unusual teardrop/square drop looking for some tips.

[HastaLaPasta]

Hello all,

I've been researching and delaying my build for ages, but now it has to start!
A little background my name is Wim I'm from the Netherlands and my wife has MS and is in a wheelchair, until now we have been camping with 2 dogs and my daughter in a Sprinter van short wheelbase and a drive away awning.
The living space in the awning is quite small when it rains (it rains a lot here) and i need to move the bed chairs all the time, so I've been thinking to make a tear/square drop just for sleeping 2 persons to gain some more space in the awning.

Now here my issue most diy campers are with a kitchen in the back and my plan is to use a slide out bed that slides out of the back of the camper so i can lift my wife onto the bed and slide the bed inside. so I'm sorta stuck with the construction strength of a bed that slides (with heavy duty drawerslides) out at least 48 inches (120cm).
I haven't even been thinking about my kitchen lay out yet because of that slide out that i want to tackle first.

Greetings, Wim.

 

[S. Heisley]

I think the reason you haven't gotten any replies is because it is difficult to picture what you need and how to help.

Perhaps the best way to solve the problem of rain might be to add something like a tarp to the side of your existing awning. If you add some Velcro or rings where attachments can be added to the sides, the tarp (side or front wall), could be attached on the side that the wind is blowing from. That way, you wouldn't have to build anything and you might not have to move the bed chairs.

I did something similar where I bought shower curtains and can add them to a 60 second screen tent, putting up just one side or all sides. When I attach the shower curtains to each of the sides, the tent stays dry inside, even in a gusty downpour. I used mostly 1/2 inch snaps with special fasteners at the top and bottom corners of each curtain so the wind can't catch the curtain and the curtains stay in place. With what you have, you would need to add a little extra fabric to lengthen the shower curtain so it could be extended from the awning side to the ground. Also, you might need to add a few weights at the hemline. Maybe even use magnets to temporarily attach the side of the shower curtain to the metal of your vehicle.

Another idea might be to add a special tent that is open on one side and shelter the chairs against/inside that under your awning.

The ideas and ways to do what you need are just one imagination away. Look on the Internet for ideas. The kind of things that we do in the tnttt group sometimes defy the purpose that products were originally designed for. We tend to feel that anything is possible, if you're of that mindset. Look in hardware stores and fabric shops. You never know when the right idea will pop into your mind just from looking. Simply keep an open and positive mind and you will find what you need to do.

You are to be commended for all you do to help and support your wife.

Best Wishes and Safe Journeys!

 

[philpom]

Create a large hatch on the back and size the camper to accommodate something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/BEDSLIDE-Cla...&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932707126768&th=1

Holds 1000 pounds and is 78"x48" but there are many on the market.

Here is another so you get the idea just incase you can't open that amazon link from the US.

https://www.extendobed.com/slideout-units/

Best of luck, I really think something like this could work, they are strong and lock in position to prevent accidents.

 

[foxontherun]

Might even try something like this that Don (Flboy on TTT) made for his truck bed.

This is the last trailer build thread on this forum that I am familiar with that Don built. viewtopic.php?f=42&t=73788

I agree that you are to be commended for all you do to help and support your wife.

Best wishes,
Harry

 

[Dan242]

My trailer has a door on the rear, kitchen in a side panel. Might give you an idea . [url=https://imgur.com/Sqky5Rs]

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[S. Heisley]

I guess my reply brought your request back up to the top of the listing and people started coming up with ideas! Good!

I'd still try the shower or tarp curtain or half-tent first. After all, it takes time to build a trailer and you have a lot to do already. That way, you wouldn't have a lot of money and time invested and you could use that to camp more freely, even while you build something.

 

[HastaLaPasta]

Thank you for all the replies so far,
I have gotten some good idea's for now, so I've got to do some more research for now.
I will make a squaredrop trailer without the kitchen in the back and go from there, i am still in the drawing fase but this will be my starting point the kitchen has to be either some mobile solution or on the side.

Regards Wim,

 

[GTS225-TNT]

Hasta; I don't know the regulations in your country concerning home-built campers or caravans, but might I suggest you research "Gypsy" or "Vargo" campers? Something like one of those might offer you an alternative to the primary subject of discussion in this board's title.
It does sound (realistically) as if you and yours might need something a bit roomier in the future.

Just sayin'.....Roger

 

[Chief-John]

Like many others here, I have an awning on the side of my trailer and cook under it. Which leaves my rear ramp-door clear for loading a small motorcycle and other stuff...

 

[swoody126]

Roger's suggestion to research Vargos is sound advice !

they can be quite simple and easy to build while providing much more room for needed amenities

many work a day world folks who carry their tools with them use slide in/out drawers w/ super weight capacities

there are also several DIY slide in/out systems that utilize simple easy sourced items like skateboard bearings

ALSO look for used ambulance and hearse sales

the powered ambulance gurney and hearse casket carts could be a source of inspiration

my 300+# Larduss Bottomuss Maximuss was loaded onto a gurney and raised into a 1-ton ambulance by a small female nurse and a small male driver

the new powered gurneys lower and rise w/ the push of a button then they roll easily and have secure mounts in the box to keep the thing frum moving about while on the road

gurneys also have a sit up feature

lotsa folks are buying the vehicles for utility work vehicles completely outfitted and discarding the gurney systems

just random thoughts

BON CHANCE

sw

 

[Woodbutcher-TNT]

If you have cargo trailers there I would suggest looking into one. With a ramp back door you can roll the wheelchair right up the ramp. Fix an awning or a screen room to the back to keep out rain and bugs. There is a section on cargo conversions on this site

 

[OP827]

Here is another sample of truck bed slideout build for inspiration.
https://youtu.be/xme78gPPsxQ?si=95e6HoEqegvu9PIA

 

[*Inside]

How about something with huge doors like the Kuckoo Camper "Emma"?

This way you'd be able to help your wife in without needing some sort of slide system.

Check out what they do with the kitchen as well - it's just a small drawer that slides out and contains all of the "kitchen"

 

[Westy-TNT]

Hasta, a slightly different approach might be to utilise the bed slide system but mount it to the SIDE of the trailer. This would mean the trailer would be 6 foot + wide and would allow for another bed to be parallel to that bed.
With an awning on the side, your wife would be part of the action from the bed and you traditional kitchen/galley can still be built at the back.
If not the commercial bed slide shown on these pages, there must surely be another type/style available and, if you wife is not very tall, a custom made bed to suit her may be the answer.
Best of luck in your decision.

 

[HastaLaPasta]

Hi all, i am still around absorbing idea's and plans. But for now i am on a camping here in the Netherlands with my wife and daughter and 2 huskies. This is part of my current setup. As you see I haul way to much stuff with me and i want to go further. I figured i bring a tripod with me with the home person winch and the slideout bed trailer i can ditch atleast the shower wheelchair and the stand up help.

Greetings Wim

 

[S. Heisley]

I know of a woman, in her late to mid 70's, who travels by herself while using a wheelchair and camping in a teardrop. She was in an accident and suffers from terrible back pain. She can stand and turn but then has to sit back down as even that short minute of effort is extremely difficult and painful for her. I haven't seen her in a couple years but I remember how she used her wheelchair. It was a fold-up wheelchair and she would help herself out of it and into the teardrop. Then, once inside and sitting near the doorway, she would fold the wheelchair and attach a lift mechanism to it and the mechanism would lift the wheelchair in through the door where it would reside at the bottom of the bed until morning, to keep it safe and out of the weather during the night. I don't know if this would be possible for your wife but, maybe with your help it might be. Maybe just knowing a little about it might give you some ideas?

 

[S. Heisley]

Honestly, seeing what you are presently doing is amazing. You appear to be a very calm, positive person with a lot of intelligence and a wonderful "can-do" attitude. Your wife and daughters are fortunate to have you as their husband and father.

 

[GarySaunders]

Hello all,

I've been researching and delaying my build for ages, but now it has to start!
A little background my name is Wim I'm from the Netherlands and my wife has MS and is in a wheelchair, until now we have been camping with 2 dogs and my daughter in a Sprinter van short wheelbase and a drive away awning.
The living space in the awning is quite small when it rains (it rains a lot here) and i need to move the bed chairs all the time, so I've been thinking to make a tear/square drop just for sleeping 2 persons to gain some more space in the awning.

Now here my issue most diy campers are with a kitchen in the back and my plan is to use a slide out bed that slides out of the back of the camper so i can lift my wife onto the bed and slide the bed inside. so I'm sorta stuck with the construction strength of a bed that slides (with heavy duty drawerslides) out at least 48 inches (120cm).
I haven't even been thinking about my kitchen lay out yet because of that slide out that i want to tackle first.

Greetings, Wim.

 

[GarySaunders]

I think I would use a garage door frame, they are sturdy enough to slide a bed out, not sure of the engineering, but it would be far better than slides at the big box stores. I have saw these in other applications.

 

[HastaLaPasta]

Hello Everyone, Been awhile and i am currently planning on building the teardrop, i got Tony Latham his book and my trailer fits the dimensions sorta, there is one small caveat and that is my trailer needs to incorporate the square tubing frame and i already got an idea to fix that. But what i am wondering is the floor it already has a waterproof floor (i don't want to grind the welds flat) and i want to build on top of it should i make a floor with a bottom plate or can i just build the inner floor frame with the xps insulation on top of the existing floor and then put a top plate over it? I attached a picture of a similar trailer that i have.

Anyone any idea's?

Regards, Wim