Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I have just started conversion. I've had the trailer for a while now but am looking for ideas on floor layout, plumbing, electrical, and anything else you think is important or wish you had done to yours. I'll post pictures, drawings, diagrams and things as I go. I started a similar thread on RZR forums and I had a few suggestions to post it here too. I have a been a follower of this site for years but just recently became a member.

Please post anything you think is relevant to my build. I want to do it right the first time and I fear that I will find a better way after I finish the build.

Trailer Details:
36' Gooseneck enclosed
7'7" interior height
Tandom 7k axles

It needs to haul my 4 seater 1000 RZR and kids toys which right now are small electric things but eventually will be a couple of dirt bikes.

So far I have insulated the ceiling, added LED lighting, Fan-Tastic vent, 2000i Honda generator on a small slide out, and a 1300W 'room' AC unit.



Current design for the kitchen area, main bed, and small restroom


I'm not sure why this image gets cropped but you can see the whole thing if you zoom out in browser.

Holy cow what a huge and awesome trailer! There's so much room it's hard to begin haha!

I like the initial design plan. I would maybe add more cabinets for storage, since it sounds like you'll have a lot of people/things.

It is rather large when I compare it to most trailers but looks small up side those big campers. We gave it a test last weekend and learned more about what we need to include in this setup. 7 of us slept in it with the RZR and all of our gear. It was a little tight but not bad. The second night we left the RZR outside and had more room than we could use. It rained the whole way to the camp ground and the first night which was a great lesson because we now know that there are a few leaks that need taken care of. An awning would have been invaluable in the rain. I really want to order one but wow they are expensive.

We also learned the value of small storage solutions. We needed places to hang rain gear, jackets, keys, towels..... and a safe place to set cell phones with in reach of a charging cable.

My LED lighting is way too bright for use at night when your eyes are adjusted and you are getting ready for bed. I disconnected over half of them in the evening and then all but two when the kids went to sleep. Looks like I'll be building a PWM controller to "dim" the leds via Arduino and also make zones for sleeping areas, cargo, and kitchen.

So many possibilities! Maybe you can add more storage around the perimeter of the upper sleeping area? Then add some fold up bunks for the kids in the back, Outsidezion's are my favorite non-metal bunks: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=61833 Or some upper fold down bunks and a futon or some type of couch-style option. Not sure how many people this needs to sleep.

Kirker912, Howdy;

Welcome to the forum.

That thing is 6' longer then the RV I LIVE in full time ... !

hank

PS. with the black & White checkerboard that picture is kinda
optical delusional or it just may be my meds kickin' in...

2tornados, thanks for the link. That's great thread with a lot of good ideas in it. I was thinking I wanted bunk beds like that but I hadn't thought about making them 3 beds high. That wouldn't be bad with my extra height. Normally it only has to sleep 4 of us but having an extra bed is never bad. I would like the ability to turn those beds into a a couch also. I was looking at some of the other beds like that and it looks like the upper bed just drops down and hits the lower bed forming the back of the couch. Your latches holding them up look like a great plan.

Hank, my wife has the same illusion problem. I guess I should pick a different pattern or turn it.

Kirker912 wrote:My LED lighting is way too bright for use at night when your eyes are adjusted and you are getting ready for bed. I disconnected over half of them in the evening and then all but two when the kids went to sleep. Looks like I'll be building a PWM controller to "dim" the leds via Arduino and also make zones for sleeping areas, cargo, and kitchen.

You are the first I have read that intends to use arduino in their trailer. Cool. I have been thinking about using arduino/xbee/ble/etc for monitoring systems. I like the idea of light control. Look forward to your progress.

I'm going to finish mounting the counter top this weekend and start wiring. I'm still looking for a good wall material. Please let me know if you have any good suggestions. I'm thinking pretty hard about corrugated plastic(coroplast).

I'll be sketching up the lighting circuits pretty soon if anyone is doing something similar or thinks of another function it should run post it up. Eventually I'd like to run solar so arduino can handle that as well when the time comes.

There is always the redneck awning option throw 2 or 3 ropes over the trailer and tie to tarp then pull ropes back until the tarp is just over the lead edge of the roof, then use a couple of hooks to tie off to trailer frame. Go to the other side and install your awning poles. Unless to get a full mounted RV style you'll be using awning poles anyway. In addition you may find that an RV awning drops to low or is not taught enough and the top of the door rubs on it. This is a cheap cost effective as well as variable i.e. I can use different size tarps depending on conditions and location, bigger for rainy, or where I have trees to anchor the front/open side, smaller when windy or just looking to keep dew off chairs & table beside trailer.
I must confess I always prefer some type of transition area between inside and outside of tent or camper.

PS. You can also set it up when needed to be the pit area for the RSR and other toys, like they due in off-road racing.