Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Ok, so yesterday, after searching online and reading here for close to a year, I finally ordered a trailer to convert.

It's a Continental Cargo Tradewind 5x10. It has the following options;

Delete roof vent
Add 2 side vents
Chrome Appearance Package
Side Door with RV Latch and Cambar Lock
Double Doors in Rear
2- 30”x15” Horizontal Sliders with Screens
Electric Brakes with Battery Backup Break Away switch
Champagne Beige Aluminum Exterior

I took everyone's advice from my previous post and ordered the electric brakes.

Now I have about a 4 week wait before it's delivered and the work begins. Hopefully that will give me enough time to get the garage cleaned out.

You may want to rethink that "delete" roof vent." With little air flow even with the side vents added, that trailer is going to get warm in the summer when there times when you cannot open the doors. Are you going to install any windows as that would certainly help with ventilation?

BC_Explorer wrote:You may want to rethink that "delete" roof vent." With little air flow even with the side vents added, that trailer is going to get warm in the summer when there times when you cannot open the doors. Are you going to install any windows as that would certainly help with ventilation?

I would prefer to have a roof vent, but one of my criteria with the trailer is that it fit in the garage. This trailer with the factory roof vent is to tall and the vent didn't look like anything special. When I get it home if I can find a low profile roof vent that will fit I will look at installing one. Anybody know of such an animal?

I do have the manufacturer installing a window at the top of the wall on each side. If possible, I will look at adding a window to the side door after I get it.

Thanks for the comments.

@BC_explorer

I noticed in your album that you have a window in the side door. Did you install that or did it come that way? Looks good.

bigbendhiker wrote:@BC_explorer

I noticed in your album that you have a window in the side door. Did you install that or did it come that way? Looks good.

Yes I ordered the window from the factory. If I recall, it cost around $110.00 for this option. Well worth it in terms of time saved in doing it myself.

Bigbendhiker

I would at least have the factory frame-in at least one vent hole in the roof, so it's all set when you want to install your Fantastic Fan. (You will love it)
My Adventure trailer came with a factory vent installed in the front, and then for an additional $40.00 they framed in a second hole for mounting a roof top air conditioner more towards the back. The A/C hole is double braced both going both ways to support the extra weight. (that's what the extra $40. bought me)

Now I know right where it is so I can simply cut out the ceiling liner and the roof skin when I'm ready to install the roof top unit.

Gadget Man

Gadget Man

I like the idea about having the opening framed in for later. Are you going to install a roof top RV type a/c?

Bigbendhiker.

My plan all along was to buy and install a 120 volt roof top A/C unit.
I do have the Fantastic Fan installed in the front part of the trailer, the A/C will go in the back.
The original cheap factory vent will go temporary in the back hole where the A/C will go when I finally buy one.
The other thing I plan on doing right away is paint the roof with that white elastic paint.
Once I get a chance to actually camp and sleep in the trailer a few times, I'll decide how bad I need the A/C.

Gadget Man

Gadget Man

Hi Big Bend:

Hello and congrats.

I just received my trailer as well, with a lot of the same extras you did.

I did not get the roof vent/fan either, as my dealer talked me out of it as so many people have had problems with them. I also got the side windows and vents. I will install an A/C unit thru a back wall I plan to build across the back of the trailer.

They told me 5 weeks for delivery, but it took almost 8 weeks, so hope yours is quicker, as I almost went nuts waiting.

I got pixs in the camera, awaiting the wife to download them for me.

Cheers: Jeff

Thanks, Pappaw

I'm planning on doing the same with the inside wall just inside the back door. I will install a small a/c in the upper portion of the wall on the street side. I will then have either a door with a window on the curb side of the wall or just a window in a solid wall. I haven't decided whether to install a mostly permanent full size bed similar to a teardrop or go with something like a futon which would leave more floor space during the day and allow me to use the trailer to haul stuff if necessary. I think at this point I'm leaning towards the full size bed because I think it would sleep better. There is an Ikea fairly close that has several futons to look at. I will go by there and see what they look like and if they would be comfortable.

Have you decided which way you are going on your interior design? Sleeping arrangements and what else do you plan to include?

Congratulations on finally receiving your trailer!

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Jeff
I would suggest the same thing, at least have the factory frame in the 14x14 vent hole. I know you will want a Fantastic Fan someday.
The thing your Dealer said about people having trouble with roof vents is probably true with the stock crappy vent that comes with the trailer. It truly is the
cheapest piece of crap available. Just pay for the vent bracing in the roof, and buy your own vent later. You won't be sorry.

Gadget Man

bigbendhiker:
you know you could do as a friend of mine did when His casita travel trailer wouldn't fit in his garage
he had the garage door opening make larger, now it fits very easily....yea he has more money than I do
if it were my trailer I would have boughten a cover and let it sit out side.

pete

Pete,

It would be great if I could spend the money to make the garage door larger, but I feel very fortunate that I got permission to spend money on the trailer in the first place.