Aliner Modifications

[GlamperGirl]

So, when MountainBiker and I joined this forum, we had a Little Guy Teardrop. After the first season, MountainBiker decided the LG was a little too small so we sold it and we purchased An A-liner. Still tiny but with the room to stand up.
We camped with the Aliner all last year taking note of what we would like to change inside. This past May we started the modifications.
The original Aliner inside consisted of a sofa area that converts to a 76x56 (approx) bed on the left hand side of the trailer. There is also a water container that we never used hidden underneath. The original framing was 3 sections of thin plywood panels that created the bed. The wood flexed very easily especially where there was no support at the front.
We will make this into a permanent bed and put in better bed framing, remove the water container for more storage area and hinge the plywood so that it will be easier to access the storage area
a very small sink, a propane stove, a 3 way fridge with some storage space under the sink area.
We have taken out the sink and the stove components. We will keep the metal shell from the stove to store our dishes inside it. And the sink area will become a hidden laundry chute for dirty clothes, etc. The fridge will remain.

To the right side of the door was a dinette with a heavy folding table and that side coverted into a second, smaller bed area. Under one of the benches is the battery and that will remain.
Since there is normally just the two of us, we are removing the dinette table completely. This will become more storage with a drawer cabinet made to fit between the benches. We will have two seats that could be changed into one single bed in case we bring an extra person along.
There is also a small cabinet just inside and to the left of the door that has a cupboard with 2 pull out drawers underneath.
Likely this will remain as it is for now.

[GlamperGirl]

This weekend we are starting to put things back in place.


This is the drawer cabinet. We had a shelving/storage solution store make it for us. It fits perfectly between the two bench seats where the dinette originally was. It is fastened to the bench seat framing.


The new countertop is in - stained to match the drawer cabinet.


We kept the insert from the stove but gutted the inside components.


Inside now keeps our main dishes - plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, etc.
I may add a magnetic strip with hooks along the inside of the lid so that when we are camping and the lid is up, we could hang some utensils from it.


I still have to make the hatch lid, but this is where the hideaway "laundry chute" is located. There is also some room for some more storage inside this cabinet but I haven't quite decided what to do with it.


This is the permanent bed frame setup. The bed area is approx 55 inches wide and 76 inches long. We were able to use one 4x8 sheet. Two short pieces are at the farthest end and they are fastened down permanently to the wood framing underneath.


The larger piece of plywood is hinged to the smaller pieces. This will allow us to lift up the front part to gain access to the storage underneath. Also, we took out the water container in the area to the right, so we have additional storage. (we normally carry water in a separate jug and leave it outside by the cooking area).

That's it so far. I'll post some more pix as we get more done.

[CHUNKYMONKEY]

Nice Job! We rented an ALiner this summer. I am midway through my first teardrop build. We loved the ease and stand up room but during that weekend, I broke my leg. I found the cabinets in the middle very cumberson once i had to maneuver my boot in and out of the bed. I think your modifications make a lot of sense and I hope you find it very comfortable. I think i would remove the storage cabinet and relocated that storage under the bed like you did.

Happy camping!

[GlamperGirl]

Here are some of the modifications put to the test this past fall ...


This is where the sink and stove top used to be. New countertop has been stained and varnished.

The hatchway for the hidden laundry chute. It is a piece of coated plastic made to look like old tin.

Here is everything opened up. We kept the shell of the old stove top and are using it for storing dishes.

And this shows the cupboard doors under the laundry chute. Doors open for some additional storage from hanging fabric shelves.

The permanent bed area - complete with guard dog who thinks it is just for her!

The dinette side. We got rid of the dinette table completely and put in a chest of drawers for clothes.

We kept the bench storage but changed seats to patio cushions.
The idea is to keep it so that if needed we could make it into a single bed area but otherwise it is just a seating area.

The storage cabinet by the door remains unchanged.

This is one of those handles to help people get in and out of the bathtub safely... re-purposed to give me something to grab onto when stepping into the trailer.
There are suction cups that lock onto a surface. It just unlocks and comes off for storage inside the trailer while travelling.

[S. Heisley]

Good job of making your trailer's cabin more useful for you. Thanks for sharing!

[Ron Dickey]

keep up the good work looks great

[tearhead]

Very "Glamper"-ous as well as functional! Good for you!

[mezmo]

Customizing for your needs and use patterns is the way to go.

Your efforts look great !

Just thought I'd mention, for something to consider, that a lot of
vintage English caravans [TTs] often had a chest, like the one you
installed, between two gauchos/seats, that had a table of 2-3 sections
that were hinged together, and to the chest's top, and which folded up
and were stored on top of the chest so that when stored they looked
like they were the top of the chest. When a table was needed or
wanted for use, they just folded it out. A similar set up may be usefull
if you wanted some table space inside on a rainy day at camp etc..

What works for you is the best way to go.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo