Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am still trying to design my CTC in my head and need some experienced advice. I will be using my CTC strictly for camping only so I am thinking I can cut cost of an 8 ft. x 18 ft. trailer to maybe an 8 ft. x 14 ft. if I can come up with my design. What I'm thinking is purchasing my trailer with a rear ramp instead of barn doors. When I lower the ramp I would like to use it as an expandable room/ bedroom. This would involve having some type of frame work made along with a RV style material made to go over the frame. This would seal around the ramp door and back of the trailer making it weather proof and would be similar to a pop up camper. I would then use the room mainly for sleeping quarters opening up the main body of trailer for relaxing and cooking on days when weather would force us inside. Any one know of a company that could make something like this or your thoughts? If anyone has drawing ability maybe you could throw a sketch up here of my idea or let me know how to post my own sketch.
Thanks

You could build similar design as in folding caravan "Rapido", you just need to build sort of half of it, which is the folding out part, which will be fixed on the ramp door.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OG9p6FpjH4

Have you seen these for Cargo trailers? It is a pop out bed that will free up the inside.


http://www.mirageinc.com/bed-door-46-34 ... d-out-tent

How about building a slide in & out like a "foamie". 1x2 framing or? And ridged foam with glued canvas exterior of ?. It would be light slide in 5 or 6 feet or ?


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Hey AugieDog,
I'm gonna try to PM you sometime this weekend or Mon. I got sump'n for ya. I just need a little more time and some weather to pull it all together.
I forget, where abouts you located? Maybe we could do something together on this. I smell potential.
Hang tight for a few days, I got a full plate till we get past the St. V's massacre. Feel free to PM me.

McDave

WOW what great responses! OP827 that is pretty cool but may be difficult to build just a section of it. But will keep it in mind. Thanks!
Padilen: I have considered the slide out room using foam and canvas still under consideration. Thanks!
flboy: That is exactly what I have been looking for. This was not available when I started visualizing my CTC. Thanks!
McDave: I will be watching for your message. I am in North Carolina so working that project together would be rough unless you wanted to vacation in NC for a week or two...Lol You can also contact me at [email protected]

Ya'all ROCK and thank you for the suggestions. I feel as more and more people convert these trailers the customization ideas will become more and more available. Especially custom items like the pop-out bunk flboy posted.

Augie Dog:

Is something like this what you were originally thinking about?

http://www.doubleback.co.uk/

I imagine there'd be a bit of engineering with what goes where when everything is stored away and closed up. Making it watertight might also be an interesting challenge.

But another 40+ sq ft of interior space would be exciting.

CoventryKid wrote:Augie Dog:

Is something like this what you were originally thinking about?

http://www.doubleback.co.uk/

I imagine there'd be a bit of engineering with what goes where when everything is stored away and closed up. Making it watertight might also be an interesting challenge.

But another 40+ sq ft of interior space would be exciting.

Yes that is what I was thinking about either RV canvas or build with foam and canvas!

Did you look at "expanda van"? Google it for pictures. This design has hard wall fold out bedrooms that could give you some ideas.

OP827 wrote:Did you look at "expanda van"? Google it for pictures. This design has hard wall fold out bedrooms that could give you some ideas.

Here is one link with pictures: http://vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/2060/expandavan-alexandra-noble-park-dandenong

I'm working on a smaller 5x12x5 and it's been something I've been thinking about for when I'm out for extended periods of time. One of the things I've considered is this type of SUV tent connected to my barn doors. Plenty of extra space and a screen room too.
https://us.napieroutdoors.com/store/cat ... duct_id:4/

I've been looking at this http://www.dyersonline.com/dometic-standard-xtend-a-room.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&gclid=CjwKEAiArIDFBRCe_9DJi6Or0UcSJAAK1nFvkzEdrlNskvuxlUfM7JQWQDSJu3DluN4mm20Sg6FG5hoCXSrw_wcB
I think the price is worth the reduction of headaches.

jerry4570 wrote:I've been looking at this http://www.dyersonline.com/dometic-standard-xtend-a-room.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&gclid=CjwKEAiArIDFBRCe_9DJi6Or0heUcSJAAK1nFvkzEdrlNskvuxlUfM7JQWQDSJu3DluN4mm20Sg6FG5hoCXSrw_wcB
I think the price is worth the reduction of headaches.

Well, that's basically what I have in mind. And at that price, I think you are right about the headache. The time it takes to design and fabricate, and then fine tune for a one of, doesn't make sense, or dollars and cents.
That may be your ticket right there Augie Dog.

McDave

jerry4570 wrote:I've been looking at this http://www.dyersonline.com/dometic-standard-xtend-a-room.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&gclid=CjwKEAiArIDFBRCe_9DJi6Or0UcSJAAK1nFvkzEdrlNskvuxlUfM7JQWQDSJu3DluN4mm20Sg6FG5hoCXSrw_wcB
I think the price is worth the reduction of headaches.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND!!! but some of the other ideas shown on here has me all confused again Lol
I really liked the VW extend a room idea. It could be built using the foam teardrop idea and would work great with barn door CT. I believe I have something to work with here!
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!