Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

After hours of drawing amd measuring I now see that it is impossible to make a camper with a nice shape and still retain a 24" bunk. On the front it encroaches on the door and the back would be too curver for the top bunk to have any space.

I am now considering something like a Rimple to maximize interior space and be able to install a bunk in the back. 5 1/2 X 8 and able to sleep 4.

Another thought was to move the door more towards the rear if I moved the axle. Why do people move the axle? I was assuming it is because there will be a heavy galley in the rear, but I will have no galley. That would maybe get the tire back far enough so that I could make a bunk in the front and not encroach on the doorway. But I think I should leave it for the correct center of gravity/tongue weight.

EZ

EZ check out Andrews site He has alot of profiles there and a wealth of other info. http://tinyurl.com/9hubm

EZ,
How about a "stretch" TD. 12-14 feet long it could have mulitple pipe berths in it. You know, two pieces of pipe with canvas between them. The TD could still retain the nice radii on the ends and a low profile. I've been hoping someone would come up with a longer version TD design. Thought it would look cool. Room for 4 doors, lots of port holes, etc....

Steve

2' and how long? Perpindicular to the length of trailer? For a child?

I installed a bunk for my 7 year old. It is not perminant set up, but rather a canvas that rolls up and out of the way. While stored (in transit) it holds stored stuff above the cabinates next to the sloping roof in place. I have also found that while in use it is not the head bumper I thought it might be and I have also found the bar a convieniant handle when getting up.
One of the things that I did not forsee was that when my son would be in the cot the fabric would sag so much (a good thing). Although the support bars for the cot are close to the cieling, his body is about 4" lower than the bars while the ceiling curves up and away a little allowing more than enough room to roll over during the night. The bars flex a toward each other also.
I am pleased with the result. We sleep five so my son (oldest son) who is in the cot is likely the most comfortable. My wife and I sleep with the other two, who are smaller, on the bed. This set up will not last much longer, but there is lots of love.
Click the link below for pics.

EZ, have you checked out Camp-Inn's Raindrop (model 560) http://www.tinycamper.com/
It keeps the general shape of a teardrop yet provides more interior space for things like a kids bunk in the front of the trailer.

EZ
You might consider a design like this.

EZ,

The axle, if not moved back far enough, will make the trailer sway-wiggle-fishtail, etc, if the weight is not properly distributed...

That is, if too much weight lies behind the axle, which is, say, in the center, the trailer will be quite unstable.

If however you move the axle closer to the rear, the tendancy to sway is greatly reduced, in part because of the greater tongue weight.

There are mathematically calculated formulas to help get the axle in the perfect spot, but, as soon as you throw some extra gear in the trailer, that perfect spot can change.
Unless you have the axle much farther back than needed to start with.
If you do, your margin is much greater.
The further back your axle is, the more stable the tear will be.
True, you can rearrange/re-distribute weight in/on a trailer to correct a poorly placed axle, but with a relatively lightweight teardrop, a little extra tongue weight isn't a problem.

As long as your tow vehicle can handle the tongue weight, you should be able to move the axle back to accommodate the beds.

Another though is to move the door back slightly, and make the door opening a little wider.
Then the bed can take up a small part of the opening, while still leaving enough room to get in and out.

Rob

Look at angib's site. He has downloadable files in there that allow you to calculate axle position, tongue weight etc. He also has some great design alternatives you may be able to use.
Cheers
Paul

My build is based a bit on the Raindrop.
GT/HOT Bullnose
I seriously thought about putting in a child's hammock (still may) in the front (or back of the sleeping area), but I think I would rather have a shelf or something in that front area.

Do I have to move the axle? I guess I assumed that the axle is set in the best location on the trailer from the factory. Am I to expect wild behavior while towing if I leave it set as it is, about 8" behind the center?

My camper will acually be a little heavier towards the front than the back with no galley. There will be some shelving in the front, otherwise it will be loaded with gear however I want.

I am kinda bumming since I spent the weekend modifying the folding trailer and assembling. I thought that moving the axle was optional. Is it back to the drawing board?

EZ

EZ / Steve cox , I have a 4x12 ft TD ,check my album. You can see that it still has the basic shape of a TD , the LOOOONG flat roof just strechtes it out !




You can see I have a lot of galley storage, I also hae a storage closet in the front of the Tear .

Good luck EZ.

Take a look at the Weekender,I lenghten it to 117'' floor,with the angles add 18''. 5' wide also. Thats alot of space,should be able to sleep 3.

Boodro,
I went and looked at your gallery photos---AHHHH my eyes!!!! I had forgot about the picture of the large one

Steve

Steve , thats what she said!
Seriously , I wish i woulda cut it down to 10ft & 5ft wide. I started as a 6x 12 popup. I think 12 ft is just TOOOOO LLLOOOONNNNGGGG!!!!
Maybe after a couple a years use ,I'll do a rebuild, some winter when I'm bored!
I hope your eye's heal!! Sorry bout that Chief !
I called it The Dew Drop Inn , maybe I should call it " The Extended Stay! "

EZ...without a galley you should be fine with the axle where it is...the galley and its attendant weight is the main reason to relocate the axle rearward....just remember a longer trailer backs/tow better but as long as the weight distribution is OK it will be a safe tow
madjack