Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Does anyone sleep with their head towards the rear/galley?

Reason I'm asking, as I place the stringers/bulkheads, I am working on placing my air con, and it seems the best place is to tongue mount it. Of course, I am concerned with the noise of the unit being right near my head, and my wife doesn't like the idea of the ac blowing right on her head (Not too sure I'm real big on that idea either). Don't want to mount it in the galley, loose too much space, and I have been playing with different type of air diverters to blow the air upward, this of course is where I got to the idea of maybe sleeping head to back, but I have concerns of how to build the galley cabinets then.

Thanks for the thoughts/comments.

Earl

"Loader"

Earl,

If I'm not mistaken, "arnereil" sleeps in that orinentation for the same reasons. Maybe Arne will join in and tell us about it?

I would think the cabinets would need to be either omitted, or moved to the front, and the doors would have to be moved back to enter/exit comfortably. Then the axel might need to be moved back to allow the doors to be moved back.

As a possible alternative, take a look at the last page in my gallery at how I've plummed in an AC unit with dryer hose which allows the cold air to enter from the rear and keep the galley space as well.

Yes, half way through the build, she-who-must-be-obeyed said, 'bad idea having the dog run over the bed', so went the other way. Head to back, A/C in front.... probably best seen at:

http://www.freewebs.com/teardrop-stuff

Here is pic with door open for a/c use.... it closes for travel to protect a/c.



I'm going to pass along a few thoughts. I'm real close to starting no. 2...... several reasons, but current tear with galley in back and a/c, tv, heater, vcr/dvd player in front, A lot of mass is at either end of tear. This is not good. The absolute best way is to have all mass right over the axle. Impossible, of course.

The next best way is to have max mass as close to axle as possible. The further the mass is away from pivot point, the more inertia it has. So, right now, my trailer is a good example of bad mass location.... It tows fine in a straight line, but if I give the steering wheel a good wiggle to one side and the other, all that badly located mass gets moving.... now, it is not dangerous. It does not get any oscilating going, but it sure does swing..... as soon as I straighten the wheel, it all goes right back where it belongs.. and all is fine....... and a note, the tongue weight is right on.

Anyway, no. 2 will have all heavy stuff at the back end, and the door will be in the middle of the side wall, so the dog won't be romping over the pillows to get to her bed. And our heads will be to front.

As far as the a/c, it works great located at our feet, and beyond the dog bed..... a great additon to our comfort.... we were kind of a hit at Mystic, being one of only a couple with a/c and slept very well at night.....

Our current tear has been a joy to use. and is very usable.... we will be towing from new england to FL in January for a month down there...

This past year, we camped 60 nights.... next tear will be lighter, more aerodynamic, have been mass location and a few other minor improvements.... again, nothing stops us from hooking up and going with our current tear... it is always ready to go.... as are we.

Have you booked any sites in FL yet, and do you have a rough intinerary on where you want to go? It's a real bitch in Southern Florida right now after Wilma.

A lot of contractors came from out of state and took a ton of spots. Also, the owner of my boatyard says he has a list 5 pages long of full-size RVers (snowbids) who are waiting for a spot just to park (no liveaboard). They're going to have to store their RVs at the yard and stay at a hotel until they can find camping sites.

Thanks Guys, I do think I'm am going to install the AC in the front, I do like the door/door you have arnerial. In fact, I think I may even add a couple of "boxes" to the side to act as a small tongue box. Now to work the diverter I guess. Don't want to rework the axle, doors, etc.

Earl

Here is a pic with the door closed... that is a strap hinge on the front. It's held closed with a wing nut on a 1/4" stud in the door... when open, the hinge becomes the prop to hold it up. There is a slot inside the door the end of the hinge nestles into.... and I use a bungee cord from the trailer frame to the door so the wind won't lift it and have the hinge drop and the door swing down while running... very nice little arrangement.

Ira, as far as sites, we only have them for Talbot... I'm not too concerned... we can just head whereever sites are available, MI, GA, AL, as long as there is no snow.

We also have quite a few friends who will let us camp for a day or two at their places..... not too organized, but I'm not sure what are plans are yet....