
It'll actually be the 4th trailer I've designed though. Last winter my good friend decided he wanted a teardrop for he and his wife, so we sat down at my computer and drew one up to suit their needs. I helped him build it last winter and they did quite a few trips in the past year.
So for this winter, the plan was to sell my current trailer, The X-II, and then start on the new design. Well the X-II is still hanging around, but that's not going to stop the new build. The show must go on!! Although, all the money I have tied up in the X-II will keep the new build at a snails pace until the right person comes along to scoop it up.
On with the details....
The original plan was to do a full custom frame with torsion axle. Well I got some quotes on the custom frame and they were a bit higher than I expected. So I toned it back and decided on the Northern Tool 5x8 kit. However, I will be ditching the leaf spring and axle from the kit, and still going with a Dexter torsion axle. I'll also be replacing the 12" wheels/tires with 15" aluminum wheels and radial tires.
Using the NT kit as a base allows for a few things:
1. Its saving me about $700, compared to the custom frame (this money saved will go towards the new axle, wheels, and tires)
2. It comes with a VIN number and Certificate of Origin, which will make registration much easier than a full custom trailer
3. I can sell the stock axle/springs, wheels/tires, fenders, and lights on Craigslist (or here) and get a few dollars to put back into the trailer build
The X-Cubed is a modified mini-hopper/weekender design, with a trolley-top and angled nose. And you know I couldn't completely abandon the convertible concept, so a 4' wide by 4'-8" long section of the trolley top will be hinged so that it can lift up, exposing a screened roof section. That hinged section of roof will also have two 15" x 44" cell-cast clear acrylic panels to let light in. The rear of the trolley top will also have an acrylic window.
Overall body length will be about 10'-5" and it will be 60" wide on the inside. Walls will be insulated stick-framed, and 3/16" skins inside and out. Overall height will be 6'-8" (empty) so it will still fit in my garage. Overall width (with custom fenders) will be 80". Doors will be the factory-style 26x36. The tongue will be modified just as I did on the HF trailers.
And of course it will have all the "bells & whistles" of The X-II. There will be two 100W solar panels - one on the roof, and one on the rear hatch. There will be remote control LED lighting throughout, a stereo system with speakers inside and out, two deep cycle batteries, fantastic fan, etc, etc, etc. Both the rear hatch and the operable roof will have gas struts and locks.
I present to you, the "X-Cubed Compact Travel Trailer"
The bones of the design....
A possible paint scheme (but we all know I'll change my mind a dozen times)....
As usual, I'm definitely more than excited to start building! This one will be a challenge, but I'm really looking forward to it!
Build Thread Index
02/20/2014 - Northern Tool 5x8 Trailer Kit Arrives - viewtopic.php?p=1065431#p1065431
02/22/2014 - Kit Assembled & Torflex Axle Info - viewtopic.php?p=1065563#p1065563
03/03/2014 - Tongue Extension Info - viewtopic.php?p=1067349#p1067349
03/11/2014 - Sawdust - viewtopic.php?p=1068734#p1068734
03/18/2014 - Battery Cage - viewtopic.php?p=1070019#p1070019
03/21/2014 - Floor Assembly - viewtopic.php?p=1070309#p1070309
03/23/2014 - Begin Wall Framing - viewtopic.php?p=1070681#p1070681
03/30/2014 - Skinning the Walls/ Starting Galley Bulkhead - viewtopic.php?p=1071734#p1071734
04/01/2014 - Hinge Spar & Galley Counter - viewtopic.php?p=1072208#p1072208
04/06/2014 - Upper Galley / Trolley Top Framing - viewtopic.php?p=1072879#p1072879
04/12/2014 - Main Roof Framing - viewtopic.php?p=1073696#p1073696
04/14/2014 - Interior Ceiling Panels - viewtopic.php?p=1074106#p1074106
04/16/2014 - Wheels and Tires - viewtopic.php?p=1074377#p1074377
04/20/2014 - Upper galley and Interior - viewtopic.php?p=1074963#p1074963
04/20/2014 - Hatch Construction - viewtopic.php?p=1075045#p1075045
04/23/2014 - Roof Hatch - viewtopic.php?p=1075469#p1075469
04/24/2014 - Wiring Diagram - viewtopic.php?p=1075697#p1075697
04/29/2014 - Interior Paint - viewtopic.php?p=1076540#p1076540
05/01/2014 - Wiring and LED's - viewtopic.php?p=1076877#p1076877
05/06/2014 - Roof Skins - viewtopic.php?p=1077556#p1077556
05/09/2014 - Wiring Stereo and Batteries - viewtopic.php?p=1077941#p1077941
05/10/2014 - Wiring PD4045 Power Center - viewtopic.php?p=1078126#p1078126
05/14/2014 - Exterior Skins - viewtopic.php?p=1078768#p1078768
05/20/2014 - Hatch Lights - viewtopic.php?p=1079516#p1079516
05/27/2014 - Acrylic Skylights and Exterior Paint - viewtopic.php?p=1080265#p1080265
06/03/2014 - Lower Galley Bulkhead Doors - viewtopic.php?p=1081345#p1081345
06/04/2014 - Side Lights and Skylight Curtains - viewtopic.php?p=1081494#p1081494
06/05/2014 - MAIDEN VOYAGE!! - viewtopic.php?p=1082077#p1082077
06/30/2014 - Repair Galley Hatch - viewtopic.php?p=1084782#p1084782
03/03/2016 - UPDATE!!! Finished galley, rear receiver, headboard, fenders, replaced galley hatch - viewtopic.php?p=1163106#p1163106
03/07/2016 - Patch front corner - viewtopic.php?p=1163565#p1163565
09/27/2016 - Installed Air Conditioning - viewtopic.php?p=1185192#p1185192
11/09/2016 - Finishing galley hatch with LED lighing - viewtopic.php?p=1190189#p1190189
11/20/2016 - Painted some parts/fenders with Herculiner - viewtopic.php?p=1190190#p1190190
02/28/2017 - Remodeled headboard/electrical compartment- http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=1197911#p1197911
05/08/2017 - Fresh new paint design! - http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=1204092#p1204092
07/06/2017 - Air Conditioner exhaust vents - viewtopic.php?p=1209204#p1209204
07/17/2017 - Air Conditioner installation - http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=1210179#p1210179
03/03/2019 - Made the cover story for CoolTears Magazine! - viewtopic.php?p=1244837#p1244837
Thanks for looking!
