Here's an idea...

[Shrug53]

This may be kind of crazy but here it goes. How about a tear of traditional size and shape, where one of the walls folds completely down?
What I am picturing is you park your little 4x8 and then unlatch one of the side walls and fold it flat (probably with a couple of support legs to keep it from overextending).

I did a quick sketch here.

Tell me what you think!

[tdthinker]

I think it is a cool little idea.

[jimqpublic]

The tent could have permanently installed hoops that parallel the roofline of the main trailer, just a bit smaller so they'd fit inside. If you made the seam just above the fender there wouldn't be a need for the cutout.

Look at http://www.flippac.com/ for a similar idea in truck campers, but where the roof folds 180 degrees instead of this case where the wall folds 90.

[Shrug53]

That is not a bad idea about the hinge being higher. Wherever I put it would just need to be the same height as the bed surface.
I am not sure about the hoops. I think I would just let the canvas form a natural curve, since it would only be there to widen the sleeping area (so we can flail our arms and toss and turn)

[Shrug53]

Does anybody know where I can get this heavy canvas, which should be waterproof? What is a good strong way of attaching it?

[Shrug53]

Oh and if you drive nails through that kind of canvas, will it rip? Is it easy to sew?

Thanks.

[mikeschn]

I don't know anything about canvas. That why I work with wood. But maybe someone else knows...

Mike...

[tomtrifik]

My only quesion/comment would be "Why?" What is the additional space for - extra sleeping space? One of things I like most about the teardrop design is the cozy, cocoon like feeling of the interior. I do like the looks and use of an outside privacy awning or tent as an extra room for changing clothes or for the kids to sleep in, though. Just my 2 cents...

[Shrug53]

It would be for extra sleeping space. My wife and I would have trouble even in a 5' width. We sleep on a super king bed, even a queen is kind of cramped for us. The fold down wall would provide us room for arm flailing and such. And we are the little ones in the family. My brother-in-law is 6'8 and 380# He is converting an old school bus in to a camper.

[beverlyt]

The only problem I would have with it is that you no longer have a "hardsided" trailer. Instead of a canvas pop-up trailer, we went with a teardrop because I feel more secure in the "wild" with something more substantial then canvas. Course, if that isn't an issue with you, I guess it would work great to give you the extra space you need. Great for those of us too who would like to bring dogs along...dogs that hog too much room in the precious small sleeping space.
The other thing that comes to mind is just one more place to make sure you can build it watertight.
Bev

[Wild Mike]

In a previous life the frame of my new tear was attached to a simple pop up camper. When we bought it the canvas wasn't in the best of shape and after a few nights out we decided to make a new top. We used non rip stop nylon. As in all nylon tents if you touch the sides during a rain it will seep through.

You could check the yellow pages for awning makers or tent makers and they will have the canvas.

Nice idea ... an easy way to enlarge your sleep area.

Wild Mike

[angib]

Like everything in this life, it's been done before:



Not sure if the bushwacker hat and jodhpur pants come with the canvas or not...

Andrew

[Shrug53]

I'm pretty sure I will need one of those hats!

[mikeschn]

That's our infamous pop-up rotated 90*!!!

Mike...