 

[proarch]

Here is the Purpledog. I am almost done with the build, but would like to share more about the design process sometime.

 

[S. Heisley]

Here is the Purpledog. I am almost done with the build, but would like to share more about the design process sometime.

That looks like a nice drawing/painted picture. I look forward to seeing your build thread!

 

[Cathy P.]

Someone linked this into another website I belong to, and it is just interesting, kind of like a Hi-Lo without all the "bling": http://www.duckworksbbs.com/product-p/ww-slidavan.htm Hopefully this hasn't already been mentioned, as I didn't have time to read through all the other posts.

I wonder if one wanted one but didn't have the skills, if a local, more or less, person that worked in building cabinets would be able to do something like that.

 

[John61CT-TNT]

Yes I've been posting that everywhere, I think if you didn't need fine-art finishing, the functionality could be done by even handyman level carpentry skills, cabinetry not required.

I would want a flat(ter) roof for solar, and a bigger footprint, but def want to use that super simple lifting mechanism and fully insulated walls, just need a foam strip for sealing between the walls.

My idea is make it usable like a teardrop while lowered, say rest area sleeping while in transit.

Raising for longer stays just gives greater comfort and convenience.

 

[Cathy P.]

Yes I've been posting that everywhere, I think if you didn't need fine-art finishing, the functionality could be done by even handyman level carpentry skills, cabinetry not required.

I would want a flat(ter) roof for solar, and a bigger footprint, but def want to use that super simple lifting mechanism and fully insulated walls, just need a foam strip for sealing between the walls.

My idea is make it usable like a teardrop while lowered, say rest area sleeping while in transit.

Raising for longer stays just gives greater comfort and convenience.

I, too, would like to have the trailer to be usable for sleeping in the down mode, that would be a real plus, even if it was just crawling in.

This is a way to get more of the European style, light and simple, which manufacturers here just avoid.

 

[S. Heisley]

A lot of these designs here (but not all) are ones that a person can crawl into, to sleep in transit without putting the top up. I have done that with mine many a sleepy night. (However, since I'm fairly short, mine becomes a "slouchy" when the roof is down. HaHa!)

Some of these trailers even have a separate, short door (teardrop size) next to the bed just for the purpose of crawling into bed without needing to extend the roof.

Yes,the Duckworks' plans were mentioned in another thread but it is worth repeating here; so, thanks!

 

[jschrotenboer]

Ok, Looong time lurker, possibly my first post.

Permission from my wife to spend the money to build (with very clever friends).

Came across Mr. "ez-toad" and his trailer 19 (for reference https://www.flickr.com/photos/51728468@ ... 661186740/). I hope to make this 14' long (if needed) and 6'6" wide (short Queen in back, central Cooking area with Dinette to the front) and keep the interior height to 5' with a "Hunter Compact" type roof that lifts up adding 18" or so of height. Not the whole length of the trailer but, more than half. also considering a 6" floor drop in the cooking area as well.

Totally stoked to find this thread because of the encouraging, simple ideas. My hope is that I don't have to scalp an existing Compact to get the roof I hope to have but, maybe someone on here may have some ideas for me or point me towards a source of info. I even looked into the uber-expensive van top conversions but alas, the 2 I contacted will only do motor vehicles.

So, that said, My name is Bob, I live in Burbank, CA. Try to get out at least monthly to the Eastern Sierra due to a fly fishing addiction.

Thanks for your time.

Have you ever checked out Home Grown Trailers' Woodland? I totally want to build something close to that but figured it'd be good to learn on a smaller teardrop first

http://www.homegrowntrailers.com/woodland

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[S. Heisley]

Thanks!

 

[S. Heisley]

Came across this facebook advertisment....Shown on a truck bed but could be used on a trailer:

https://www.facebook.com/BusinessInside ... 4OTIwNTU2/

 

[John61CT-TNT]

For those who avoid FB https://www.topperezlift.com/product-pa ... ckage-sale

 

[S. Heisley]

Thanks, John.

 

[John61CT-TNT]

I am looking for more generic (cheaper) lifting mechanisms, with a 200-250lb capacity per corner like these, but capable of a 30+ inch extension.

Does not need fancy coordinated electrics, hand crank is fine.

Even hydraulics or compressed air if necessary.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[bdosborn-SMB]

Try eBay, I found some there:

eBay Linky

$1,300 seems like a lot of money for actuators that are $90 apiece on eBay. I wonder how hard it would be to cobble something together using the eBay actuators?

Bruce

 

[greygoos]

Try this link for lifting mechanisms

 

[John61CT-TNT]

Try eBay, I found some there:

eBay Linky

$1,300 seems like a lot of money for actuators that are $90 apiece on eBay. I wonder how hard it would be to cobble something together using the eBay actuators?

Bruce

Thanks for the right search string!

Actually the better quality ones are up above $200, they also provide the controller, wires etc, probably better warranty & support.

Plus Western level profits required to be sustainable. . .