Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

[friz-TNT]

Something to consider. A bolt together trailer kit is not going to bring any torsional rigidity to your project. Your folding vardo is also a compromised box and may not be rigid in torsion either.

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[Paintsalot]

Something to consider. A bolt together trailer kit is not going to bring any torsional rigidity to your project. Your folding vardo is also a compromised box and may not be rigid in torsion either.

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Thanks for feedback Friz. The lower walls would be about 24 to 30 inches tall. I think I could probably get enough stability there. The only weak spot will be the back door. It breaks the box. I may use a tall sill- maybe a 2x6 going across or even taller.
It’s good to think about -I don’t want it racking.

The inside would have benches. The bench supports could add strength.
The part that folds up only has to withstand normal wind forces at a campground.
I don’t know what to do about trailer. Adding a plywood floor or torsion box sandwich should help?

An alternative is a short vardo- like this https://youtu.be/9j4zcRS4OqQ


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[pchast]

over-center latches on the door in transport
should hold the box together.

 

[Pmullen503]

I wouldn't be too worried about flex. Wooden boats spend their whole lives flexing.

The only think to keep in mind is that you want the flexing to occur over a broad area, not concentrate at the joints. That's easy with an open box.

What might take a little thought it how you lock down your roof for towing. If you are going to have some movement in the box and a very rigid hold down system, all the stresses concentrate there and the hold down could fail. So ropes, straps or those rubber or spring loaded hold downs clasps would work.

 

[Paintsalot]

over-center latches on the door in transport
should hold the box together.

Cool. I was sketching the same thing in my sketchbook… Opposite the hinges, I can just have some latches.


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[Paintsalot]

I wouldn't be too worried about flex. Wooden boats spend their whole lives flexing.

The only think to keep in mind is that you want the flexing to occur over a broad area, not concentrate at the joints. That's easy with an open box.

What might take a little thought it how you lock down your roof for towing. If you are going to have some movement in the box and a very rigid hold down system, all the stresses concentrate there and the hold down could fail. So ropes, straps or those rubber or spring loaded hold downs clasps would work.

I have a sailboat with a custom fitted canvas over it, it’s on a trailer- and once there was a high wind storm that came through, and it blew over my sailboat and trailer. The only thing that held the boat on the trailer was the canvas cover, which had multiple attachment points. I was amazed that the canvas was able to hold the sailboat on… But maybe it’s your same concept of spreading out the attachment points.


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