New north central Arkansas member!

[CCRV]

Hi All!

We've been RV'ing for over 30 years and I was camping long before that. Over the years I went from tent camping to our stepping up through pop-up trailers and various RV's all the way to a 40-foot motorhome (which I would NEVER do again!) And now we're down to basics. We have a North Star TC-650 truck camper, but with the Dakota only getting 12 MPG with it on board, we have been looking to other more economical alternatives. We own a 6 x 12 x 6 Haulmark MC trailer, plus a Harbor Freight 1450# trailer, so we're developing floor plans around those, and almost have it narrowed down... for both trailers. Plus our minivan is set for camping, which we hope to use to pull the smaller trailer.

At mid-60's, and with a bad back, I'm not enthused about the "little" tear drops, plus, I don't like the idea of being required to go outside to cook, or even get to a cooler. I like standing room. So the designs I have come up with have comfortable sitting AND standing height, with all the galley stuff being accessible inside or out, on back-to-back 100# drawer slides. It even has an 18 x 40 x 22 wardrobe closet, and catalytic heat plus a 5000 BTU A/C with heat strip, for going either way, with or without power.

After camping and RV'ing for this long, we have a lot of portable stuff, so we didn't want holding tanks (and their associated dump fees), or permanently mounted stuff. We can get water anywhere, and/or carry extra in the tow vehicle. We like the flexibility of having things portable. We have a portable 5-gallon sink, and camp stove, both of which are removable, so they can be used at an outside table, but also accessible from the inside, in case of bad weather. The chest cooler (ours is electric) pulls out from front or back, also. The side gaucho (78" long) makes into a 18"-high bed that can be up to 48-inches wide. A V-front for wind resistance and extra storage, is in addition to a rear compartment that goes all the way through the bottom of the couch, over 8 feet deep! Also in the galley is a microwave that can be rotated front or back, and we have a brief case-sized BBQ grill.

And that's all in 4' - 10" sitting room (60 x 100) with overhead cabinets on both sides, and is garagable at less than 6' - 10". For standing room, there's a T-top that pops up with solid sides to allow more than 6 feet of standing room in front of the galley and between the overhead cabinets. And it even has a (covered) shower pan built into the floor for emergencies when no other is available! The porta-potty is just inside the door on the right. With a Zodi or other shower system that sets out back and fed from "wherever", you can have your own "facilities" anywhere.

I'm also working on plans for the Haulmark, but there are so many cargo conversions out there that packing that much stuff into them is not unusual. It's just a matter of what works, and where. I do my designing on OpenOffice(dotorg) spreadheets using the drawing tools, so if anyone is interested in seeing what I'm doing, I'll be glad to send them to you if you have that same (free) program. I use one cell per inch, so the plans are accurate to within 1 half inch either way. I figure anyone who knows how to build only needs an idea planted to be able to run with it. And for the rest... well, there's dealers.

We're looking to connect with other like-minded people who enjoy camping in the middle of the country (around northern AR and southern MO), and will be getting out there soon, with one (or two) of our camping rigs (as we build them). We're square dancers (although we haven't danced in awhile), musicians (who love "home grown" music), and old enough to know better and too young to care. I'm a retired builder, master electrician and robotocs technician and my wife is a retired executive assistant. We'll be watching and learning!

[Junkboy999]

Welcome CCRV

Wow I thought I wanted a lot crammed into my teardrop.
Ha hahaha .

The idea of a camper able to stand in, ( called a standby ) with a shared indoor / outdoor kitchen has been
kicked around a bit. Not sure if anyone has been built it yet. The inability to get access to the cooler in a
TD has been a problem for some time as well. When you feel the need to get input on your design start up a
post in the member design area. Or the Non-traditional Designs area. We love to see that you can come up with.


Oh and if you got nothing to do coming up in a week, there is a TD gathering at Beaver Bend State park OK.
8th Beavers Bend Gathering March 22-24 2013



Come check out some campers.

[AlgoDan]

Hello and welcome aboard....Well you want build and no what you want. Here you will find plenty of good information and people with a abundance of knowledge. Good luck and keep us posted

[CCRV]

Thanks Guys! It may be awhile before we can get away, as my wife is still working part-time on a crazy schedule. We just had a transmission rebuilt on the minivan, along with rear brakes, wheel cylinders and motor mounts, all within the last six months. Plus we have over $800 worth of front end work to do yet on the Dakota, and then tune ups on both vehicles, plus some other more minor things, so we're recovering as well as saving right now. We have the truck camper, but we'll be lucky to get two days in a row off for the foreseeable future, so anything we do will likely be within 50 miles. We have a target date of July 2015 before we can get all the expenses behind us and travel freely, but we're sure looking forward to it. Hopefully, I'll have the little trailer done by then, and maybe even the Haulmark.

I will continue to look around the forum and become familiar with everything. I'm thinking about doing an ebook with the design I'm working on, and plan to make it available both on Kindle as well as a pdf from a sales site. But that's all I'm going to say about it. When the site goes online it will be keyword targeted so those searching with the right keywords can find it. I will contribute pictures as I have them available.

Also, I checked on new hubs at Northern Tool but I have to get the trailer in the garage so I can work on it first. I really want to upgrade to 5 x 4-1/2 hubs for 13" wheels and tires, and I may have to move or change the fenders before starting the floor framing. It all takes time and money, so it will only happen as we have both available.

Thanks again!

[RAYVILLIAN]

Hi CCRV welcome to the forum.

We have a trailer sorta like what you are describing but not as much stuff as you want. Just a bedroom and separate galley with small table and cooking area. with porta potti in the bedroom. Bedroom is 5' high and back raises to stand in galley. I'd be interested in seeing your designs.

We're headed to Beavers Bend this week and wouldn't mind swinging over your way on the way home so you could see what we've done if you'd want us to.

Gary

[Vedette]

Hi CCRV
Welcome to the Forum.
2015? You have way more patience than I do!
I am still mad that we missed last year in our teardrop (still went camping in the tent).
Have you ever considered just getting a "Boler" or a "Tab".
There is a lot to be said about instant gratification at our age!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi