mini caboose camper

[Shadow Catcher]

West Side Lumber company had some rather unique home made cabooses including http://www.westernrailwaypreservation.o ... oose3.html
there are some good pictures of the interior of this one. Also on the same site is a restored (including interior) SVR http://www.westernrailwaypreservation.org/caboose3.html

[K9Kampers]

This is a really exciting design concept! I've been dreaming up similar concepts with a tugboat theme and run into the same challenges as you have.

... My design as it stands would be rather heavy (depending on materials and construction techniques used) and would never live in the garage. The curved roof is fun, but the raised cupola portion would push a lot of wind. I made major porch overhangs because that is a design element you expect to see in a caboose. But also, this is not anything approaching aerodynamic efficiency.

At this point I would probably not want a lift up roof. If I was to build a caboose, it would need to look like a caboose while it was on the road. A fold down or crank down cupola roof would make that impossible. So I've never really considered an adjustable roof. . .

As far as trying to maintain some kind of aerodynamic efficiency, that is a compromise with a design like this. Vents in the curved roof of the front overhang could help reduce trapped air. A removable plexiglass wedge placed on the roof in front of the raised cabin could streamline, maintain the "look" while traveling, and be knocked-down & stowed while parked.

Looking forward to see how this project develops... keep it going!!!

[PanelDeland]

I'm probably one of the "Lucky Few" or the "Cronologically Challenged" who has had the opoutunity to ride (and sleep) in a Caboose.I was born into a railroad family,raised in a RR town and slept less than a hundred feet from the tracks(in the crew change area) for most of my pre-adult life.Some of the near in acreages of the town had old cabooses for the RR crews to sleep in.I rode in the caboose a couple of times with my maternal grandfather to go to my Paternal grandfathers for a visit.Quite a veiw from the cupola and the rythm of an "Old Style train" ride is indescribeable.At the time the rail cars were still the old pullman passenger cars with the ornate wrought iron and velour seats.
My natural grandfather,my grandfather(mom's step dad and the only one I ever knew),my uncle,and 5-6 of my great uncles were all RR men.

The idea of a Travel caboose is intriguing and I hope you build it.It will be a true conversation piece and will have to be garaged.Otherwise you will probably never get any slepp.

[K9Kampers]

In opposition to my above reply, I say don't worry about designing this project for aerodynamic efficiency! A real caboose isn't really efficient in that way because it is designed for a function. Most RVs and TTs aren't aerodynamic because they are designed for a function. I suspect this rig will be parked when in use more than it will be when being towed.

Yes, one could design a caboose style trailer that is aerodynamically efficient and functional, but would be lacking in it's intended character. Focus on the function and character, they will yield more gains than aerodynamics.

[Stealth TDI]

Thanks for your comments, K9K! I've copied them into my little design sheet where I'm planning my caboose. That way I'll see them and be reminded of why I want a caboose instead of something more traditional.

[seabee74]

my take on the caboose


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[seabee74]

just finished

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[GPW]

That's Very Nice !!!

[2bits]

I just stumbled across this vintage photo of a caboose style camper!

Ton's of other vintage camping pictures:
http://mredsewingroom.blogspot.ca/