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Low Profile Trailer
Posted:
Fri Jun 05, 2009 12:59 pmby fornesto
The idea is simple. A 2'x4'x8' trailer with a hard top perfect for a bike rack. The box opens up, as does the back galley. This is all square sides and should be very easy to build.
Posted:
Fri Jun 05, 2009 2:00 pmby Laredo
got a bit of an A-liner look going on there.
I like it.
How many sheets of plywood for one of these, as compared to the number of sheets for a weekender?
Posted:
Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:08 pmby mikeschn
In the rain, the water will leak into the sides... you might want to fashion something to keep the rain out...
Mike...
Posted:
Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:51 pmby fornesto
mikeschn wrote:In the rain, the water will leak into the sides... you might want to fashion something to keep the rain out...
Mike...
It would probably have a big flashing overhang on the sides. That, and the top would sit atop the sides, not within them. Here's another version that goes straight up, perhaps with a 12V lift/jack system. Sides could be light weight wood or canvas. The interior "box" could stay assembled and descend around the mattress.
Posted:
Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:17 pmby mk10108
Check out this method of raising a pop up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZrr53t4Eis
Posted:
Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:31 amby devigata
I
like that couch/bed mechanism!
Posted:
Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:04 pmby Laredo
Mike, I'm no engineer, so I'll just ask this straightforwardly.
If you built this so that the upper box was bigger than the lower box (that is, so that the roof had an overhang effect and the sides of the roof were to the exterior of the sides of the box below) would that obviate the leakage?
Posted:
Sun Jun 07, 2009 2:03 amby Elumia
if the upper box goes into the lower box you have to worry about water running in that joint. The other way around, water can't get it.
Mark
Posted:
Sun Jun 07, 2009 2:11 amby Alan Wood
Elumia wrote:if the upper box goes into the lower box you have to worry about water running in that joint. The other way around, water can't get it.
Mark
You seem to be forgetting that water will be sprayed up by tires of both the tow vehicle and the trailer here.
Posted:
Sun Jun 07, 2009 1:35 pmby Elumia
that may be the case, but when the top box is down, that spray has to travel up 2' or more. plus that is much easier to seal against. The other way around, water will sit in the joint and will always find the smallest leak in any seal you make.
[/quote]You seem to be forgetting that water will be sprayed up by tires of both the tow vehicle and the trailer here.[quote][/quote]
Posted:
Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:54 amby fornesto
In trying to keep the second design lightweight, I would build it with a good overhang of 4-6" that angles downward - think L-flashing. This with a dust seal should keep water out of the inside.
By making the upper box the outer box, the whole weight thing becomes an issue. Either the bottom box becomes lightweight/open or the whole thing just gets real heavy. I like the idea of a solid bottom box with a lightweight/canvas upper section, ala VW Vanagon pop-top.
Posted:
Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:26 pmby Laredo
Fornesto,
What if you cut out the upper panels in the manner Mike suggested for the improved Weekender, and used smoked plexiglas in the voids? You'd need velcro curtains for privacy on the insides and front; but I'd think that would help with the weight issue.
Posted:
Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:37 pmby jimqpublic
If you're doing folding walls then take a look at the aluminum edging that Aliner and Chalet use. No leaks from rain- though a hose aimed up will let plenty of water in.
For a box over a box design look at Hi-Lo trailers. When down the outer box edge contacts weather striping on the inner box.
Consider getting a beat up hard-top tent trailer with crank-up lift system as a donor. Late model ones are designed to handle the weight of the roof plus 100 pounds of air conditioner so they would do fine with a couple bikes or a canoe on the roof.