Drop Floor

[Jst83]

Or maybe raisable floor
I planning a drop floor in the back of a trailer but if I do it'll tear off going out of my drive way or up any other steep hill So my thought is a retracable drop floor that I can raise for travel then lower when I get to point B. Any ideas on an easy way I might accomplish this I've been racking my brains, it'll be about 3' x 6' by the way so it's a larger area to raise and lower.

Thanks for any ideas

[GuitarPhotog]

The bigger problem than raising and lowering will be sealing it when it's raised so water doesn't get in while you're towing.

<Chas>

[Lgboro]

Sounds like a heavy option to me. I have always been so weight conscious with my builds I don't think it would be an option for me.

[CarlLaFong]

How far do you want it to drop? I was thinking that it wouldn't be hard to rig up a drop floor that goes all the way to the ground, maybe with four little feet to keep it out of the mud. It could have soft sides, like a pop up, only upside down. Some T molding and some rubber seals, like the doors use could probably be rigged up to keep the water out. There must be some sort of draw latches that would pull it up tight from the inside.
Just some seat of the pants engineering in my semi addled brain, but it's doable

[KennethW]

How about a skirt with a floor that drops to the ground then in use. With snaps to hold it up when traveling. A removable or sliding lid would cover the hole when not in use and the hole could be used for light storage. You would be walking on the ground so it would not have to be to heavily built and it should be water tight at all times.
.

[Treeview]

Make it out of sheet metal. That will keep weight down.You could have a sheet metal shop fabricate one or build one yourself. Even if you don't have a brake you can clamp metal between two pieces of angle iron and hammer the flanges over. Pop rivets with good sealant will work.

There are plenty of options for sealing. Look at garage door weatherstripping.

Tom

[mezmo]

Hi Jst83,

Forum member emiller from AZ has a vintage breadloaf with that feature:
viewtopic.php?t=41308&p=762623
Pics from his pic link for that:
https://oldietrailer.shutterfly.com/pictures/100#100

Here's a vintage Australian home-built wide TD with a rear "drop-out" floor.
The rear walking area pulls out and is placed on the ground to walk on.
http://vintagecaravans.proboards.com/in ... 601&page=1
You could do the same and use infill side panels of canvas or 1/4-1/2 inch plywood
you could attach when setting up if you want sides.

Andd here is a post I did a couple years ago on a 1949 Zimmer Wee-Zim that has
that feature:
viewtopic.php?t=43716&p=819252

'Hope these help some.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[RandyG]

SHEET METAL! Would be fairly easy, cut a board to size and bend the flanges around it with a mallet. Use something softer, not T-3 or higher, 5052H-34 would be perfect.

[aggie79]

You probably ought to check out this thread: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=33828 . It has a drop floor that raises for travel and lowers at the campground. It is operated by a cable and pulley system.

[Jst83]

The bigger problem than raising and lowering will be sealing it when it's raised so water doesn't get in while you're towing.

<Chas>

Never really worried about water splashing up while traveling I never even sealed the bottom of my old tear and it was the sides that rotted out on it

How far do you want it to drop? I was thinking that it wouldn't be hard to rig up a drop floor that goes all the way to the ground, maybe with four little feet to keep it out of the mud

Don't want it to go to the ground just low enough to give me 6' head height and be able to get it in the garage. But some flip down feet might not be a bad idea to help stable it

How about a skirt

I was thinging canvas sided would fold up easy and keep bugs out

On a side note anyone know where you could get the material like what's around the drop floor on this camper I need it for another coveertable top project about 48"x11'
https://oldietrailer.shutterfly.com/pictures/100#100

You probably ought to check out this thread: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=33828 . It has a drop floor that raises for travel and lowers at the campground. It is operated by a cable and pulley system.

OK I really like this with canvas sides that could snap or velcro in when down so when I walk (crawl) while it's up I wouldn't have to step over the side. I just need to figure out the plly system from the 3 pictures

Thank you all for some wonderful ideas