new user with some plans

[saltydawg]

Hello all, my name is Scott. I saw a thread on another web site that had a link to this place, and I am Kind of hooked.

I am camper, hiker, sailor as well as other hobbies. I did at one time own a 19 foot old travel trailer, which I got for a great price, but did not travel far due to my truck was boarder line on towing the trailor. I now normally do my camping in a hammock, with my wIfe also in a hammock.

Well as much as I love camping packing the suv full is not much fun. So I think its time for a smaller trailer.

I saw a video of the UEV 490, which I love the design, it is way more money than I could afford, I also dont like popups due to I do cold and hot weather camping. So I have designed a TTT, well not really a tear, but close enough. I really like the look of sawtoothxl, but need more room that just a bed, for the wife. Also sense I am the camper among my friends I pretty much supply everything but tents and sleeping bags, so extra space I need.

My design is my twist on the UEV 490, it measure 6 by 10, so I can base it off of a 5 by 10 trailer. inside height will be around 5 foot, possibly with a pop up roof similar to the UEV. It is designed also to be able to go light to moderate off road, by the shape and ground clearence.

It will have a queen size bed in a hybrid type design, with a pop out front to move the bed forward to give it some floor space. It will also have a couch in the back, that could sleep 2 kids or one adult. Also it will have a slide out kitchen Like the UEV 490, with extra counter space and in a fold down counter over the tire, that will also be a pantry. It is also designed to have planned space for lots of storage, plenty of water ( I want a min of 25 gallons ).

well here are some sketch up pics, which I only have about 1 hour total with and that was drawing this.

drivers side


inside view

[aggie79]

SD,
Welcome! That is a nice design you have there. I really like the slide out galley.
Take care,
Tom

[Boodro]

You might wanna check out the design library here. It has lots of plans. good luck! Its under design resources at the top of the page.

[GPW]

Looks Perfect for a Foamie ...

[saltydawg]

Sorry, no foamie here.

It will be a SIP construction with frp for an outer skin, that will be vac laminated to the foam core. I will probably have a very basic and light frame to attach the panels to, more of a simple skeleton, than a frame. The panels will be epoxy bonded to the frame, as well as rivited. I am also debating using trex or another poly lumber around openings, to avoid any rot. The way I want it is, the only wood will be removable, ie cabinets or shelves.

I have experience with epoxy and glass, as well as repairing and working on boats. I work for a company that does metal fab as part of what they do. I am an electrician by trade.

I an leaning to making my own frame, or at least having my work make it, that way it is what I want, the way I want it.

[mezmo]

Hi saltydawg,

Why not use aluminum angle a/o tube for the minimal body frame?
Since where you work handles metal fab too, you should be able to
source it I'd assume.

The new Cricket TTT uses a combo of both and attaches its composite/
aluminum and foam sandwich panels to that minimal framework. Looks
like they use rivets and probably an epoxy-like glue as well in the construction.
Check out the 'Cricket Craft' images in the image gallery.

http://crickettrailer.com/image-gal.html

The Trex type materials aren't really rigid enough to use for framing
purposes in my view.

Happy planning, and good luck with the build,

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[saltydawg]

Norm, First the trex will not be structural, it will be for coping corners where I need round corners and for when I need something solid to screw thru, ie door hinges.

Also I would do Al but we only have one guy that does tig work on AL and he is never in the shop. basicly the steel tube will only be in the corners where two panels come together. and around doors and any point where I need some more strength, ie the pop out bed area and spare tire area. The panels will be self supporting so the frame will not be needed for that. I would guess there will be about 50 pounds of steel, in the skeleton.

I will be doing basicly all the bonding with epoxy, the rivits will be more for trim and holding panels until the epoxy cures.

[parnold]

What kind of crazy person would build a trailer with a slide out galley?

[Shadow Catcher]

Compass Rose uses 1 X 1.5 X .060 aluminum which held up amazingly well in the accident