Starting a thread to share 2 + 2 design ideas

[Archeo Robert]

Norm,

Thanks for you comments its nice to have a sounding board on this forum
and recieve encouragement and constructive input. I think all the fun is in building or finding something with that "je ne sais quoi".
I like your Hudson I'll bet thats fun to drive around.

Robert

[mezmo]

Hey Robert,

'Thanx for yer Thanx'.

Unfortunately the Hudson isn't mine. It's a 'research' pic I
added for a post to Wierdnerd's thread on his TD since I thought
his TD looked very similar to a step-down Hudson and that one of
them would make him a "perfect" TV.

I do remember when they were on the road though. And one of
my Great Uncles had one once way back then. The Independent
auto manufacturers often had some unique designs, back in the days
when autos weren't so homogeneous looking.

And continued good luck in your designing build. The TTT or 'slouchy' with
the rear outdoor galley still fits your bill best I think - but only you will
really know. I do recall seeing that design somewhere once - I believe it
was in one of those vintage trailer plan compilations - but i can't find
anything on it at the moment. Anyway it's a sound design and just tweek
it to fit your needs - e.g. make sure the galley depth is what you need
for what you plan to put in the galley and such and so on.

Happy planning, happy building and happy camping!

Norm

[J.Heyboer]

Robert,

I am in the process of building this:



Its 6' feed wide by 12.5' long by 5' tall and 6' tall when standing in the drop floor.

My wife and I are short so we will be able sleep crosswise on the fold down dinette.

This is what I am thinking now but I may change to a cot style for one or two of the kids. I hoping to be able to build all of the beds such that they can be put away or converted to sitting space during the day.

My kitchen will be in a slide-out on the back end of the trailer where the galley normally would be.

John....

[Archeo Robert]

Norm,

I'm trying to get familar with all the terms. I am guessing that the design I am working on would be a "Slouchy". I am still looking at the needed depth for a small galley and adding a few more inches in the final design wouldn't be a problem. My Grand father had a 53 Studebaker Commander when I was young its not a Hudson but was fun to ride in.
I guess that why people like teardrops and that old time nostalgia.

Robert

[Archeo Robert]

John,

Wow! your project looks a fine adventure it will be fun to follow your progress. When I was young my father turned a 66 chevy van into the family camping assault vechicle. It had the mom & dad bed plus a couple of cots (2 pipes sleeved in canvas) I slept across the front seats in the front window area and my 2 older brothers in a pop up box on top of the van. My mom sewed the four boys matching shirts and boy did we hit the road. I think a little camp trailer is an awesome way to create fine memories.

Good luck,

Robert

[roadtripray]

It had the mom & dad bed plus a couple of cots (2 pipes sleeved in canvas)

I, too am thinking of something along the lines of a Campster-type design. I thought about the cot idea for the top bunk, but wasn't sure how hard it would be to sew canvas strong enough to support someone sleeping. How big of a person could sleep in such a bunk arrangement?

I've been thinking along the lines of a hinged top solid bunk that would flip down to become the backrest of the lower bunk for a settee. But I have thought about the "sling" type cot as well.

- Ray

[angib]

...but wasn't sure how hard it would be to sew canvas strong enough to support someone sleeping. How big of a person could sleep in such a bunk arrangement?

Here is a British Army officer's camp bed that I made a new 'canvas' for. You will see that it screws on at seven points down the inside of the frame - a ghastly stress raiser but this takes my 240lb weight, though I don't go bouncing on it.



So a canvas that attached all along its length to sleeves over poles can be safely allowed to carry any person that can get into it. The poles will fail before the canvas does.

I went to a local tent and awning repair company to get this material - the difficult bit was getting a jute bag in good condition from which the reinforcements were cut. In case anyone is still awake, here is the folded-away camp bed with the bedding compartment door open, plus the 100-year-old Singer that sewed the canvas without any problem.

[Archeo Robert]

Andrew's officer's camp bed is very interesting what a fun piece of history.

My fathers cots on the van were simple in comparison.
As I recall the canvas was hemmed around the edges then
folded in on the sides and stitched leaving a slot to slide the
pipe into. It was likely done by a local awning shop. I am
sure that the stitching can be reinforced to meet most needs.

Robert

[Dusty82]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not a professional upholsterer - I do upholstery as a hobby out of my garage. I do have some experience working with canvas though.

Most canvas cots were made of 8oz cotton duck canvas, and it's not difficult to sew. Most home sewing machines have a lot more power than most folks give them credit for. An 8oz cotton duck canvas is comparable to denim - in some cases it's lighter than denim, depending on the quality of the denim. Speaking of which, denim would work just fine for a cot canvas too, if you happen upon a nice looking bolt of the fabric. With the newer man-made materials, the options are many. Just about any fabric made for an awning would work just fine.

If you go the cotton canvas route, I'd go with a #69 cotton thread and, if you're using a home sewing machine, I'd use the biggest needle made for your machine. For an industrial machine, a size 17 needle would do it. I'd shoot for 4-5 stitches per inch and sew each seam twice for added strength (the second line of stitching about 1/16 - 1/8 of an inch to the outside of the first.)

If you go the man-made fabric route, try to match the thread to the fabric - i.e. polyester thread with polyester fabric, nylon thread with nylon fabric, etc... The prices are similar - within just a few cents of one another.

[angib]

Most canvas cots were made of 8oz cotton duck canvas, and it's not difficult to sew.

Actually, I would say it is a real pleasure to sew - OK, I'm a man and if I could sew with a nail gun, I would, but the canvas lies really flat and it's more like passing cardboard through a table saw!

[Archeo Robert]

After looking over the many posibilities I have been considering a smaller option. It would be easieer to get started
on a smaller model and learn a few things before going bigger and my boys are 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 would likely fit for a few years.
The following drawings give a basic idea of where my mind has drifted.
The basic goal is to create a smaller model that could still sleep younger children.
Then when we out grow this one sell it and build the larger model.
It would probably be 5' + wide I believe that my wife and I can manage on a full sized mattress.
I would like the kids cots or cushions to be able to fold out of the way.
And as the 2nd picture illustrates it would be fun to have a quick release mechanism to reconfigure them into a bench.
I listed the basic dimensions and would welcome any input as to what may or may not be workable from others experience.

Thanks, Robert

[Breezy13]

I am just starting my build, have the HF trailer on the way. I have a young daughter and someday another(kid). I'm looking at the same build, and like your last idea, but I think I'm going to put a drop down floor where your feet would go while sitting around the table. Then have a convertible bed/seat in the front and a fold down where the table would go. anyone else have one of these build already?