Dean_A wrote:Since your trailer is only 5'wide, why not go with exterior wheels and fenders rather that having them inset? It will give you more room inside. Right now, you only have 3.5 feet between the wheel wells.
Yep, that's what I'd do.
Dean_A wrote:You might have trouble finding a good vent/escape hatch that large that will fit well on a curved roof. You might use a smaller vent and forgo the escape hatch idea. the two doors should be fine for emergency exits.
Alternative: Install a vent in the ceiling and windows on the sides at the head / foot of the cots. Find a window that also swings out as an emergency exit. A ceiling vent will give you more air flow over all, but I can also see some airflow issues for you using the lower space. Its gonna get hot with 2 adults and 2 children in the TD.
Dean_A wrote:If you need more room, you could make the bunks a bit narrower. 24"-26" seems to be the standard for camping cots. You're at 30" right now. You could also remove the back bunk and just make the top of your storage area a sleeping platform.
Or use the storage area as the sleeping platform and install a removeable platform as a bed for the second child. I think I would suggest something like 1/2" plywood (reinforced at the edges, put a lip on the front) instead of canvas. Canvas will stretch over time. Eventually, you may only have one child sleeping in the TD with you - or even going on the camping trip at all. Leaving yourself some flexibility can be a good thing.
Dean_A wrote:Typically, the door opening doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the side wall. Conventional wisdom is to make the bottom of the door hit at half the mattress height.
Don't worry too much about conventional wisdom. We put our door as LOW as we could (about 0.5" off the floor) and I still feel the pressure of the sill on the back of my legs. Put the door height where it works for you.
Suggestion: Design a change cup (or something like it) for use at night to hold stuff that's normally in your pockets. (Wallet, receipts, change, etc.)
Don't worry about an overhead lamp for the children's spaces. Give them a head lamp or two and it will also give them hours of entertainment irritating each other and yourself. Also, give them some place to put their "stuff" (a shelf, hanging fabric pocket, etc) so they don't end up dropping it on top of YOU when they get up in the AM.
Andrea.