Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Here are some of my beginning ideas for a possible Widget build. I appologize if they have been brought up already. I have searched and have not found much info.
4x8 HF 1800 lbs trailer. I am planning to not chop it up rather, just alter the shape of the two bottom corners of the Widget profile to meet the 8ft length of the HF trailer. Does anybody see any problems with this?
3/8" ply for the walls. No interior skin.
1/4" Luan for roof. No interior skin on ceiling.
3/4" ply for floor. (Is this overkill?)
Typical resin coating for water proofing and fiber glass to reinforce joints.
Do these ideas seem adequate? Any recs?
Thanks everyone.

I've already done drawings of exactly this idea. Here's the side view:



To make it look right, you need to use curves at the front and back - if you just draw straight lines from the original shape, they will look like hollows. I'll be happy to draw out the modified profile if you let me know you're interested.

As with the modified HF trailer PDF on the Widget page, the trailer will ride somewhat higher than the original (84" high excl roof vent) - though you can reduce that by flipping the axle. However the greater ride height means that you could increase the depth of the dropped footwell by a couple of inches for some more headroom, if you wanted.

The footwell of the Widget is a problem with the HF trailer, as this plan drawing shows:



The bottom half of the drawing shows the unmodifed HF trailer and you can see that the second cross-member cuts through the footwell. You really need to relocate that cross-member 8" further back, as shown in the top half of the drawing, which should be just a drilling operation.

To build a Widget within the 1450lb empty/1650lb laden of the weight estimate (and the HF doesn't leave you any spare), you're going to have to keep the weight down. 3/8" single-skin for the walls sounds fine, though you'll still need the framing to hold it straight, 3/4" for the floor is unnecessary (indeed you could go below 1/2" under the bunks). I'll let others say whether you can bend 1/4" for the roof.

Andrew

That sorta looks like my trailer! Good design!

Joe

I thought a "widget" was the plastic ball inside a Guiness can that injects it with nitrogen to give it that draft taste... ?

Joseph

Andrew,
Thanks for the input/drawings. Very helpful. I'd love to get my hands on any modified drawings that you could come up with as I don't think I have the computer know-how to modify the Widget profile. In regards to the cross member/drop floor issue, I'f I relocate the cross member 8" rearward as you say, should I add a cross member to the trailer for the front of the drop box ( or is the floor framing enough)? I was thinking a wood cross member would be sufficient. Also, 1/2" ply for the floor sounds like it is the way to go however, do you think 1/2" ply for the drop-floor-box is strong/durable enough? I tend to over build things (for peice of mind) and I know building a trailer is a delicate dance between strength and weight, so all of your input is very helpful!

Joseph wrote:I thought a "widget" was the plastic ball inside a Guiness can that injects it with nitrogen to give it that draft taste... ?

Joseph

Joe,
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/widget
I think I'm confused.....
No mention of beer...

josephhanson wrote:That sorta looks like my trailer! Good design!

Joe

Do you have any pictures? I'd love to see them...

Pelf, I'll add that job to my slop chit. Send me a pm with your email address. I think 1/2" is good for all the floor.

I got taught that the origin of the word 'widget' was to describe the things, usually toys/games made of plastic, that are given away inside corn flakes packets. I've got absolutely no proof this is true, but it gives me pleasure.

But Joseph is right about the name being used by Guinness for their head-maker - one of those blindingly clever things that are so obvious....... once someone's made the first one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widget_%28beer%29

Andrew

It looks alot like my trailer too, build it like the 'Lil Guy in the vintage plans section, I think its under 1000lbs.


......Bob

Here's a widget that was at the Last Gasp Gathering in September.

I believe it weighed in at just under 1500#. The couple that built it had some background in yacht building and the interior was beautiful. They had trouble bending around the back curve and ended up using masonite after breaking numerous sheets of plywood. I think they had a trailer frame made rather than using the HF version. I have photos of the interior if you're interested...
Bruce

bdosborn wrote: I have photos of the interior if you're interested...
Bruce

Hey Bruce!

How about posting them?! I'd be interested in seeing them. I'm not ready for a new build yet, but I am interested in seeing different ideas and layouts.

Joanne

Here's 20 photos Ron sent me of his Widget, both finished and in building:

http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/i ... photos.zip

This 1.25Mb file is temporary and will be removed in a week or two.

Andrew

pELF28p wrote:

Joseph wrote:I thought a "widget" was the plastic ball inside a Guiness can that injects it with nitrogen to give it that draft taste... ?
Joseph

Joe,
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/widget
I think I'm confused.....
No mention of beer...

You didn't look hard enough - Here ya go.

I was at a Christmas party hosted by our UK contingent last Friday and they served Boddington's, also with the widget inside.

Joseph
(NOT Joe)

Joanne,

Sorry for the delay, 'tis that season to be busy. Here's a panorama of the Widget interior taken from the door (hope this works):


This picture gives you a better idea of the interior layout.

Bruce

Thanks Andrew and Bruce! That's a cute little trailer. It's just big enough to comfortably get out of some bad weather. Nice layout. I still like my outside galley!

Joanne