Hi jjkrem,
Welcome to the forum. [Why not do a short intro in the
'newbie' section to introduce yourself too. That'll probably
reach more members initially, then post/ask-questions
where you think is best, like here for your tip-out.]
That kind of tip-out has the benefit of being one-piece
and using a more-or-less one action motion to deploy but it
has the negatives of taking up huge amounts [if not all]
of the interior space when in transit, as well as the possible
introduction of water into the interior if closed when wet
or in the rain. Seals for both setup and transit are also
needed but should be easily enough doable though.
Take a look at the following type of expando. It's from an Australian
TTT from the mid-1960s to early-1970s called the Expandavan.
It was built by a series of manufacturers, over time, and was
offered in single-wall plywood, fiberglass, and 'stick' framed
versions, depending on the builder. I think it's an ingenious
design and it is my favorite approach from all of those that
I've come across on the web.
The TTT bodies were about from 5ft3in to 5ft 6ins in width
and about 9ft to 11ft in length while in transit, depending on
which version. The fold-out beds are double-bed in size. Basically,
the expansion's roof was lifted up, all three walls pulled-out/folded-out
as a unit and then supported the roof, and you then went inside to
lower the cable supported bed platforms-with-mattresses. Openable
and closable in the rain without any water getting inside. The interior is
accessible when the expansions are folded up for storage or trasit
as the folded up expansions only take up a small portion of the
interior space at their locations.
Here's a link to the Vintage Caravans website's link on them:
http://vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/2060?page=1 As you see there were various versions of the same basic design.
And here's a pic of an early version from the somewhereelse.com.au
website from about July 2011. It has a rear dinette room expansion
and two bed expansions, one on each side. [Click for larger view.]
Here's a pic of a one-off build contemporary with it, done along
similar lines. But this one's body size is 6ftx8ft, with a rearward
dinette room expansion, and bed expansions on the front and their
curbside. [Click for larger view.]
Both of these have been refurbished by their owners and are still used
by them for camping trips and vintage caravan gatherings.
That would be be my approach if I were to do an expanding TD/TTT,
It could work for either.
Cheers,
Norm/mezmo
If you have a house - you have a hobby.