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How wide can I go?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:11 pm
by Deryk the Pirate
Im really wanting something Vardo'ish. My car can only tow a 1000 lbs (PT Cruiser) Im thinking a Ledge style camper which useing a HF 4x8 trailer is the cheapest way to go... although I have to take a ride over to a trailer dealer near where I wanna build it, they have scratched trailers cheaper...

What I really want is 6 foot wide, 4.5' tall and 8 feet long. I want to sleep across the back and Im 5'10... yeah 6'4" is nicer bed length,but I think I can survive.

Now if I take it and stretch it to a 5 foot wide trailer thats 6" on each side...well will takeing it 6 more inches blow me away with drag? Im really certain I can build it and keep it under 700 lbs

thanks
deryk

PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:18 pm
by mikeschn
the Escape Hatch is a 66" wide trailer, 10' long. It was about 800#.

Mike...

PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:23 pm
by Miriam C.
Mine is 76" wide and we sleep well across. Mike is about 6'2". The wider you make it the heavier it will be. 8)

PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:26 pm
by Deryk the Pirate
I would be willing to shorten her to 7 feet long, just more traditional with the bed across the back... ah have to sit and play with numbers...

PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:46 pm
by mikeschn
What is your tow vehicle...

If you make it too wide, your drag will go up quite a bit.

the best is to make it skinny and low and long...


Mike...

PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:20 pm
by Deryk the Pirate
I have a PT Cruiser. Only a 1000 lbs tow capacity. Thats what I was wondering about the drag issue/effect. I want at least a full sized mattress, so its more comfortable inside if I get "lucky" lol

PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:31 pm
by dh
:lol: there you go, build 8' wide, 4' long :lol:

please do not take this post seriousely, just the mental picture makes me laugh.

PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 11:03 pm
by Deryk the Pirate
Ok, thanks guys.... min 4'6" for a double sized, or 5'. Yeah it was a nice fantasy but thats what I was concerned was the drag factor... if I had my friends monster truck I wouldnt worry but my ol PT really doesnt want to be so abused lol.

thanks!

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:01 am
by Ageless
There was at least one trailer with a slide-out to gain more foot room. Just food for thought

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:36 am
by Deryk the Pirate
Yeah I did think about it, but next build when 1 day I have a job lol and get my next car something with a 6 cylinder so I can make something a little bigger. Not too big but a little more room.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 12:26 pm
by Mightydog
Ageless wrote:...slide-out to gain more foot room.


...or a well placed window?

I still like the idea of the 8-foot wide by 4-foor long trailer!

PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:18 pm
by mikeschn
I think you can build a Vardoish 66" wide trailer that can by towed by you PT Cruiser.

Keep the length at 8' and build carefully, and you could be at just under 800 pounds.

Just my thoughts...

Mike...

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:15 am
by glenpinpat
my tear is 6.3 feet wide and eight feet long. my dry weight is 670.00 my wet weight is 820.00 depending on how much water I need to bring. The trailer I used was a jayco pop up that I stripped. it was short 8 feet by 3 inches so I had it welded to 8 feet