5x8 Teardrop with Kids Bunk--no galley

[aaronbev79]

Hello--this is my first post, but I have been reading the boards for years.

I plan to build a 5x8 tear with rear door, A/C, and a bunk area for my 7 year old and 5 year old.

I plan to copy the basic design of the signatour, but without the large side windows since I'll need to support the bunk area.

I am a teacher and will be finished teaching at the end of April--so I plan to get this whole build finished in May.




Here's a basic drawing of my design:


Any thoughts, advice, ideas would be VERY appreciated. This is my first build, but I am pretty handy and have built many other things before. Thanks!

[KCStudly]

Welcome to the interactive part of the forums!

Sounds like you have thought about what you want and have a plan.

Since you asked, there are a couple of things that come to mind. The first is are you sure you want just one door for 3 or 4 people? ...and will you be comfortable slithering into bed by climbing over your pillows?

For me I just can't envision crawling around to get into bed, so carefully placed side doors were a priority. I would consider a rear entry for a slouchy or standy, but not a TD (my $.02 and my preference, just saying).

That's something where a cardboard mock-up, or even just experimenting with cushions and furniture (to set some boundaries) in your living room can help you do a mockup and confirm that you are comfortable crawling in and out that way.

The other thing that jumps out is the AC location. Any vents or returns will need to be at least above the bedding, and maybe higher; preferably not blowing directly on the person there. In the current location you will need to allow for the mattress pad, blanket(s), etc.

Regardless, the point is to have fun and build what you want for your needs, so make sure to have fun first!

[daveesl77]

When my daughter saw my design, she immediately said that it could easily sleep 4, if 2 were under teens and she is right. She has 2 step children under 10 and I think she has figured out they want my camper for summer fun if I'm not using it.

Mine is a 5'4" wide x 5' tall x 10' long at the curve ends. My galley will be under my bed, which gives me almost 3 x5 feet of open floor space. One kidlet on a pull down bunk and another on the floor, mom/dad on queen sized bed. 2 doors. You could build something like mine using traditional methods (not crazy like I'm doing) pretty quickly or even with foam and fairly inexpensively too.

I would definitely reconsider a single rear door with 4 people in a 5x8. I agree completely with KC on the AC location. You might want to look at what the folks are doing with the ducting of a small window unit instead of permanent wall mount. I'm following their lead on that, it makes tons of sense and not difficult to make.

On mine, ignore the cedar - I'm old, retired and bored. From the rear door opening to the front is all open space. The chair is sitting in open floor space and there is enough height for me to sit upright with a little bit of headroom - I'm a tad over 6' tall.



Here is an example of how the folks are doing the AC install. This is Shadow Catcher's version and I am happily stealing his idea...



dave

[aaronbev79]

You definitely have me reconsidering the rear door. The main reason I wanted to go with a rear door is: (1) Since I am making my own door, I would only have to build one door instead of two. (2) Since the area around the doors requires extra framing and since doors generally weigh more than naked wall-space of the same size, it decreases weight for a light-weight design to only have one door. But you may have convinced me with the thought of my children climbing in and out on top of where my pillows/head will be.

Also, if I use side doors, then I can install the air conditioner in the rear wall of the vehicle--similar to the trailer pictured below. Since I live in Florida, there is no question as to whether or not I'll be installing a permanently fixed air conditioner--this is a must. The only questions are where I install it and what design is best.

[KCStudly]

You will be much happier with this arrangement, I bet.

If you can build one door, the second one shouldn't be any trouble, and the minor increase in time, weight and cost will be long forgotten when the convenience proves itself out.

[aaronbev79]

Here's my new design--what do you think?

[KCStudly]

Have you seen the Compact Family Camper Build? It has what you are looking for, bunk for two kids and AC. It also has side doors in the regular location for easy ingress/egress for the adults and no problem with fender clearance at the doors.

For best fit you should be able to sit down in the doorway, lean back and roll your knees in to "sit and spin" into your sleeping position. With the rear set door in your second sketch you would still have to crawl in and turn around to get into bed, and it looks like an awkward fit between the door and fender.

Ryuandwings' build in the link above would be a hard act to follow, he did a really nice job, but it has a great efficient arrangement so I encourage you to take a closer look at it, if you haven't already.

No pressure, just trying to share what I have seen work for others and what people have said were problems for them in the past.

[aaronbev79]

Thanks for sharing the link to that camper--that was a VERY nicely built camper!

I think a lot of his design decisions were determined by a traditional shape that includes a rear galley. I don't want to go with a traditional shape because I want a much larger bunk for my kids because of no galley--giving them room to grow for a couple years. We already do a lot of camping, and have lots of gear for cooking on picnik tables. We are fine with this setup--we mainly want a comfortable area for sleeping/relaxing with airconditioning.

In my design we will sleep with heads toward the rear, so I think getting in and out should be the same as with that family camper build. They sleep with heads toward the front, and their doors are toward the front. We will sleep with heads toward the rear, and the doors will be toward the rear. I probably won't have my doors as far back as they look in that picture I drew, and I don't think I'll have any issues with door placement as far as fenders are concerned because I'm going to keep my wheels under the trailer.

Another reason for my design shape is having a far easier shape for building. I only have one curved surface--the rest will basically be a box with doors and a mattress. Other than carefully installing my A/C unit, I'm hoping this will greatly simplify my build.

Thanks for all the advice--you've given me a lot to think about! I'm still not convinced that this will be my final plans for the build.

Here's an example of how I'm thinking about doing my modified HF trailer underneath the camper:
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f77/my-smart-my-teardrop-trailer-38143/

[KCStudly]

Yeah, I'm building a boxier profile for more internal space, too. I was looking more at the arrangement and less at the profile and details.

It's harder to give advice to new posters because it is hard to tell what has already been digested and/or considered. Just offering a different perspective.

[aaronbev79]

Thanks for the advice! You've given me a lot to think about and I VERY MUCH appreciate it! I'm still not sure what I'll end up doing.

A lot will be decided after I put the platform on the trailer and lay on the deck. I'll be able to sit on the trailer and see what it will feel like to get in and out within certain spaces.

[ryuandwings]

Since my trailer was mentioned, I'll chime in.

My trailer was designed and built for my family of 4 which is 2 adults and 2 kids 5 and 2 years old.
The concept was, I wanted a bedroom for 4 and also use it as a living space when outside condition is not ideal. I wanted a space big enough for 4 of us to sit, eat, watch TV, etc.
Because of this I decided to make my bunk retractable so I can store it away to expand the living space.

This concept prove to be a very valuable on our maiden voyage since it was pouring down rain when we arrived at the camp site and could not set up the shelter. We cooked under the galley hatch and eat and spent whole evening and night in the cabin.

I agree with you about the permanent AC. I'm in Tennessee so if I want to do any camping during summer time, I must have an AC.

Above are some design decisions I had to make during my design. I know you have your own concept and ideas, but let me put in my 2 cents about the design you are brewing so far.

I would really look at the weight balance of your trailer if you are not going to have a galley. Looking at you sketch, it seems very tongue heavy when fully loaded. Also the way your AC is mounted, make sure to beef up the frame for it. 40lbs of weight cantilevered off the axle could put a lot of stress on the trailer frame and the walls.
Also, make sure to at lease have a concept of your electrical system figured out. That could add more weight especially if you are going to have a battery. Also it takes up more space than you think.
I threw a lot of stuff at you, but I don't mean to scare you. I just wanted to share some of my setbacks so that you don't have to go through the same things.

[KCStudly]

Plus 1 on the electrical. That is one area where I wished I done a little better planning. Those wires add up quickly and I should have made some of my chases larger for easier routing. Still not sure exactly how it is all going to come together in the TB, but I'll make it work somehow.

[Socal Tom]

Here's my new design--what do you think?

Most likely you will want the door in front of the rear wheel. There usually isn't space behind the rear wheel for a door on a 5x8.
Tom

[aaronbev79]

Great stuff everyone--thanks!

(1) The problem of weight distribution definitely has me rethinking my design entirely--that's a great point! I don't want it to be tongue heavy.

(2) I have actually thought about wiring a little bit, but nothing beyond thinking about light placement and outlets for power.

(3) I will redraw the design with doors in the front and storage/airconditioning in the rear. I'll repost a new design picture when I get home from work later tonight.

[aaronbev79]

I'll probably just go with this design, but without the large side windows since I'll need to support the bunk area. This will allow me to place AC and storage in the rear--hopefully balancing the trailer a bit better.

One Idea I had was making the bunk so it could fold down--basically turning it into a cushioned back-rest for sitting. For example, if it's raining, we could fold the bunk down and play board games with our kids.