First Post from Louisiana

[sushidog]

Hello Folks!

I'm from Abita Springs, La (just north of New Orleans.)

Im 50 yrs old, happily married and have been lurking for a short time, trying to digest as much as I can before I make a complete fool of myself.

No tear yet, but like most, I've got one on the drawing board.

I'm looking forward to learning from you all, so please be gentle with all my noob questions and off the wall ideas. I hope to someday meet many of you on the trail or at events.

Ok, so here's my objective. I'm considering a low-cost mobile retirement. I've got a few years before retirement, (hopefully) so I' have plenty of time to do it right.

The problem is that even the most thrifty alternatives (motorhome/camper trailer w/traditional tow vehicles) are fuel hogs.

Call me crazy, but I'm trying to conceive of a full-time mobile retirement solution for two, utilizing a large, low-profile aerodynamic pop-up tear (hard sided) that at least has the basic day-to-day living ammenities, yet still gets as close to 30mpg as possible.

I need to keep the loaded weight under 2,000lbs, as that is the maximum limit for my tow vehicle (a modified 2006 chevy cobalt SS auto 2.4l). I'm trying to build my tear as light as possible, as I know the weight will kill my mileage in the mountains, regardless of how slippery it glides through the air.

Though on the surface this seems an impossible task, I'm willing to commit the time to research, plan; and resources to accomplish this. Since this will be my primary residence, I'm willing to spend quite a bit more than one normally would in a project of this type, ie. aluminum frame, composite construction, etc. to make it happen.

I greatly appreciate everyones selfless sharing of their hard earned wisdom. Hopefully it will save me from making some very expensive mistakes (though I know I'll still make a few).

I'll post up some of my ideas and sketches for critical review, evaluation and suggestions shortly.

[sdtripper2]

Sushidog:

Living in the trailer has to be considered carefully:

What trailer have you on your drafting board?
Will you be standing uP in it?
Will you be having an toilet in it?

Give us some more data when you can...



Glad you found the forum~

[Miriam C.]

Sushidog welcome to the playground. You have set up for yourself a feat accomplished all the time here.

Don't know about your mileage but under 2000 pounds is easy. As for full time living that will require some manipulating but doable. First thing is to check out Steve Fredericks new build, and order his manual. It should cut down one the thinking and wonderin how to's.

Here is where you can find Steve F's build.
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=12886

We give out lot of information for a small fee. The fee is lots of They keep the Mad Ones tame and the bubble oil level.

Enjoy

[martha24]

sushidog welcome!!!
This is a good place to learn: do lots of reading & ask questions.
You should check out toward the bottom of page South Central, to see what is going on in your part of the country.
The end of Oct. there is a big gathering for MadJack's birthday in LA, perfect place to see trailers & meet people.
Have fun & good luck.
Martha

[forestfrog]

Welcome from another Louisiana TDer (north of Alexandria)!

Have fun planning (and planning and planning and planning) and eventually starting your build. Be sure to join us for LCGII in October at Lake Bistineau:
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=14067

It's a great chance to see LOTS of different TDs and TTTs. I went last year in my VW Bus and everyone made me feel very welcome (hopefully my TD will be ready for this year's gathering, LOL!).

Have fun planning!

[madjack]

mmmmmmmmmm...is a sushidog anything like a fish inna bun ...just wondering
Welcome aboard SD, lots of info here...one on my favs to consider for full timin' it would be Robs CabinCar..ya can't stand up in it but it has a toilet and shower...very cool...look for it, up in the "Hall of Fame" link...
madjack

p.s. for damn sure come to the LCGII...it's kinda like goin' to see the elephant

[Dave Bob]

Welcome from a little mo north......north Louisiana dat is.

Dave

[mikeschn]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Full time mobile retirement.... there are several options. Rayvillian has been talking about building a hi-lo. That would be fully featured.

You could do a T@B, which is only 1500 pounds, but it doesn't have a shower. And you'd have to empty the portta pottie after every 62 flushes.

You could do a Winter Warrior. Check out that design here...
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ior#213434

I'm currently experimenting with fully featured trailers, and let me tell you, it's not easy. Ever try taking a shower in a bathroom that's only 21" wide? It's no fun.

There's going to be a bunch of trade-offs. You'll have to decide what's important to you.

Mike...

[sushidog]

Wow, such a response! You guys really make me feel at home.

Thanks for all the great advise.

Steve Fredericks new build is beautiful! There are no words to describe his ultra-fine craftsmanship. I'm in awe....

It's a little too big for my needs though. He's towing with a 3/4 ton v8 diesel, while I'm planning to pull my rig with a 200hp 4cyl. I'll bet his land yaht comes in at well over 2,000lbs - maybe 2,500-2,600lbs loaded. Plus, it's too tall and wide for my little car - I want the airstream flowing over and around the trailer (after the car deflects it,) not into it.

Here's a few basic concept drawings I have, so you can beter understand what I'm trying to accomplish. I'm sure the final product will look nothing like this first prototype, but you've got to start somewhere, right?

This is what it will look like with the pop-up down.


This is a cut-away with the top up.


Here's the floorplan with the bed folded.


Here's the floorplan with the bed extended.



I hope these images work. My first attempt.

As far as gas mileage goes, right now my car gets 41mpg at 45mph, 35mpg at 55mph, and 32mpg at 70mph unincumbered. I'm hoping for 30mpg at 55mph with trailer in tow on near level road.

I'm going on vacation in arkansas the second and third week of Oct., so I might just stop by and "see the elephant."

[pauld3]

Welcome from newbies from Kansas! We are building ours and have been since January. We are by no means finished but we are going to the Minden NE gathering any way. Let me tell you one thing!!! The people on this forum are the best and they are SO helpful. There are all kinds of plans and cds available here and I guarantee you, you won't be lacking in any information. All you have to do is ask!!!!

Welcome, again! Paul and Lynn (Lynn writing), Liberal KS

[mikeschn]

Hey Dean,

We need a pic of your pop up tear again...

Sushi,

did you see this one yet? (Visit Sumner's page for the other pictures...)

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ures1.html



Mike...

[sushidog]

Hey Dean,

We need a pic of your pop up tear again...

Sushi,

did you see this one yet? (Visit Sumner's page for the other pictures...)

Mike...

Thanks a lot Mike!!!!!

No, that's the first time I saw that one - or anything like it. I guess there's nothing new under the sun. That's the concept I had in mind.

I'd like to see his lifting mechanism. The idea I had is to go with 2, three ft. lift electric activated linear actuators from Nook. The model I would need cost $562.50. Though one would have enough lifting capacity, I would need one in front and one in rear to lift the top evenly. That's $1,125 for the pair, ouch. That's as much as an rv washer/drier combo, which I've excluded due to insane cost and space limitations. (You can do a lot of laundry at the laundrymat for $1,100.)

When you add 3mm Okume marine plywood at $55 a sheet, my trailer is probably going to end up costing me more than my car by the time I'm done. Oh well..."If you want to play, you've got to pay!"

I think 5'x5', 1/8" sheets of baltic birch would be easier to top my 5ft interior width tear with, though they wiegh more. The price is right at only $14 a sheet; but not being marine grade, I wonder if they would last with a sealant and simple marine paint finish? Glass is too heavy to even consider.

Does anyone have any experience with Kerfkore or similar products in all weather usage?

[Tear Les]

Welcome Sushidog!

Sounds like you have some really interesting plans; it'll be fun to watch them develop.

Okume plywood is great for its weight but it is not a very durable wood, which is why it's usually encapsulated in epoxy or glass/epoxy. If you treated the Baltic Birch as you would the Okume I believe you'd get similar results.

[asianflava]

I wouldn't tow anything as large as 15ft with a Cobalt, even an empty flatbed. The TV just doesn't have a long enough wheelbase and weight for something that large. Your proposed plan will probably surpass the GCWR before anything else.

[sushidog]

I wouldn't tow anything as large as 15ft with a Cobalt, even an empty flatbed. The TV just doesn't have a long enough wheelbase and weight for something that large. Your proposed plan will probably surpass the GCWR before anything else.

Thanks for the advise. What would you advise as the max length I should tow with my little balt?

The actual trailer/living area I'm planning on is 5'x12', the rest of the length is just for the light weight aerodynamic topper. I understand the principle of mass centralization (keeping the bulk of the weight near the axle) and am trying to lower my center of gravity as much as possible by using the pop-up concept.

Do you think a 6'X10' trailer would be a better base to build off of? I'm trying to avoid the extra foot of width, as my car is only 5ft wide and 5'5" high. This extra foot of width would greatly increase my drag and subesquently gas mileage loss.

The vehicle's max tow rating is 1000lbs, however I've heard that in Europe the tow rating's are roughly twice what they are here for the same vehicles - basically for product liability/warranty reasons. I have the same transmission that GM uses on their 6cyl cars, plus I plan on adding a tranny cooler. I've already had the ecm and tcm flashed for better performance. I've also added full boltons to up the hp from 173 to about 200. I've got the beefy sport suspension package and 4 wheel antilock disk brakes for safety. Plus, I plan on electric trailer brakes to help stop this extra mass.

Is there anything you can think of adding to help my car tow a long/heavy trailer safely? Is there something I'm missing?

Everyone's help is greatly appreciated. Wisdom is learning from the mistakes of others, so I won't have to repeat them myself.