Updated Design as of 8-12-12

[Gnaatz1]

Here is my updated profile for my larger TD.

My frame will end up right now being 10 foot 6" long, by 73" wide. Tires still outside main compartment. Still planning on a foldable bunk coming out from the back partition between the Galley and sleeping quarters. The Front of the trailer at this time is about 30" deep, but this is still in the planning phase, so that could change...Height is still at max of 5 foot, so I can put my canoe on top. The door will swing open toward the front of the trailer, not sure about having two doors; what do most of you think about that?

Please give me your thoughts on my updated profile compared to my first one...

Thanks,

gnaatz1

[danlott]

Your design is starting to look a lot like the 2+2H designed by Andrew. Here is a link to a 3D drawing of it. It is a very good design and I think it would fit what you are looking for, plus all the hard work of designing is done already.

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=49150



As for your current design I like the profile. I do think you are wasting space in the galley area. The counter top and galley wall is set to far forward. You can bring it back several inches to free up more space in the main cabin area. Also the storage area in the front seems awkward to me.



It would also help if you posted all of your design ideas in one topic post. So far you have posted 3 different designs in 3 different locations. It makes it hard to follow your design ideas and to give constructive feedback.

Check out Andrews design for the 2+2H. Also give us an idea of how you plan to use your trailer and how many people will be sleeping in it. Do you have an existing frame that you are trying to use or will you be building one?

Dan

[Gnaatz1]

I will be building a frame for it...

I thought about this design (2 x 2) before and don't exactly like the profile...I like more of the Grumman style I guess- just stretched out a bit.

My plan would be for it to primarily sleep two, but could sleep one more average size person or kid (being only 72" wide inside). I am thinking of a fold down hammock/cot settup where it would be able to support up to 200 lbs, but could also be used for gear/clothes, belongings when not needed for sleeping on.

As for the little bit of extra space/depth in the rear galley area...I could use it for storing a canopy and roll up table?

Underneath the galley counter would be a blue water storage container with pump, a small 1000 watt Yamaho generator (lengthwise) and my 54 qt cooler (on a slide out). Counter would have a small camping sink (for doing dishes). Space for a two burner Propane stove. I am thinking the height of the counter to be at normal counter height from standing on the ground.

As for the front of the camper...Closet area two sides (for hanging items), a center computer shelf, mirror), below the closet, six inches up...shelving for shoes. About the closet, more shelving for odds and ends...

The rear panel separating the galley and main compartment will become part of the support for cot/shelf area that folds out.
I think if I use good wood and glue some wood together I can get a square, then turn down the outside pieces (on a lathe) to fit into closet rod brackets.. I can add support with cut -outs on the square part of the rod (to support weight needed).

Does this make any sense??

Thanks,

gnaatz1

[danlott]

I think I have an understanding of what you are wanting. I do think you could fit all of what you are wanting in a smaller trailer. Your current design is almost 15 feet long and that is just the body of the teardrop. I think you could fit what you are wanting is a trailer that is 12 to 13 feet long.

Another thing to think about is where the top of your floor will be. Will the side walls sit on top of the floor, will they extend down to cover the floor, will they cover the foor and frame?

I think 3/4 insulation in the floors and walls should be enough. I would go with 1 1/2" in the roof. These thickness need to be figured in your design.

I had over 5 different versions of my design before I started my build. I even changed the profile after I started. Keep refining your design and needs and you will end up with the trailer design that works best for you.

If you would like I can mess around with your design in SketchUp and show you what I am thinking.

Dan

[danlott]

Here is what I came up with in SketchUp. Your design is actually closer to a Cub profile than the Grumman.





I believe this is close to what you are looking for. The overall dimensions of the side is 12.5 feet long by 5 feet tall.

The layout that I did would have access doors on the outside for the storage area between the galley and the bed. You can usually find these doors on ebay or you could make them. You could also just have access to this area from either the galley area or the main cabin. I believe access from the galley area would be very awkward with the slide out cooler that you want.

The cot is 32" wide. The main bed would be 72" by 76" in you go with a 6 foot wide trailer. The cot is canvas, but you could go with a double folding platform that would fold up against the galley wall and then lay flat on support strips on the side walls.

Hope this helps.

Dan

[Gnaatz1]

Dan,

Thank you for doing that Sketchup thing...I think I downloaded that program (free version) to my newer computer, but have not a clue on how to used it...Never had auto cad or anything of the sort.

Could you do a similar design with a grumman profile...

Only change the galley...I am not interested in side door access.

On the left side looking at the galley (three dividers that support the main counter) I have a sink mounted in the countertop, below that is one or two 7 gallon blue water jugs with drop in battery operated pump. In the next divider I have stored lengthwise my Yamaha ES1000 inverter/generator. And in the far right bigger divider I have my pullout deal that has my 54 qt steel sided coleman cooler.

I will attempt to attach a pic...with my current layout of the galley (our view if working at it).

Oh..I need my cabin to hold a queen bed 84 x 54 I think...???

I appreciate your help and advice... How did you do your TD? Mount the sides on top of the frame or on the side of the frame?

gnaatz1

[danlott]

I can do it with the Grumman profile. I am still confused about your bed size. If you have a 6 foot wide teardrop than the interior space will be 72" wide. A standard queen size bed is 60" x 80". What do you plan on doing with the 12" of extra space?

Dan

[danlott]

Ok here is the Grumman profile. The side walls would still be 5 feet tall by 12 1/2 feet long.



The galley is 36" deep. The bed is 84" long. A California king size mattress is 72" wide by 84" long, which is the floor area you would have inside the main cabin. The cot is 32" wide. The fold down cot idea would use an offset piano hinge and could fold flat against the galley wall when not in use. The cot is shown in both the down position and the up position.

I also included a side profile of your cooler on a slide tray to get an idea of the space it takes up. Accessing the storage space behind the cooler will not be easy. If you do not want doors on the outside then the next best way would be from the cabin area.

Dan

[Gnaatz1]

Danlot,

Thanks - hard decision on which profile I like better...is there anyway to combine the two styles into one? I like most of the profile of the Grumman, but really love more the curve Cub Galley area. I just like that rear part of the cub profile (galley section)..., but need it combined with the grumman main 3/4 body style... forward of the galley.

I see your point on the galley issue, and floor space in the cabin...Just thought I would have 9 inches on each side of the bed to put your shoes, slippers, etc.

I had thought about a cot system close that yours a while ago...but mine had a piano hinge that folded over onto itself to become a shelf...but would have your support system on each side wall. I decided to go with the canvas system, because I thought it would end up being a bit lighter. My thoughts are... you could use the cot area for odds and ends storage when camping. If it is a six foot wide cabin wall to opposite wall... most people could utilize the bunk in a pinch?

As per my plans right now...depth on my galley counter is only 30-32", leaving four to six inches behind it for stowage of rolled up tables, support poles, etc... At least that's what I am thinking it could be used for.

I really appreciate your help with this...THANKS!!!

[danlott]

Ok here are several profiles. All are the same size overall.

The first one has a Grumman front and most of the back part is the Cub profile. With the Cub rear end it takes usuable space away from the design, so the bed is 80" long.




The second profile has about half Grumman and half Cub. Again this design has an 80" bed.




Another option might be to consider a different profile. This is the Travelear profile created by Dave McCam. I enlarged it to the same size as the other profiles. This rear end of this design allows more usuable space and also allows more headroom in the front of the trailer, in your case it would allow more closet space. This drawing has an 84" bed, but if you went with an 80" bed then the closet could be bigger.



Dan

[Gnaatz1]

Gee Wiz!

Making a decision on a profile is not an easy one...

Thank you for all those profiles... I will have to study them more and come up with one that fits my ideas.

gnaatz1

[Gnaatz1]

Dan,

Could you take my plan and make it into a NEW CUB profile....I think I like that profile best...Just has the right sort of curves for me...

I looked at 4" mattresses on line just a minute ago...80" x 60" are the dimensions of a queen...That is what I will put in the main cabin...

For the forward closet area...starting 6" above the floor will be the lower cabinet area for shoes, slippers, etc. Above that at in the biggest part of the forward curve (max depth of 24" I think) will be the hanging closet portion for shirts/jackets, etc). Above that will be more shelving for odds and ends..

So the forward closet shelf space will be divided into three sections across...Closet/cabinets - then space for mirror with a lower foldout table (computer), - then identicle closet/cabinets on the other side. I have a rough drawing, but cannot find it at this time...

So, do you think two doors are needed or is just one fine?

I need to learn this sketchup program...Is it hard to figure out?

Got to go to bed...have to work in the A.M - six days in a row...

Take care and thank you for all those design profiles...

gnaatz1

[danlott]

Sorry with all the profiles I am not sure which one is the NEW CUB profile.

The first, third or forth profile that I did?

Dan

[Gnaatz1]

Dan,

Not a problem...it is confusing...

I just think I like the CUB profile best.. Will have to rethink the Galley setup...so I don't waste space.

Here's what the "New" Cub profile is under this site's design resources...See attached...

Thank you...

gnaatz1