is there a way?

[noseoil]

Slow, this may sound strange, but is it possible to do it backwards? The problem is that the back of the 'drop is the smallest point in height, just where you need the most material. What if the hinge was at the back lower edge, and the fold-up was closer to the front? The sides could be "nested" inside the box and just slide up into position as the hatch was lifted from the inside. You would still need a curtain at the front edge to seal things up, but does this sound like it might work for you?

[BookSaver]

Slowcowboy, do you mean the way that A frame campers have hard sides that are hinged?

I'm not sure how the curves of the teardrop shape would work out. Seems like at the very least you'd have to be quite accurate matching the curves to avoid leaks, right? And extra ... um ... gaskets?

(Yes, I am being brave and demonstrating my own obvious ignorance of building methods. Feel free to laugh.)

[citylights]

Slow, check out this video for ideas and especially the hatch opening at about 4:40. An idea for your canvas less kampmaster kitchen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XxvfDTaUVAo

[angib]

Making the side panels fold up and down is difficult - they are not very big, so why not go the easy way and just make them removable? If the panels are made from 1/4" ply with light framing, they would weight very little and they could simply be slid into/out of the gap between the hatch and body. The same thing with the rear end. A bit of thought should see them fitting inside the trailer before the hatch is lowered.

[robfisher]

This isn't a campmaster design but it is an interesting folding trailer.

http://www.starling-travel.com/category ... s/page/10/

[angib]

Slow, looking for something else, I came across this, which is almost exactly what you want. By taking a piece of the sidewall up with the hatch, the joint becomes a straight line that the sidewalls can be hinged from.

Neely Hall illustration.gif (210.1 KiB) Viewed 335 times

The plans are by a Neely Hall, but this is all I have.

Neely Hall pop up trailer cover s.jpg (56.36 KiB) Viewed 335 times

[KennethW]

Here is my thought on the hard side. If the side is less then the width of the camper fold the side flat inside the back door panel then fold the back door panel up inside the hatch. One would lift the hatch a little higher then normal drop the back down. pull the side out past the wall then drop the hatch down to the camper walls. all hinged together with the proper over lap.