Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Consider in concept the bed in a teardrop for the most part it is the inside of the trailer.

The bigger the trailer the more space and use of space.

Consider the Murphy Bed. I had an studio apt. in Milwaukee, Wisc. that had one. the real thing. it disappeared into the closet.

Now a days it has come back in a big way and it might help those who are looking for a place to sleep and a place to read or eat.

if you google it in images you will see all kinds ... here are some that might interest you. Some might work when you need storage when one the road. if you have a trailer like mine that is a square back and opens like a cargo trailer.
this might be to heavy but liter parts might work.
http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010 ... ed_20.html
the moving shelf
http://www.flyingbeds.com/16.computr/1- ... -facts.htm
Table to bed watch video
http://thedisneyblog.com/2012/06/19/dis ... rom-table/
or for those who do not want to watch

wonder if this could be done with bed on side?
or just beds in wall


nighty night
Ron

Be a good system for a younger person who could easily lift the bed. Don't think it would work too well in my 4 x 9. Would think it would add too much weight though to be practical in a lightweight camper.

Thanks for the links.

I've been kicking around the idea of a side fold murphy bed (twin size) for my next build.

Tom

I"ve already incorporated a side hinged full size murphy bed in my current build.

One of the considerations is that your trailer floor to ceiling height must be slightly more than the width of the bed. If mounting longways, then the length of the bed. Longways would allow walk around space on each side to the extent the trailer is wider than the bed but require close to 7 foot floor to ceiling height allowing 75 inches for the mattress length, 2-3 inches for the bed frame surround and clearance for the arc when operating.

Another considerations is the pivot point. If using a standard hinge at the floor that will be the height of the bed frame. There is hardware that will raise the pivot point as the bed folds out.

I mounted mine on a bulkhead approximately 18 inches high (1/3 the width of the bed) so the height of the bed frame is approx 18 inches from the floor. This provides enough counterbalance so the bed is easily lifted. I measured with a fish scale and it was less than 15 pounds. The bed frame is 1/2 inch plywood reinforced with 1/3 edges and two 1x6 crossbraces where the hinges attach.



In use the bed frame will rest on benches on either side of the trailer and a fold down table top will be attached to the underside of the bed.

The downside is the usefulness of the space required for the arc is somewhat limited. I plan to use the upper wall behind the bed for hanging clothes and the lower for shoe/boot storage.


The net result is the saving of approx 40 inches length of floor space when the bed is folded up. Another advantage over converting a dinette into a bed is you don't have to make it up before and after each time you use it.

A smaller trailer I designed but never built had two 28 inch wide murphy beds side hinged from each sidewall. They could be used together to form a full or a single with a tabletop folding down from the other. With both folded up the floor space lost was only the thickness of the mattress on each wall.

This provided over 100 cubic feet of cargo area or permitted transport of one ATV, 2 dirt bikes or 4 bicycles plus some additional gear.

Overall trailer width was 5 feet and sidewall height 4 feet with the beds hinged at the floor.

Entry to the trailer was through a pair of barn doors at the rear. There was an escape hatch window at the front. The entire galley was mounted to the doors which opened 180 degrees. Overall length of the trailer was 8 feet - 6-1/2 feet for the beds, 1-1/2 feet for the galley

There are several CT conversions built somewhat this way.

M C

Here's a link to some pics of a 1955 Little Gem with a Murphy bed.
The bed is about halfway down in the pics. Note the bed is hinged
on the ends of the seat bases,

https://plus.google.com/photos/10741252 ... banner=pwa

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

Hey, Norm!

That Li'l Gem has quite the set-up ... it's given me some ideas to ponder ... ...! Thanks for the link!

CHEERS!

Hmm.. I am thinking that is a very good use of space in the gem. You could put storage under those bench seats. In the case of a build in a td the bed could rest on the wheel well covers if the td is wide enough..

You're welcome Grant.

The much smaller Little Gem Bugg also has it.
http://littlegemrenovate.blogspot.com/
[Second page and other pages show it.]

What I like about the murphy bed for camping is, the ability to
have a fully made-up bed for only the effort of opening a 'big door'
[if it is set up and balanced right],and without the 'hassle' of converting a dinette
or gaucho - I just find the ridges from butting up the separate cushions
together to be annoying, especially when they separate and dump you onto the
hard base.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

Some old-time yachts had "pipe berths", consisting of a heavy pipe frame supporting a canvas bed, much like a military cot. In some installations the inner supports were pivots and the berth was supported by chains at the outer ends, allowing the whole thing to fold up against the bulkhead.

The beauty of something like this is the ease and economy of fabrication. The only specialized metal part are the two pivot/supports, and they can be as simple as eye bolts of the proper diameter.

here is another type bed I found on a VW site.

http://iamsamthevan.blogspot.com/2009/1 ... fabed.html