Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm wondering if it would be feasible to "tilt" the front wall of a Benroy to create a place to "recline" when reading or while watching someting on a flatscreen. Could add some kind of padding to the tilted wall. Would give another possible position to be in if stuck inside for awhile during rain etc.

I'm on a tablet and quickly installed a program to draw a rough sketch. Apologies for the roughness.

The great thing about building a tear drop is you can do what ever you think is good for you. A pillow would also work when sitting up. I use a sofa cushion at the head of the bed. I know it is a rough sketch but your radius's are a little small. Go for it.

Maybe tilt the back to match .. make it look Cool !!!

The front end of a Grumman feels as if you're sitting in a recliner.




Tony

I like the Gruman too...

Check out what I did as well... viewtopic.php?p=1101296#p1101296

You might have a hard time bending that front radius.





Mike...

GPW, remembering you from my rc days. I built and flew a Boxy-Z way back when it came out as an article in one of the mags. That little plane got more attention at the field than anything, especially when I would catch it instead of landing it in the grass. I flew it so much I got really good at it. Also built an Albatross. Was pretty much my first 3Dish plane. Those little foamies made us fearless, didn't they? Cost and time investment was so low. That's what led me to this section. (For those of you that don't know, those are both planes designed by GPW.)

Cool profile. I'll keep that in mind.

mikeschn wrote:I like the Gruman too...

Check out what I did as well... viewtopic.php?p=1101296#p1101296

You might have a hard time bending that front radius.


Mike...

Dang! I searched for "recline" and came up with nothing, yet there is your answer. Gotta get better at searching.

The rough sketch really is rough. I just was afraid I wouldn't be able to get the idea across with words only. Not sure what that radius will be in the end, but is there really a "too small" radius when using foam and cloth?

My wife is not tall so that's why I like the Benroy more straight rear. I don't see her being able to lean in for deeper set shelves. I'm not really going to be trying to copy any specific style. Just want functional, light, and strong.

Thanks for the input. This place is great.

TP, Glad to hear from you again , and welcome to our little Foamie trailer family ... Anything I can do to be of help please let me know ...

Ps. My OFB is coming over tomorrow (Spaghetti day) andI was thinking about cutting of a couple new "flying" Foamies ...

Here’s another thought ... recliner front, flat at the rear with an optional overhang to keep the weather off the door and look cool too ... Plus the option of a Grumman-ish’ front profile ... Just an exploratory drawing to search for ideas ... you know !!!

Recliners work because they not only tilt the back but also the seat along with it so they sort of cradle your body. Typical (upright) chair design back slope ranges from 8-10 degrees. If you don't have a sloped seat and your back slant is more than that and you'll always fight sliding away from the wall. Not to say this is a bad idea, I actually think it's a great one, but be careful you don't end up with something that doesn't work. Might be appropriate to do a mock-up on the family room floor.

Best,
Tom

GPW, wish I had your drawing/illistration ability. Used Turbocad way back when I was designing rc planes, but that's all gone (physically as well as from my head) from lack of use. Been looking at SketchUp.
The final design will mainly be what makes the wife happy. Not going to be a standy...at least a first one is not. Want the option of being able to tow behind her Saturn with a 1000 lb. tow limit. So far she wants the rear galley and doors on both sides. The recline is my idea knowing how much we both like to read in our recliners.

Tom Kurth wrote:Recliners work because they not only tilt the back but also the seat along with it so they sort of cradle your body.

Tom, true. Know this from trying to read reclined in bed. Always end up sliding down. Been already thinking about a special shaped cusion/backrest. Something like this:


Will definitely do a mockup...of just about everthing.

Hi and Welcome! I believe the the statement about curves is a little different on big pieces of foam. you really might want to read some of the earlier post about kerfing and some of the problems with taking a 2 inch piece of foam and bending it into place and all the problems (dust) and how easy it is to goof up. I went with thin foam to make my curves and it was very difficult. My next foamie is a standie, just a little curve on the front. Good luck and I will be very interested in how you build yours. For what it is worth I take a few extra pillows and get the reclining position.

Mary C.

Mary C wrote:Hi and Welcome! I believe the the statement about curves is a little different on big pieces of foam. you really might want to read some of the earlier post about kerfing and some of the problems with taking a 2 inch piece of foam and bending it into place and all the problems (dust) and how easy it is to goof up. I went with thin foam to make my curves and it was very difficult. My next foamie is a standie, just a little curve on the front. Good luck and I will be very interested in how you build yours. For what it is worth I take a few extra pillows and get the reclining position.

Mary C.

Thanks, Mary. I really appreciate how often you provide ideas and support in the foamie section. I've noticed you are one of the regular foamie supporters.
Luckily, because of my experience building foam airplanes and using foam for theater work (I guess I forgot to say my day job is a drama teacher with quite a bit of stagecraft in my background), it's one area I feel comfortable about...one of the reasons I was drawn here. I actually have multiple wire cutting devices (all homemade) from a "table saw" for cutting large blocks... down to little bent shapes I fit into my soldering gun for cutting channels, etc., and I'm not afraid to make more. Got a wealth of ideas from George and his #1.

I do have a lot to learn about applying things to teardrops for sure. For example, all the theater stuff is indoors and my planes were stored indoors as well, so the whole standing up to the elements thing will be new to me. Also, I've never even owned a trailer. Pulled them on occasion when hauling theater crap, but that's about it.

I have one thing to say about putting a recliner along the front. I am concerned that you will be putting a lot of strain against that front wall. With the weight of the recliner and people wiggling around I could see a scenario of structural failure. If I were to do it, I would turn the seating arrangement around and use the bulk head as a back support for a recliner. At least the bulkhead, if built like mine, would have the extra support of the kitchenette shelves for extra support. Another reason I turned the sleeping arrangement around is that the front shelves give the front wall support. Also, I did not want to deal with a radius about head height when reclining. Just some suggestions.

Thanks, George. That was actually my main concern when I posed the question.

So you don't think 2 inch foam bound with canvas will be strong enough?

I could add plywood laminated to the outside of that wall as well as a tongue box shaped to add support to that plywood still leaving area for a battery and other small storage.

Turning the sleep area around is another possibility as you say.

So many possibilities!

I would say yes to more support other than just foam. A attached battery box would probably work if done properly.