My design will be based on the Compact 3 design, but instead if using 1/8" panels on both sides with wood framing members, I am going to use a combination of building methods and materials...mostly from boat and kit car designs...my plan is to be as light as possible and yet have the strength of a well designed new camp trailer that can be towed anywhere.
DESIGN:
I will be using a sandwich foam core design with 1/8" panel inside and 1/4" on the outside...the compact is a great design but lacks character and cuteness...I am going to push the side out with a round belt line to add dimension to the inside, about a 15-20 degree angle, roughly 30" from the floor...I will also be doing only 2 front panels instead of 3...the front will be angled to a point that looks attractive and will serve as extra storage inside and help cut through the air...I will be moving the rear door to one side to increase the bathroom space...I want to incorporate a sit down shower for the extended trips...the shower will be fully glassed and sealed and epoxy painted for protection, the gray water will drain into a holding tank to be dumped later...the porta-potty will be removable from the space but still thinking of that build for the bathroom...pretty much everything else in the Compact design will be used.
CRITERIA:
My requirements for this tiny travel trailer are simple...I want to be able to go 4-5 days in the middle of nowhere and be self sufficient, so a sit down shower is mandatory...cooking, cleaning of dishes and having enough storage for clothes and food is necessary...having cool air and heat is also a comfort were all used to...still figuring a simple solution for heat and air, Ice is good but will melt in a days time...I am going to experiment with some dry ice this weekend and I'll let you know what I find...dry ice is extremely cold and was thinking about a small box with a fan to blow over the ice for a cooling effect instead of a A/C unit...heat is fairly simple, a propane or oil lamp flame under a brick would radiant some good heat with a low speed fan to transfer the heat...these are just some of the ideals I have rattling around in my head, I'm trying to keep the camping situation as green as possible.
CONCLUSION:
I have been inspired very much by all the great builds on this forum...it gives me great confidence to know I have a lot of support just waiting to lend some advise or suggestions as I start the build...I am hoping to get started very soon and hope that my design will turn out OK...it's very hard for me to put down on paper a drawing or try to use a CAD design software to show you all what it will look like, all I can do is describe my design...I have had great success building a dune buggy and a VW trike with no drawing at all, most people are amazed at my craftsmanship...I just hope that using new technology and build on the fly design will turn out like I hope it will as I am good with wood working and have done some fiberglass, using epoxies for different materials will be interesting to see the results...I am certain that my sandwich foam design will be very cozy inside...in fact, ice will last longer in a foam cooler then it will in a plastic cooler...ever notice that a foam cup never sweats like a wax paper cup or a plastic cup does...foam is a great insulator!
My goal is to be around a 1000lbs empty(I might be dream'n) and a budget in the $2500 range...I will do my best to keep all documented build pictures and descriptions as simple as possible...when I am finished I will hope to inspire others to build their version of my build.
Thanks for reading my long winded opening segment to my MiniCamper42
