Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Ok... I'm brand new here and I've been reading lots of the cargo trailer > camper builds. This place is GREAT!

I am embarking on a build of a 5x8 Interstate enclosed trailer. I recently sold a very sweet vintage Trilluim 4500 fiberglass "egg" camper. I sold it because it just wasn't doing the job for me, but I did love it as a camper.

I will be using this trailer primarily when I go to 4x4 off-road events here in the northeastern US. My goal is to have a trailer that in cargo mode will be able to transport my 5 heavy, large off-road tires. They are 35" tall and 11" wide and weigh about 85lbs each. I also bring along a good number of tools and spare parts in addition to camping stuff and a Cookshack electric smoker. The Trillium couldn't handle that bulk and weight.

In camper mode I am looking for a "hard shell tent" sorta thing - with upgrades. A fold down sleeping platform (this will be just for me 90% of the time). I'll add shore power for lights, a small electric heater and power for small electronics recharging and maybe some music. Maybe a car battery/charging arrangement.

I plan to add a roof vent, 2 windows and a door (the trailer has just a large rear single door at the moment.)

The cargo mode cannot be compromised by the camper mode.

I'm going to post some of my preliminary diagrams. Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Mark

Here is the raw material:

Plans, so far...

I've been doing a lot more thinking and I think I might split the 1 large rear door in half and make "ambulance" doors. One that opens with a handle, the other with a manual top and bottom release. Use the first for camping mode and both for cargo mode.

The other thought was just to convert the large exterior-only lever to a handle and just always use the full width door... Maybe that would be a "bad" choice for those rainy and or cold days?

Mark

You'll want to move the bed to the left side if doing double doors. Usually the right door is the primary opening door. Personally, I would go with double doors.

Good point. I'm right handed so that makes even more sense.

I am considering 2 "beds" in any case... in the event one of my kids comes along. I might make "my" bed wider and build them so that the pair becomes one big sleeping slab. With sleeping bags it won't make any difference.

Maybe move the bed all the way to the back and have some shelving up front? It seems when we are using our trailer we can never have enough shelf space to put our junk

We just use some 1x10 pine boards that are screwed onto the wall with door hinges, we put eyelets in the roof spars and pull them up into place with a string and carabiner clips

With smaller CTs , it would seem sleeping bags and a good foam pad would be ideal for space considerations... less weight to haul too, with that expensive gas ...

I bought a used pop-top from a VW camper (1971). It is fiberglass and lifts on one end, not straight up all around.

My plan is to attach it to the top of the 5x8 so that I can, optionally, raise it up for more interior head room and ventilation... I will be putting a traditional RV roof vent in it too. With it raised I should be able to stand... (the interior of the trailer is just about 5" high)

It looks like this when raised...

Here is the trailer I saw that got me thinking about a lift or pop top... add tent sides including a back wall and tent door and you are good to go...

Nice concept, Mark. Popups like the classic VW built into TTT's are a natural. But, heck, I'm biased.

Well I finally made some small progress... I have decided to keep it simple, for now at least. I installed 2 salvage truck cap awning windows on the trailer sides and a small-ish 36"x22" RV cargo access door into the rear swing out door. This door will be my access to the trailer during camping mode. All total I think I have $40 in the 2 windows and door... I'll post pics tomorrow.

Got a roof vent in today... but forgot to take pictures... now it's dark...

sounds like your back at it keep up the good work.

Here are some pics... Keepin' it simple. I'll probably remove the Boy Scout stickers. I'll be painting the roof white.











The below pic shows basically how I will transport the big tires... 2 on each side, one in front and one behind the window, then one across the front. I'll run some bolts/fender washers through the wall supports and attach some "D" rings for ratchet straps to hold the tires to the walls.

(I know, I still have to trim the screws for the roof vent and install the trim piece. As a matter of fact I still have to do the interior trim on the windows and rear door too.)