Hello from Lincoln, Ca.

[terryjones1]

I am new to this forum. However, I am not new to RVing. Over the years, I have built a cabover camper and 5 Van camper RV conversions. I have also owned a travel trailer and two motorhomes. I have also owned a Trailmanor trailer.

I am now doing my research with the idea of building a Tiny Travel Trailer. I want a trailer that will have a permanent 54" bed. I also, want a seperate dinette. It has to be garageable (<84" in height). I also, would have a drop floor so that I could stand inside (>69" in height). I have made at least 8 designs of the frame. Other things that I would need would be a 12DCV refrigerator, Porta Potti access, & water system. These are the minimal things that I like in an RV. (I will use portable stove. I have never used a heater.) My Tow Vehicle is a Mini-van that has lots of storage and can handle a trailer =< 3500 lbs.

My latest design has the trailer box at 11'. The trailer box has 5' width, and the overall width is 6' - 6". The tongue will be 36". My plan is to have the frame built with 2" x 4" - 1/8" tubing. The drop down portion will be 36" and the frame bottom, in that area, will be 2" x 2" - 1/4" tubing. I plan on using a 2000 lb Flexiride axle. The back of the trailer is where the bed will 54" bed will be. The front will be where the 36" dinette will be. The middle, of course, will be where the 36" drop floor will be. As soon as I fiqure out how to convert my DesignCAD 3D drawings to some format that can be posted, I will do so. the trailer itself, will probably be along the lines of the "Benroy". It will be taller and longer.

Any suggestion on improvement will be greatly appreciated,

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Terry, I guess I am a little bit confused. Building a stand-up trailer from scratch, is quiet a costly and time consuming project. You say that the width intended will be 6 ft 6 inches, yet your bed required is only 4 ft 6 inches. It doesn't add up. You would like to have 5 ft 9 inches of standing room, including the dropped floor, yet only a bed for someone 1 ft and 3 inches shorter. ??? The 11 feet long seems realistic, but have you considered buying a vintage trailer, of about the same size, that is in fairly good shape? You could alter it's interior to suit your needs, probably for much less money and less time involved.

I bought such a trailer, a 10ft long (interior) a 56 Kenskill, and have completely rebuilt the interior (which probably wasn't necessary), and now have a wonderful stand-up, waterproof, vintage trailer, complete with a full length 6 ft 4 inch bed at the rear, a new dinette, up front, that converts into a great bed, and has a hidden porta-potty under the newly built cabinets.

I know that the money involved for the initial investment and my added cost of the rebuild, was much cheaper than going through a ground-up construction, (custom frame, suspension, wheels and tires. floor and wall framing, windows, door, interior cabinetry, wall paneling, exterior aluminum siding, RV door and mouldings, roofing, tongue, hitch, wiring and lights as well as many other hiddens costs, etc).

Perhaps others will feel differently, but there is just something about restoring a 40 to 50 year old vintage trailer, that garners the attention of other enthusiasts, while you are enjoying it's comfort, and believe me, the time involved is no where near what a ground-up project requires. Just my two cents. Enjoy your build and be sure to take pics and post em.
Roly, TDer and vintage trailer nut.

[mvperini]

Roly wrote
Hi Terry, I guess I am a little bit confused. Building a stand-up trailer from scratch, is quiet a costly and time consuming project. You say that the width intended will be 6 ft 6 inches, yet your bed required is only 4 ft 6 inches. It doesn't add up. You would like to have 5 ft 9 inches of standing room, including the dropped floor, yet only a bed for someone 1 ft and 3 inches shorter. ???

Roly i think he wants a bed that is 54 inches wide

Mike

[terryjones1]

The length of the bed will be approximately 74" (6' - 2"), which will fit in a 78" (6' 6") wide trailer. The width of the bed will be 54", which will fit nicely in the back of the trailer, just behind the dropped floor.

[mvperini]

Roly
there is a lot of work involved in a new trailer build and a restoration to me it is the feeling you get when you have completed the job
here is a picture of my restoration that i am doing now has been a lot of hard work but when it is completed i will find another one to do. I love the finished product but i think i like the process of doing them even more



Terry, i wish you all the best on what ever you decide to build and the people here on the forum will always help

Regards Mike

[terryjones1]

I have copied a print of CAD drawing of my frame (Design 10), and have posted it on Album > Personal Gallery of terryjones1.

One of my first questions is whether 2" x 4" - .120" thick structural steel tubing and 2" x 4" - .25" thick structual steel tubing for the 36" drop down section will be strong enough for my trailer. I would guess that the trailer will between 1500 and 2000 lbs loaded.

[doug hodder]

Terry...I just completed something very similar to what you are describing. I'm just shy of 11' in length...fits in the garage and I'm only 83" high door, but I'm 6' standing height inside...I do have to swap wheels on it to make that happen however. Same width, bed size, drop floor and my dinette is a bit shorter. I was sort of cloning a Scotty.

I went with 2x2x.125 tubing on the frame, I designed it, then had Andrew (our resident engineer) run his educated eye over it all. Pulls/handles great, overall weight 1420. Check my album and the build thread "Sierra Nomad" for build sequence.

If you can't find an "oldie" to restore...this is a great way to go...all new materials, don't have to undo anyone elses work. I'd do another without hesitating. Good luck with your build. I'm just south of you in El Dorado county. Doug

[terryjones1]

Doug
I looked at your Album. I very much like your TTT build. It certainly looks like mine will be similar. I hope mine turrns out near as good. You did a great job!
I have quite a few questions!

I see that you used the Flexiride Axle. What overhang (outside frame edge to hube face) did you specify? What is your tire size (width & height)? What is rim diameter?

I see that your drop floor is on one side! How much is your drop? Your drop floor steel frame bracing looks strong. I like it. I will see if I can incorporate it.

In reference to your plywood wheel wells/covers, Did you cover the underside with anything?

It appears that you used a thicker plywood for the trailer sides. Did you use 1/2 ", 5/8", or 3/4"?

How are roof rafters attached to sides?

Is the inside ceiling 1/8" plywood? Is outside skin 1/8" plywood?

How is aluminum siding attached?

The trailer clearance to fit through the garage door looks pretty tight!

I think that this is enough questions for now!

Thanks!

Terry

[doug hodder]

63" hub face to hub face on the axle
185 70R14 tires BFG WW's
5" drop
fiberglass cloth/ epoxy and automotive undercoating
5/8" sides
rafters attached with screws and epoxy
1/4" inside and outside skin
aluminum hung using an air stapler, edge trim and windows to hold it.
must have air down to like 3# to get it out of the garage door...I usually swap on some smaller wheels so it can wheel in and out easily off of my utility trailer.

The text on my build covers most of the techniques/materials. Doug

[terryjones1]

Doug
Please excuse my ignorance.
Where and how do I access "text on my build covers most of the techniques/materials"?

[doug hodder]

Terry found it, but for other newer people, check the BUILD JOURNALS. Many people have detailed their build start to finish, or as far along as they are at this point. Good luck with your project Terry. I think you'll find it a very rewarding one! Doug

[Roly Nelson]

You bet, good luck on your build, Terry, sorry about the length versus width confusion, I guess it's a senior moment thing. If you can put something together that is similar to Doug's, you are on the right track. Keep up the questions and the interest.
Roly

[terryjones1]

My 77 ddoge van

[/url]

[terryjones1]

[img=http://imageshack.us/thumbnmail.png]
[/url]

[terryjones1]