Hello from Texas

[grassgd]

I'm so glad to have found this forum to see other's ideas and trailers.

Currently in the design phase of my travel trailer, although not a tear drop, I want it to be as small as possible but still provide comfortable accommodations for two adults including a nice dry shower. All aluminum v-nose with high clearance for mild off road or unimproved road travel. Other key design features are no roof penetrations, fresh and gray water tanks installed inside trailer and sub-floor for all wiring and plumbing installation under removable floor panels.

Looking forward to exploring this forum and sharing my design for others to provide suggestions and comments soon.

[coyote]

Get to makin' saw dust! There are lots if of TNTT's in Texas, another one only makes it more fun! Take lots of images. Coyote

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi Grassgd,
Welcome to the site and good luck on your build ...

Like you, I went with a Cargo Conversion. I worked with the manufacturer to get many structural changes in from the ground up. If you can, it can save a lot of work and often cost in making structural changes as the base trailer is being built ... You are talking about a sub-floor for electrical and plumbing; this major change could be added at the time of build much easier than later on. In addition, I would like to suggest making a list of what you think you want/need and those things that may come up, i.e., a wish list. For example, a roof vent/s is awful nice to get ventilation on a stuffy night (I put two in a 10' box trailer) and if not wanted right now, adding the necessary framework for it/them would be negligible and make adding vents much easier later, AND running wiring to those possible add-on's can also make adding/changing later on almost a snap ... Once walls are up and insulation in, these mods become a bit more complicated ...


I apologize for getting into a lecture, my old teaching habits keep sneaking in ... Good luck and keep us posted on your build ...

[aggie79]

Welcome from a TD Texan and hopeful CTC Texan. I will be following your build closely.

[grassgd]

Great to be here among fellow trailer designers/builders. There's so much information here and being able to look pictures of other designs is a GREAT help by being able to see real life designs not just on paper. I just posted my current thinking on my design in the "Sketch up design". Looking forward to hearing experienced comments.

AZ_Desert_Rat - Thanks for your suggestions to explore what the manufacturer can do and advice on vents. I am currently thinking on a good cook top vent hood to function as an exhaust/vent for the trailer when not on AC. I am hoping to avoid any roof penetrations if I can. I agree with your comment about once the walls and insulation is up, the build gets much more complicated. That's why I was trying to design all or most of the electrical and plumbing in a sub floor that can be accessed after build is finished to make repairs and any modifications without ripping out cabinets and walls.

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi Grassgd,
I have had campers and trailers and never had a problem with roof vents (the forward one, in my CTC, doubles as range vent when cooking inside), but I have always ensured that they were properly framed. However, I understand and respect one's own design plans, and always hope to learn new things. I never got around to installing a permanent floor covering and am starting to explore ideas on this as well. Your double floor idea sounds interesting and I think many of us wished we had planned in an avenue for changes in our original build ...


Hey, BTW, you mentioned a range hood; all range hoods are not created equal! The one on my FunFinder hardly works at all, the vent flap must be unlocked and locked (for travel) from the outside (making it cumbersome to use), the fan is quite noisy, and one must nearly light a match to see if the light is on ...


I am looking to upgrade it to a SAM-1; they seem to be quite pricey and haven't quite made up my mind yet. I am one of those campers that really like having an inside galley and a range hood with fan and light is almost a necessity! Just a thought for you as you plan your build ... I believe that Sam-1 is a product of Fabulous Operating Products ...
http://www.fabulousoperatingproducts.com/


Good luck and you can call me John or JC, if you like...