Utility Trailer Drop In Camper

[Grimrot]

Hi all, I'm a newbie here but have been lurking around for a couple of weeks now. I don't have a Tear (yet!) but will someday. I got the Kuffelcreek plans a couple years ago but 2 babies in 2.5 years has put a cramp on things. I intend to build some sort of TD when my welding skills are more up to par since I want to build the frame myself for the experience.

BUT

I current have a 4'x6' CarryOn utility trailer ( http://preview.tinyurl.com/ywwx7z ) from Tractor Supply that I'd like to make a drop in (roll under and lower) camper. I've seen Starlene's Tiny Trailer ( http://www.txstewartfamily.com/trailer.htm ) which is close but does not hit it right on yet. I'm looking for design ideas, tips, design help....

Here's what I'd like to consider in a design...
- a pop up top on it similar to the one on The Compact ( http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear48.htm )
- External kitchen area (can be very basic)
- Sleeping space for 2 adults.
- Not permanently attached to trailer and easily removed.
- Aerodynamic front (not a brick) since I will tow with a '02 Civic.
- Definitely has to have 120v hookups with growth to 12v.
- AC / Heat a plus.

I am a very experienced stitch-n-glue boat builder and have a good collection of woodworking tools at hand. I will use this camper primarily to provide comfortable shelter while trout fishing and bumming around.

Any an all ideas or feedback welcome. Thanks.

-- Chris
http://www.neuseworks.net

[Miriam C.]

Chris... You probably have the skills needed to make a pop-up and do it well. The compact is a nice design... I don't know how you will get it light enough for a civic though. What is your tow weight? I am still waiting for someone to build a stitch-n-glue TD. Will be fun to watch though.

Oh yeah, how high do you want the pop-up. George T has a great stand up pop-up. I think it is in the Hall of fame.

Enjoy and ask lots of questions. If you don't get answers here you might put it to the "construction Tips and TEch" section.

[SaGR]

Hey Chris, welcome to the site.

I'm sure someone here will have some ideas. I keep thinking a combo of the two campers would work.

[Grimrot]

Mariam C. - Thanks for the Welcome.

I really like the roof element from The Compact and would like to incorporate something similar into my design. I'd like to be able to sit up in the camper when the top is up. My thoughts are that If the top raises in the main part of the floor plan then the camper can be shorter when the top is down. This would make towing less of a chore for the Honda.

I'm not sure that Stitch-n-Glue construction is necessary with a camper since there are very few compound angles and sprung force to the plywood. I will use some of the techniques, of course, to reduce weight. I expect the majority of the construction would be traditional sandwich frame and insulation like most to the other builder use.

My hitch is a Class C 1500lbs but I figure that I am good to around 1000lbs. without straining the car. My trailer weighs less than 200lbs so i have 800lbs or so to work with. Depending on how the camper is built I should be able to make it. Just.

SaGR - Thanks for the Welcome. I expect that I will have to have a combination of the 2 designs but I will probably round off the front end like The Rimple for aerodynamics.

I'd put a drawing up but I am currently CAD illiterate (working on becoming literate now). I will probably do a sketch on graph paper and scan it in today. Just to get my thoughts down and a starting point.

[SaGR]

"I reject your reality... and substitute my own!"
- Adam Savage, Mythbuster

LOL! I love that show!

OK, will wait for your sketch.

[Grimrot]

I broke down an refreshed my memory of SketchUp. No 3d, just 2d drafting. No pop top and I'm starting to think it's too wide for the trailer but it's a first pass.

[Miriam C.]

CAD looks good GR. Have you seen Rae's wagon? It might give you some ideas to work with.
http://www.enslin.com/rae/gypsy/vardo01.html

I have about 850 pounds in wood (that's what I bought) and mine is bigggggg, so you can make it if you watch what you put in.

[Juneaudave]

Chris...welcome to our site...your going to dig the "less is more" philosophy that permeates the TD culture.....and I really liked your personal site!!! I assume that is yours!!!

BTW....I'm a thinking that we need to get Ira interested in the "Urban Chicken Coop." I can see his neighbors now!!!!

[Grimrot]

Mariam C - I have been looking at Rae's Vardo. They are a very interesting design. It would be really cool to have a 2.5 ft tall camper travel that pops up to 5ft. I don't think it is possible with the weight restrictions I have though. I'm still thinking about a pop up section but I'm torn between it and a boat rack on top. Can't figure out both at the same time.


Juneaudave - I do dig the whole "less is more" philosophy. That's the reason I'm look to them instead of RVs or pop ups. Plus it is something I can build myself.

NeuseWorks is my side business. The site is in support of it. I will have the online store up very soon. I've been buried with Coop construction and Rain Barrel manufacturing.

Ira?

[steve wolverton]

It looks very similar to a slide-in camper for a pickup. Have you looked at those for ideas?

One thing I'd consider is a folding roof. This would give you standing ability, which is nice to have in a small camper. I would use a hinge on the front that allows the top to be raised. I'd also use canvas like a popup. You have the regular problems with canvas (shouldn't close it up when it's wet, it's not as soundproof, etc.) but you have a very lightweight setup, and you only have to mess with one hinge. You could attach the kayak saddles to the roof and it would work with the boats on/off the top (obviously it would be heavier to lift with the boats still up there) of the camper. The door could remain small so you could enter the camper with the roof raised, or in the lowered position.

Just tossing out ideas.

[SaGR]

Good idea Steve!

Hey who had the teardrop with the cloth sides? I remember a "galley hatch" that popped up with cloth sides and the door was at the rear once it was opened up.

[Grimrot]

Steve - I really like that idea. Lifting with a boat could be a challenge but might work...

[steve wolverton]

Steve - I really like that idea. Lifting with a boat could be a challenge but might work...

Nice rendering. I'd just take the boats off to lift the hatch and place them back on when it's lifted.

Also, depending on how much canvans you want, that hatch could raise up all the way vertically and that would give you a ton of room inside. (Obviously you wouldn't be able to keep the boats on there if you did that)

You could also sew clear vinyl in the canvas to let a ton of light in, and you wouldn't need any windows, or could use smaller ones. That would save quite a bit of weight too.

[poolking]

Hey Grimrot,

Could you do the Compact roof but with wood side frames and nylon sides? Windows zip down with mesh, like a tent would?

Just my 0.02.

poolking

[Grimrot]

Go ahead an just build a 1x2 birch frame and skin it like a West Greenland Style Kayak? Canvas Duck and Epoxy instead of Polyurethane. I bet I could keep it under 250lbs with a 4mm Okuma ply top and front.