Basic 4 sleeper on a 5x8 frame

[Guntr]

Please skip the following paragraph...

So I had started a major camper restoration about two years ago (http://mytraveltrailerrestoration.blogspot.ca/), but then I got laid off from my job so pretty much everything got put on hold. Luckily I found a new very awesome job, but unfortunately it's a bit of a commute. Had to sell my truck in favour of a much more fuel efficient Toyota Corolla. This left me with less time to work on the camper and less motivation knowing I wouldn't be able to tow it anyway. I had bought an old bolt-together HF type 60"'x96" trailer from my father-in-law and thought about building a box trailer just to haul tent and camping gear with. Then I thought, it would be nice if I could make it just tall enough for seats and a table (no standing) for during rainstorms. This led to some drawings which led to more drawings and I soon realized I just might be able to squeeze a 54"x72" bed/dinette and two 24"x72" bunks if I extend over the floor just over the wheels on both sides...

So my plan is to use the below 60"'x96" trailer frame to build a 76"x108" four sleeper VERY basic camper. Current idea is one 54"x72" bed/dinette opposite two 24"x72" bunks with a 24" "hallway" between and a closet with a slide out chemical toilet. The ceiling height will be only 66" I figure crouching in a tiny camper has got to be better than crouching in a tent right? All cooking and cleaning will be done outside just like we would if tenting it.

I hope to keep the total weight under 1000lbs and the profile as small as possible.



I welcome all feedback and suggestions.

[Guntr]

Here's a rough draft of my current plan. Still getting used to LibreCAD so please pardon the crudeness.





Walls are 1.5" thick, but I plan to cut 3/4" plywood into 1.5" strips to use as studs to try and save weight and gain strength.

Thoughts?

[rebapuck]

Not sure what you intend with the word "closet". Shelving would be appropriate for camping rather than hanging space. I used plastic dishpans as drawers for my clothes.

Otherwise, looks good to me. With your tight time, simple is better. Get the kids involved.

[Guntr]

Postby rebapuck » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:17 pm

Not sure what you intend with the word "closet". Shelving would be appropriate for camping rather than hanging space. I used plastic dishpans as drawers for my clothes.

Otherwise, looks good to me. With your tight time, simple is better. Get the kids involved.

I was using the word "closet" rather loosely. Generic storage is more like it.

I love the dishpan drawer idea! Nice and light, yet durable. Thanks for the tip! Did you do anything special to prevent them from sliding out while on the road?

My five year old daughter has been helping me at every step so far, although I don't think she's completely sure what the goal is yet.

[iregan]

Hey there, nice plan!!
I wouldn't use plywood strips for studs, rule of thumb when screwing or nailing into plywood is to go through the laminations, not parallel to them.
Why not just pick up 1x2's? they are cheap and have the same dimensions you wanted.
Regan

[Guntr]

Hey there, nice plan!!
I wouldn't use plywood strips for studs, rule of thumb when screwing or nailing into plywood is to go through the laminations, not parallel to them.
Why not just pick up 1x2's? they are cheap and have the same dimensions you wanted.
Regan

Very good point. I was hoping 3/4"x1/5" plywood "studs" would be stronger than 1x2's. Do you think if I just glued and brad nailed they would be ok? I could toe-nail each joint to hit layers of both at an angle?

[Al Swope]

what is the interior width? The layout looks neat. How long are the mattresses?

[iregan]

Honestly I don't think you will gain any strength going with plywood instead of 1x2's.
Regan

[Guntr]

what is the interior width? The layout looks neat. How long are the mattresses?

Interior width should end up about 72 3/4" and planning on 72" mattresses. I'm 5' 11" so it will be tight, but I wanted to keep this thing as small as possible. Committed at this point as I already cut my floor plywood to width.

Honestly I don't think you will gain any strength going with plywood instead of 1x2's.
Regan

Ripping 1x2's out of plywood will also be easier than finding straight regular 1x2's, cheaper too,

[Guntr]

Floor plywood is joined, wheel well holes cut, and some of the floor bracing glued and screwed in place.

[stonykill]

looking great so far

[RandyG]

I wouldn't use plywood for studs, it WILL split and lose it's strength. Plus, if you try to screw through a skin, are you sure you can hit that stud dead center? Just my $.02.
That frame looks good and strong.

[Guntr]

looking great so far

Thanks stonykill!

I wouldn't use plywood for studs, it WILL split and lose it's strength. Plus, if you try to screw through a skin, are you sure you can hit that stud dead center? Just my $.02.
That frame looks good and strong.

So I'm getting the impression my plywood stud idea isn't recommended? Read close to half a dozen posts in other topics and most agree that plywood for studs isn't worth the possible strength tradeoff. Think I'm going to head everyone's advice and use 1x2's for studs instead. Will probably rip my own from 2x12's. That said, I think I will still use plywood for the curved corners.

Here's an updated pic. Beginning to see the layout come to shape. Also decided to glue/screw 2x2's around the bottom perimeter before I flip it to apply the black goo.

[dano]

Wow its looking great I want build something very close to what your doing someday so I will be watching your build.
Thanks for sharing.
Dano

[Guntr]

The weekend is here, I've bought a bunch of wood, and am on holidays for the next two weeks! Hope to get some real progress on this thing between the "plans" and yard work SWMBO will inevitably have for me.

I did come up a design I'm a bit more happy with. That large flat level roof was bothering me. Added a 6' man too. Anyone know a good source for free CAD people blocks? Would really like a top and front/back view in this style.



What does everyone think?