Unusual Designs Found on Internet

[WizardOfOdds]

I try to avoid posting campers that are covered elsewhere on this site, but I suspect many readers do not read all the various threads. So I think it fair to post LINKS to alert readers of this thread to any exceptional non-traditional designs they may not be aware of. Here is such a non-traditional design by Postal Dave. My understanding is that he is currently trying to rebuild his trailer using foam construction. Here is a key link

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=70852#p1236390

[OP827]

This van has folding furniture .... a delivery van and a mobile home, two in one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKNmlovdkv8

[OP827]

Another expandable travel trailer from Europe. Good ideas and concepts there, but will not be cheap to build or buy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=36&v=MymNDVJk9GU

[WizardOfOdds]

Here is a series of 5 high quality videos of a very interesting and well done pop up truck camper with potential to be a slide-on for a utility trailer. According to the 5th, it weighs just 370# (I assume empty except for battery pack etal). He used 3/4 inch plywood frame members with 5mm ply exterior covered with PMF. Inside is 1/8 inch paneling over 3/4 inch foam. Lots of good ideas in all 5 installments, but if you only watch one, I find the 3rd the one to view.

pt 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2eyfE0xfcg
pt 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9W5OU-wQwc
pt 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGjmPU1qAzA
pt 4 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRBU8dPtq3u8cu9U9bXwoxA
pt 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbdSJ1LO5wc

[WizardOfOdds]

I am unable to summarize the Ramblin Rogers Folding Micro Camper in one sentence, but here are a few words to wet your appetite: bifold pop up with bowed roof, solar heater, solar power, foldout, kitchen galley, and a lot more. He also updated his build with a Vardo and a tent top design.Here is a link to the first of a series of videos to let you judge for yourself. Visit his page for the details.

[WizardOfOdds]

Here is the latest DIYtinycomper.com folding camper video (check my earlier posts for parts 1 & 2). I find this the best video of the three.

The big attraction with this camper is the 2:1 open to closed footprint ratio with large standing area. But big footprints need big roofs stable against both wind and rain, and that is a challenge for any folding trailer, including this one. The latest configuration replaces the tarp roof with a folding panel of aluminum ribs with polycarbonate green house glazing (not cheap). But is that better? I'm not sure I like a full roof skylight, and although a simple tarp top is far from cool, I do like the flexibility & economy of an insulated/semi-reflective fabric top. If I were building his design, I would definitely consider a roof with a bend/ridge/peak to avoid center sag and puddles, perhaps by reducing the height of at least one of the (8 foot long) side walls (which might need moving the door to the back end to maintain entry height if the door wall height is reduced).

On the same note, it is not clear to me what prevents pooling in the closed configuration, perhaps he uses a travel cover. And what do you do with the mattress when you flip the bed upside down during closing? I plan to keep watching this one.

[WizardOfOdds]

An inspiring bike camper (trailer and biker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBLLdWhcCqs


and a collection (some of which I noted earlier)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkodqB5CbWo

[greygoos]

Link to 10 unusual designs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ersx5bwldrws

[greygoos]

Fabric Teardrop https://newatlas.com/futurelight-teardr ... ept/57995/

[greygoos]

https://newatlas.com/earth-traveler-tea ... ers/59616/ Sleeps a family of 4 and weighs in under 300 pounds

[WizardOfOdds]

This is NOT really what I call a non Traditional trailer, but it seems to be a very light design that may be of interest to some readers. From the pictures, it looks to be far lighter than the usual 5x10 cargo trailers that I have seen. They also offer a 4x7 model and other interesting "plastic" trailers. But I find their web page disappointing (seems like they want you to call for any real info such as price or weight - so my guess is their prices are HIGH). Look for yourself, but add a post if you actually purchase or even see first hand.


https://www.sporttrailer.co/VERSA%20AND%20YUPPIE%20SMALL%20CAMPING%20TRAILERS.htm

[WizardOfOdds]

Last summer while camping in YSP, an adjacent site was filled by what appeared to be an enclosed cargo trailer. But this one sat right on the ground, not on its wheels. Something like this...

I immediately concluded it was an ice shanty. Never noticing one used as a camper, I was disappointed that I failed to connect with the owner before he left. This encounter begged the question: does an ice shanty double as a practical camper?

Its easy to think of ice fishing as camping, but the differences have big impact. Obviously an ice shanty is a winter shelter, the emphasis is on staying warm rather than getting lots of ventilation, so shanty windows are small and few. Further, seals at wall/roof/floor joints are less critical because snow is a lot easier to keep out than a soaking rain and there are no summer bugs to avoid. Along the same line, a flat roof might be ok with snow accumulation, but pooled summer rain can be a major problem. I suspect most ice fishing trips are shorter than long summer treks, so weight & air drag are probably less critical. Also, shanties focus on benches for fishing rather than beds for sleeping. Finally, a sun stable exterior is far less important during long sunless winter stays.

Pondering the issues, and focusing on only the lightest options, reminded me of the mini folding ice shanty I used to illustrate "flip top" roofs in my July 2017 post.

Could we learn anything from those portable folding builds? Clearly, some changes would have to be made to use them as a camper, but a few hold some promise in special cases (see below). For example, consider the portable folding shanty called the "Hickery Boo".

The major advantages I see are

- light weight (242 # empty)
- low closed height (2 ft)
- good head room (66 inches opened)
- tall walk-in door height
- no rain exposure during erection/folding
- easy on/off for dual use utility/camp trailer
- reasonable set-up/tear-down times

I like to compare it to a DIY roof top tent built for a pickup or utility trailer, many of which use a specific (expensive) commercial tent. The thing I like with this shanty is that the fabric portions do require sewing and are permanently anchored, so there is virtually no rain exposure during erection/folding. And, all your gear is "already in the tent".

But this is all countered by major concerns using it for camping:

- the need for several LARGE screened windows for ventilation
- uninsulated tarps are very hot in the summer sun (even silver ones)
- a number of structural changes are necessary
- a flat level roof is never a good idea (especially if fabric)
- as currently configured, a separate travel cover is almost mandatory.

The solid side portable shanties share many of the same advantages & disadvantages, but expose the interior during erection/folding. So without major changes, I do not see myself using an ice shanty as a camper, but I do see them as an alternative to using a roof top tent on a utility trailer (or pickup) offering both soft and hard side options. That could be valuable to us who have modest towing limits (4 cylinder/electric/hybrid car or motorcycle).

[WizardOfOdds]

Have time to assemble on site?? Look at the E-Z Shack..

Like wood, but would rather fold/unfold than play Ikea at the camp site??




Don't tow with a tank inspired SUV?? Consider a foam build (but sun stabilize that foam!).




Can't or don't like to build without a plan?? try this link.
https://www.milminutos.com/build-your-own-ice-shanty/
Don't want to build anything and love those king sized porta-johns ( if only it came in black!)??


https://bid.barga.ca/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=3319811

[WizardOfOdds]

Very interesting, what is the base below the PMF??, looks like it could be Masonite or some type of paper/card board. Small, not sure how well this scales up.
Note the Wiley windows in the doors, the fabric shelfs, and aero front - all very nice..



Edit 8/22/2019: Sorry, the above photo links when dead, they worked last night. Here is a URL to the entire album, if it works, you can walk thru them manually or as a slide show
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0WGrq0zw0Ucr43;9e92584f-554e-4ace-8506-98c824c04afd

[WizardOfOdds]

Here are two radical folding campers. Despite the claims, I don't consider either light, and both are way beyond my budget. But they are interesting:
The Camp365 features a variable wheel base (yeah, the separation between the wheels changes for travel - see the video). It is actually a tent trailer with hard panel ends.
https://gearjunkie.com/camp365-camper-trailer-cabin




The Tipoon doubles in height, including the large slide outs on both sides.
https://gearjunkie.com/tipoon-expandable-camp-pod-trailer?sce=post-related-link
https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2018/04/trailer-with-gear.jpg