Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

OK, bought a '04 5x10, pretty good shape, no side door, no top vent. Is a vent important? It's only 61" high. Have drawn out plans for inside build, everything I want will fit OK. Will only be inside for sleep or cooling off in the heat. Planning on building a false wall in back with door and hole for small window unit A/C. Cabinets/Closet in front, built in bed w/storage underneath, vanity w/sink and hand pump for water coming from 6 gal tank and another tank for grey water. Have a good friend who's an electrician who will wire everything for 110. Will only use at places where there is electric hookups or can use my 3500 watt generator.
here's the photos;
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz21 ... ler003.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz21 ... ler005.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz21 ... ler009.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz21 ... ler010.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz21 ... ler013.jpg
Main question is: do I really need a roof vent? I won't have a battery or be using heat inside (won't use in the winter) just a/c.
First up is removing the Luan on walls and roof and insulating, replacing with 3/8" plywood to have something to screw cabinets ect to.

Lone, Good looking CT !!! You'll need some kind of vent , doesn't have to be on the roof ...

OK, but with A/C in back where is best place for one of those side vents? Opposite side in back or up front? I guess I need some kind of circulation right? The insulation and plywood is gonna' cost a fortune up front!! Should the foam board be glued to trailer or just wedged in between studs and covered w/plywood?

Another Question...I see where most people paint or put white on walls and ceiling, why? Light?? I want to sleep inside so I'm either going to paint the plywood a dark color or use dark paneling.

A roof vent would help to get rid of some heat and also if used in the winter a vent helps remove the moisture.
most just wedge the foam into the sides and top some use the spray foam in a can to fill the gaps.
a closed trailer one with out any windows would be like a trailer at night even in the daytime.
some 12 volt lights would be nice to have when making a stop on the way to the campground say for lunch or to get a bite to eat or a nap.
how are you going to get in with a false wall and no entrance door?

good luck on what ever you decide to do.

pete

The false wall will have a door and window for A?C.
I do have a couple of the battery operated "UFO LED lights I'll use.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd13 ... w-1_12.jpg

lonerider wrote:I see where most people paint or put white on walls and ceiling, why? Light??

My trailer does not have any windows or vents. At high noon on a sunny day, it is dark enough inside to develop film. Sleeping won't be a problem, even during the day. (Those with rounded fiberglass caps on the front of their CT might have light leaks.) I can't speak for anyone else, but I want a light color inside so that it can gather up any stray sunlight that may come in from the open doors.....

We also use a false wall in the back for the AC. You should think about how to get rid of the water that the AC will produce since the wall has to be 3-4" inside the back door or ramp unless you plan on installing it everytime you want to use it. And then taking it out when you leave. The AC will hang out the wall a few inches when mounted. I just drilled a small hole in the AC case and put a funnel with a hose clamped to it under. Works really good that way.



Still have room to get the MC in past the wall when needed. I also do not have any windows. I have 1 vent with vent cover and dark walls and ceiling. I am now in the process of lightening up the inside. Just as vreihen wrote, it is dark enough for photo developing when closed up tight. I am in the process of lightening up the inside so when I do use lights it reflects off the walls and ceiling and illuminates the CT inside better.

I'm planning on taking the a/c out when not set up. It's just a 12,ooo btu unit and doesn't weigh very much. I think it'll cool a 5x10 easily! Plus, it's one of the new "No Drip/No Drain" a/c's. I only have 1 door, wish I had a ramp back door.

Lonerider:
some trailers Casita comes to mind have their AC's mounted on the floor.
If you don't want to build the wall to carry your's with out taking it out maybe mount it on the floor or just off the floor.
the higher the better as we all know cold air settles but a good fan would spread the cold around.
lifting a AC in and out all the time would I think get old quick.
but I'm old and weak and what ever you do will be nice.

pete

Lone , instead of buying new ply for the walls , why not remove the luan and install some wood strips behind it to mount your cabs ... Saves a lot of work and expense ...

http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=67148
here is my rear wall with ac mounted. I dont have a rear door due to having a side door

GPW wrote:Lone , instead of buying new ply for the walls , why not remove the luan and install some wood strips behind it to mount your cabs ... Saves a lot of work and expense ...

What would I anchor the strips to?

The back of the Luan ...

Kevin
when camping and the rear doors are open
do you worry about people helping themselves to anything you have stored there?

pete