cluttonfred wrote:I am surprised to hear folks recommend essentially "bigger is better" in a forum for Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers. The appeal of a small, light teardrop trailer for me is that it can be so much more economical than a larger trailer including the size and efficiency of the tow vehicle. The Maverick's 1500 lb load capacity and 2000 lb towing capacity in even the base model seem very workable to me if you keep those limits in mind. I took the suggestion of the flatbed trailer conversion video as inspiration only. I have also found a number of videos on foamie and traditional designs that gave me some ideas, including pop tops though I would prefer a simpler fixed design if I can make it work. I could also see a mostly fixed design with a pop top only to provide headroom over a small standing area.
I think you might be misinterpreting intent. I don't see folks saying bigger is better. Rather what I am saying, and others here seem to be saying is be cautious in design decisions made to convert this new mini truck platform to a camper. It absolutely can be done, but many traditional construction materials and methods will quickly add up to weight the Maverick is not built for, and the unibody design poses some camper design challenges that can, and should be overcome with smart design choices.
This is why I recommended that foamie construction be looked at. It's light, and easily worked with to overcome the design challenges the bodywork on the Maverick may pose...
The cross ways bed arrangement will allow what the OP is looking for, as would a hi top camper shell and one of those truck bed tent extensions, or tarp rigs to enclose the tailgate down / liftgate up sleeping configuration.
WIth the Maverick being a brand new platform to work with, entirely new territory is being walked into, and I for one am intrigued to see how the issues this platform poses for builders and how they work around them.
I would go 100% with the KISS principle, and take every ounce into consideration. Don't use for example a 2 burner liquid fuel COleman stove when you can use an isobutate backpackers stove at a few mere ounces. Design and gear choices that work with the platform...