Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I finally placed the ambulance box on top of the trailer. I put the trailer together from a military M101 trailer frame and a boat trailer. I added a center bar that goes back to the second crossmember. I used the original leaf springs, but mounted them underneath a 3500# Dexter axle that has electric brakes and a parking brake. I'm using 14" tires.
The overall size of the trailer is some 15'. The box is 10'. The overall width is 69" of the box. The inside is 68" high. Don't have a weight, but was told 1300-1400#s.

My plans are to remove the rear doors and add in a single entrance doorway, problaby centered. I'm wanting to cut away the kickout from the tires back to provide more interior room in the back and give a square back wall. The front can remain like a slide in, but I'm wanting to add a 'U' shaped storage layout that goes from one side over the tongue back to the other side. The front of the storage will be a little high on the box. Access will be from inside and out. The exterior material, I'm thinking, would be OD canvas from military tents.

I drilled the frame for 20" of movement on the rear axle @5" intervals. Currently, the centerline of the axle is 53" from the most rear portion of the frame. I have 5" forward or 5" and 10" backward to locate the axle. I haven't removed anything from the inside but its a little rear heavy.

Since I finally put the box on the trailer, I'm comtemplating all this, or fabbing a square base and removing the lower portion and keeping it this tall or making it smaller with a pop-top. I've been told that there is no structure to this and that the walls are 1+" thick with interior and exterior fiberglass and insulation foam. Since the box was on a military truck, it may have seen top damage from the tree limbs. This may have introduce water into the wall cavity. If I was to start cutting, I'd have to add a structure frame layout, which I don't think would be too hard to do.

Any ideas?

Hmm, interesting find.

I'd be thinking poptop for some head room and a side foldout bed like on many of the hybrid trailers. Here is a picture of on Oryx trailer (from some one on the forum) with both.


Then on the other side have a door that opens up forming an awning. That could gives you access to a kicthen / galley area. I'd have to think about it a bit but I'm sure you could do it so the kitchen / galley is accessible from both inside or outside.

Look forward to seeing how it progresses.

Well, overall exterior dimensions really through this for a loop.


Had about 2" on this side



and 6-7" on that side


So in debating on sectioning the camper by about 12", lowering it some 12", fabbing some front and rear panels, and boxing the base so that I could easily move it to the storage location, it is on its way to the next owner in northern CA.


Dimensions on paper don't make reality settle in till you actually hit it.

8 wood trusses some plywood and a couple square of shingles and you would have had a dandy mini barn.

So ya gave up and sold " THE BOX " ???

Wasn't real aerodynamic anyway.

And could you imagine out camping and all the little concerned faces of fellow campers to greet you in the morning lined up waiting for the "RED CROSS GUY" to bandage their Boo Boo's.

I'd say the 8-9" clearance was plenty to get in and out of the gate. I put mine in the neighbors garage for the winter with a half inch clearance at each fender! It was tight but it fit without hittin'! Room enough!!

Well, its too tight for me. I debated on slicing it up to make it work, but then I'd probably have to add some kind of inner or exterior structure to support. So might as well start from scratch and go from there.

This also has been a learning experience for me. The overall size is imperative to aerodynamics as well as weight. The TD I had was easily manueverable into the space, just on the small side for 2 or even 3. Plus the storage space was not a plus.

Hi Mike,

Could you have modified your fence on the garage side? Making the gate wider?

Just wondering.

tk

Sorry your plan didn't work out. Good luck with the build.

Sorry it did not work out Mike.
I like the idea of using a Comm Box. You might have been able to add a fuax rounded nose storage are to where the window in the front was or remove the panel it looked like is bolted to the front.
That would have helped the AIRO effect of the flat front end.
You made a good choice and have a better idea of what you want to build now from the learning experiences to work around.


Pat

packerz4 wrote:Hi Mike,

Could you have modified your fence on the garage side? Making the gate wider?

Just wondering.

tk

There is the ac condensor unit there. That is why the post is out more. In the spring, I'll use a walk-behind skid loader to 'level' the side out better than it is. I've got a hole from an old tree that needs to be filled and leveled.

Hi Mike,
Don't give up. I'm sorry it did'nt work out , but I'm sure you've learned some things to make your new build better. I've had many costly mistakes and mishaps in my life, But always try to learn from the situation. I've heard in Japan the same word for tragedy is also the word for opertunety ( Sorry I spell in ebonics). Good luck, and please keep us updated on your new project.