Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I have a 2015 Jeep Wrangler unlimited. 3500# max tow capacity.

I'm interested in converting a cargo trailer into basically a hard shell tent with sleeping arrangements for my wife and I and two small kids. I'd like a compact layout to keep the trailer as small as possible. Maybe a folding couch/bed for us and cot style bunk beds for the kids? Or folding bunks?

How important is insulating the trailer first? I've only ever camped in tents so I'm not sure if insulation is really needed.

Other ideas I'm kicking around:

-Place for a port-a-potty
-I have a small window a/c unit and it would be "cool" to incorporate that. It'll run off my Honda 2000EU and I can also wire the trailer for 110v to plug into a standard house outlet. Maybe build a cabinet with a small countertop, storage, and a/c unit in the bottom.
-Engel or ARB freezer/fridge for food storage
-Windows and a roof vent
-Screen for the rear so the cargo door could be dropped on nice days but keep the bugs out
-Eventually a propane fired water heater/tank/pump/outside shower.

I did some researching and I think a pair of "disc-o-bed" bunk bed cots will be just the ticket for starting out. They can be set up and taken down and put away if I need to actually haul anything with the trailer. The bunk also converts to a couch if the weather is crap. Then with A/C and a little propane marine heater (vented outside), I should be in good shape. The big question is what size? 5 or 6' wide? Can I cram everything in 10' of length?

I need to find some kind of software program that lets me put scale shapes into a rectangle to see how stuff will fit.

zimm wrote:I have a 2015 Jeep Wrangler unlimited. 3500# max tow capacity.

I'm interested in converting a cargo trailer into basically a hard shell tent with sleeping arrangements for my wife and I and two small kids. I'd like a compact layout to keep the trailer as small as possible. Maybe a folding couch/bed for us and cot style bunk beds for the kids? Or folding bunks?

How important is insulating the trailer first? I've only ever camped in tents so I'm not sure if insulation is really needed.

Other ideas I'm kicking around:

-Place for a port-a-potty
-I have a small window a/c unit and it would be "cool" to incorporate that. It'll run off my Honda 2000EU and I can also wire the trailer for 110v to plug into a standard house outlet. Maybe build a cabinet with a small countertop, storage, and a/c unit in the bottom.
-Engel or ARB freezer/fridge for food storage
-Windows and a roof vent
-Screen for the rear so the cargo door could be dropped on nice days but keep the bugs out
-Eventually a propane fired water heater/tank/pump/outside shower.

Welcome to the forum!

Your truck's 3500 lb tow rating will limit how big you can get. Don't try to get as big as you can for your tow capacity...get something that's easy to tow. Maybe in the range of 1500-2000 lbs loaded. If all you need is a glorified tent and some storage, a 5x10 foot model would probably fit your family well and be manageable to tow. It'll be tight with 4 people, but if all you're doing is sleeping in it, maybe that's okay.

Insulation and cooling; If you're planning to camp in weather hot enough to use A/C, insulating your trailer will help a lot. Metal cargo trailers absorb a lot of heat through the aluminum skin and the metal beams. During the summertime, the metal beams in my trailer (there's a few that aren't covered in insulation) get uncomfortably hot to the touch. The areas covered with insulation stay cool.

Fridge/freezer; I'll put in a vote for an ARB. I've been using the 50 quart model for about 6 months and love it.

Window and vent; good plan. If you're installing your own vent, you might consider installing a fan unit like a Fantastik vent.

Software; I used google Sketchup...i'm not sure if my resulting draft was worth the time it took to draft the design, but it did let me show my wife what I had in mind and let her critique it.

Have a good time on the adventure.

Hi and welcome!

Just a suggestion for your consideration: check out the Maxxair Deluxe fan http://www.maxxair.com/products/maxxfan/maxxfan.php before you buy a Fantastic Fan (FF).

I installed a Maxxair Deluxe on my CT conversion. I like that it doesn't close when it rains (it doesn't have to - it has a built-in "rain shield"). I also like the remote control!

I did consider the Fantastic fan, but I wanted the fan to run, rain or shine. The FF does have a "rain sensor" option that costs more money. It will automatically close the fan when it senses rain. However, if you want the FF to run when it's raining, you can buy the extra-cost permanent cover - just the right height to lose thanks to that tree branch you didn't notice!!



Good luck with your selection and CT build!

PS: I am not affilitated with Maxxair company. I just think it is a better product (for my application).

The height of your trailer & the width create wind resistance , this is really the limiting factor more then weight. The length hardly makes any difference. 10 ft vs 16ft etc.

Example: 7 wide x 6 high x 12' long will be harder to tow vs. 6 wide x 5 high x 16 long.
Also the towing is up & down the hills on your transmission. Any trailer higher & wider then your TV creates wind resistance.

The size really depends on how cramped your willing to be and how big your kids are ?

Generally folks always wish they got 1 size bigger

Trailers with 1" insulation basically track the exterior temp very closely. I have 3-4" and at night can camp in 30F without heat, so you need to be the judge what you want.

Cheers ottct

http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com

Thanks for the inputs. Here's a pic of my tow vehicle. It's about 6' 3" tall. I'm thinking a trailer 6' wide to get two bunk beds in. I had a 6x10 that my old CJ-7 pulled without a problem. Maybe even go 6x12 for a little extra room. Standard height will work as they are 6' tall inside I'm 5' 10". Kids are 3 and 5. I honestly think most of the time it'll just be me and my two boys. But I have to have room for momma to come out occasionally.

I've seen some people fab up bunks that fold up against the wall. That would let me use real mattresses, but I think those disc-o-bed bunks will be a big step up from sleeping on the ground. I have self inflating air mattresses for everyone and sleeping bags.

I saw one build on the internet that used a marine rated wall mounted propane furnace for winter camping. Only requires a 2.5" flue out the roof for intake and exhaust air. The bonus is that is only uses a pound of propane on high every 4 hours! It does need 12 volts though. http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?pa ... &id=548732

A/C I think wouldn't be used that much, but I already have the unit and the Honda generator. At a campsite or someone's driveway, I would just need an extension cord for 110v power for that and some outlets, probably an inverter, and maybe RV microwave.

That's a good looking jeep. I had Duratracs on my last truck and I miss them now.

I have a 2011 2 door Wrangler and a 5 x 10 Continental Cargo trailer. The 5' width is perfect as it is the same width as the Jeep and the factory side rear view mirrors give you a good view of your trailer. You have the better engine, mine struggles somewhat uphill and into a headwind. But your 4 door weighs more. If I had it to do over I would get a 5 x 12. The extra length would be nice to have and shouldn't affect the ability to tow it much. I also got trailer brakes. Highly recommended.

Welcome to the forum, take our project, wash it in hot water, shrinking it to fit your family needs and tow vehicle and presto!:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=48345

Vertical e-track and surplus military bunks are your friends:


A discussion on folding bunk beds here:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=49766

While we're at it, here's one of my all time favorites for a single axle:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=40504

Good Luck!