Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

WizardOfOdds wrote:OP827 wrote:

"Another retractable caravan. Not sure if it is commercially manufactured of home made. This time from Czech Republic.
What is interesting is the lower door frame design that allows function it as one piece with upper door half."

and JasonC wrote:

"I like it, I've been playing with the idea of one that goes up and down or in and out but decided to KISS for my first one, no moving parts."

A very interesting trailer, I hope we find more about it. Maybe the video intended to feature the power lift, but the flap hinged door captures all the attention -- it seems the Slideavan (https://duckworks.com/slidavan-plans/ & viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64495&start=75#p1210338 ) and many other telescoping pop-ups could benefit from something like this.

We've seen a few examples of flap hinging used to align walls and doors, a good example may be the extending door jams of the famous Trailmanor ... there is pretty good view of it in the video in the append of July 27, 2017 (the one with the caption
"Notice the lower half of the door has two sections which allow it to align its hinge line with the upper half so the entire door can operate as a single unit. This is a common complication with telescoping top & bottom.") at this link:

I considered hinge flaps for both wall and door alignment several times, but always preferred simpler designs that didn't need them. My original plan for the Tip Top Tier Drop (which opens like a clam shell; roof hinged at one end) needed door alignment. The attraction of flap hinging was the hope of using the flip-out door jams to also support the elevated top. But things worked out far simpler with a more conventional design.

There's a tad bit of engineering in that one. It's cool, but all those seals make me nervous, that's a lot of potential failure points.

years ago, while riding the bicycle on the bike trail going through the town of Smelterville Idaho, took this picture on the opposite side of the trail from the local W-M with of this 'set-up' = complete with the mounted "Hot Tube" have stopped by this W-M a few times since and have yet to see it parked there again..............

gudmund wrote:years ago, while riding the bicycle on the bike trail going through the town of Smelterville Idaho, took this picture on the opposite side of the trail from the local W-M with of this 'set-up' = complete with the mounted "Hot Tube"

Quite an interesting snapshot & puzzle. As I see it, the "black tub" might be a pickup bed liner. My guess is he built the main unit before he acquired the tub and added it later. If so, the front wall was probably vertical and somewhat lower - it looks like he lifted the front end of the roof while also tilting the front wall to top the tub. That would explain the piece of plywood at the top of the side wall. The roof looks like a stretched tarp, and I like it's overhangs. The front wall looks like salvage from a house trailer. All built on what looks like a small boat trailer with a rear overhang. Anyway, that's how I see it, what is your interpretation??

Years ago I had 2 similar encounters, one at Devils Tower, Wyoming. I happened by a gent who mounted a pickup slide-in pop-up onto a trailer frame. It may have been "home", I don't recall much of our conversation. He was OK with me snapping a photo of his setup, but if I still have it, I'm not sure which camera card it is on. In the other encounter I spotted such a combination towed by a pickup with second slide-in mounted on its bed, sort of a duplex motor home/trailer.

I always thought an upside down bed liner might make a leak proof roof for a 6x8, needing only minimal framing & insulation. And did I see someone suggest making a fiberglass egg shell using matching fiberglass PU camper tops, one upside down as the base? So maybe with a little engineering you can use two liners with some added sidewalls. I remember seeing a video of an ice shanty built on a bed liner, but I think this is the first I've seen where one is used as a camper bed or slide out.

I love seeing the fruits of original thinking, especially when it makes economical use of little more than what would otherwise be in a landfill! That's where true genius shines, and it gives me a glitter of hope as I pass the piles of waste every collection day in the affluent neighborhoods. Thanks for the post.

I just remember walking over to it and having a quick look-see after taking the picture only to realize it was small 'homemade' hot-tube set-up on the front tongue area..........

Are you sure it's not just a lot of junk on it's way to the dump?

This is to add to the previous post on this caravan. Apparently it is built at home from an old caravan trailer and this video shows its mechanical design:

OP827 wrote:Another retractable caravan. Not sure if it is commercially manufactured or home made. This time from Czech Republic.
What is interesting is the lower door frame design that allows function it as one piece with upper door half.

Not quite tiny, but definitely unusual.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/meet ... 04908.html

Not quite a teardrop, and way beyond my price, but might have some interesting ideas, besides weighing only 250 pounds.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/the- ... 07075.html

I've posted many finds from the ice fishing community which has produced many simple folding huts that I thought had interesting camping possibilities. In particular, I found the "Ontario style" hut to be particularly simple, light weight, and have a great open/closed height ratio. In addition to the many DIY versions, there is at least one comerical version (with a folding floor). Although used more like a tent, it clearly has camper application but I had trouble finding anyone who tried it. Eventually I found a video of an Ontario folding pickup camper, but the slide show video went 'no longer available' shortly after my post. My attempt to replace that video with a wordy description probably did not gather much attention. Here is a link to my original post of Aug 2020 on pg 9 of this thread https://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64495&start=120#p1267550



Well the builder has posted a new slide show video that is far more comprehensive than the original. Note when folded, it adds next to nothing to the height the truck bed, maintaining an unobstructed view out his cab's rear window. Makes carrying along his canoe as simple as with no camper!

Like any covered wagon or tent, I suppose it can be hot in direct sunlight, and I hate the lack of side windows. But I love the very low fold down height, high open ceiling, and zero exposure of the interior to rain while opening.

As I suggested earlier, I think the Ontario design is actually better matched to a trailer than a pick-up: For one, it is easy to extend the door down to the floor level avoiding a 'step-over'entry. For another, the front is more accessible simplifying erection and closing. Judge for yourself.

How did i miss this one??
Video speaks for itself, English Closed Caption