I want to make a camper I can dissasemble for storage

[danmary]

Sorry, I just couldn't resist!

Sounds like a cool project! But I agree that the bungee cord idea might not work out well.

Something like this would be much better:


Or


The idea that Kenneth suggested about the tarped roof is a +1 from me as well. It would make things so much easier. Interested to see this develop!

Thanks for answering... when I first started thinking about doing this those clamps were what I was thinking of using. Not able to find them close around me I started looking for other ways to do it... bungees and knobs what what I came up with.. but the idea of using bolts and wingnuts sounds good as well... now if you can hear my wallet squeak its partly do to the fact I have little money to put toward this project. I am going to make some drawings to see if can help get my idea across better and get me even more wonderful ideas on how to do this.
Thanks DM

[danmary]

That sounds like an interesting challenge.

I had a look at the Harbour freight folding trailer on their website. I assume there would be a plywood floor (in two pieces) bolted to the frame that would stay attached all the time (in storage, utility use or use as a teardrop). The galley would be a 4' wide box and would be lifted off for storage and all your camping stuff stored in it. Two sides could be built complete with doors that would be set onto the trailer and held in place by the stake pockets. The walls would have to overlap outside the floor to keep water out. The sides would be fastened to the galley box to stiffen up the structure. Maybe a 2' to 2.5' wall at the front too, fastened to the walls to stiffen it up. The Galley box could have a traditional hatch or a tarp, and the rest of the roof would have a tarp snapped into place.

Sounds like a fun project. Hope you get lots of ideas here and keep us posted what develops.

Thanks for answering... I was thinking of extending the width to 5 feet or so... by elevating the floor to just above the mud guards that came with this trailer. As I started thinking about this I was wanting to remove the extended floor.. so I could fold it back up.. 8 bolts and using the stake side post holes was how I was thinking of holding the extended floor down to the existing bed. I was thinking of having something like a 2X2s going around the perimeter that the walls would be held down to with 2X2s butting to the ones on the floor.. that is where I was thinking about bungees but screws might be the better way to go. Every corner would be joined in this way... with the front wall just a bit wider than the side to side width so it will act like a weather break. The roof is one of my stumbling blocks. I was thinking maybe a 2X4 by 8 with a dado cut into it so w 8 foot panels could slide in and again pulled tight... to the 2X4 center support.. and attaching to the walls with the 2X2 connections mentioned already... with a small overhang for the weather... I also was thinking that it could be sloped from the center out... everything I have described it only pictures in my mind so far.. have to do some drawings... also I am not sour what to end of the 'box' will be like.. weather it can rise up like a true teardrop or have a swing out door. I do think a galley will be important.. if for no reason... then I do get hungry from time to time...
Again I thank you for your answer...
DM

[danmary]

Here is a thought.
The galley and front stub wall that fold down over the mattress. With the side walls folding down over the galley and front walls. When set up use cross bars and a truck tarp with snaps for the roof and galley hatch(rolls up).
Problems?
The bottom of the doors would be rather high. (Fun noodle on the edge when open)
Sealing the hinged walls. (Aluminum flashing( wall _/\_ wall) vee-ed in to the seam for low flexing .
Just some thoughts.
Setup
Take down off garage wall.. Fold out side walls out. Fold up galley wall and front wall. Bring the side walls back in over the front and galley wall cleats. Add cross bars. Slid in galley counter and foot shelf. Snap truck tarp on. Load battery and plastic bin that have your camping stuff in. GO CAMPING.

Thanks for your answer... I have been worried about what to do with the roof... solid, or covered with a tarp or just what not really sure at this point. Your suggestions are good and worth thinking about.
Thanks for you input
DM

[danmary]

And Rapido folding caravan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OG9p6FpjH4

I really love this idea.. would be a lot more room than just a 4 or 5 X 8 that is only 4 feet high. If he had plans that didn't cost an arm and a let... I would love to see them.
Thanks again for all your help
DM

[KennethW]

I did see a teardrop that the person used truck tarp cloth with snaps every 5" to hold it nice end tightwhen going down the road. I have a 5 wide with wheel wells thru the floor. I have found that the big bump on the side by my feet is not a problem at. I would rather have the wheel well bump then the bottom of the door digging in to the back of my legs when putting on my shoes.

[drhill]

I just googled teardrop trailer convertible and canvas top and found lots of images including these

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=37992&p=696593

http://www.teardrop-campers.com/

Since you are designing and building it to easily assemble and then dis-assemble for storage, you could build parts of it with some pretty cheap materials and then upgrade later if it all works out the way you want.

[BigGoofyGuy]

Disassembling a camper was what one could do with the Teal Tail Feather camper but it is seems they are not being made.
http://www.tealinternational.com/TailFeather/

[OP827]

And Rapido folding caravan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OG9p6FpjH4

I really love this idea.. would be a lot more room than just a 4 or 5 X 8 that is only 4 feet high. If he had plans that didn't cost an arm and a let... I would love to see them.
Thanks again for all your help
DM

Let me see if I can find Rapido design in patents search as I am thinking that it could be over 20 years old which would mean that anyone can build it. Patent drawings are usually good enough to figure out how it is built. You are welcome!

[OP827]

And Rapido folding caravan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OG9p6FpjH4

I really love this idea.. would be a lot more room than just a 4 or 5 X 8 that is only 4 feet high. If he had plans that didn't cost an arm and a let... I would love to see them.
Thanks again for all your help
DM

Let me see if I can find Rapido design in patents search as I am thinking that it could be over 20 years old which would mean that anyone can build it. Patent drawings are usually good enough to figure out how it is built. You are welcome!

DM, you can also look at the folding caravans historical patent drawings yourself by googling the following search string: folding caravan patent site:google.com and it will bring up all patent drawings that have mentioning of "folding caravan patent".

[OP827]

And Rapido folding caravan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OG9p6FpjH4

I really love this idea.. would be a lot more room than just a 4 or 5 X 8 that is only 4 feet high. If he had plans that didn't cost an arm and a let... I would love to see them.
Thanks again for all your help
DM

Let me see if I can find Rapido design in patents search as I am thinking that it could be over 20 years old which would mean that anyone can build it. Patent drawings are usually good enough to figure out how it is built. You are welcome!

DM, you can also look at the folding caravans historical patent drawings yourself by googling the following search string: folding caravan patent site:google.com and it will bring up all patent drawings that have mentioning of "folding caravan patent".

Could not quickly find the exact Rapido caravan patent from the assembly video link that I mentioned above. I am relatively new to online patent search so I could only scratch the surface there. But I've found other Rapido caravan, which is simpler, so you can get a better idea how they fold - https://www.google.com/patents/EP0206902A1?cl=en . Hope it helps.

[OP827]

DM, please see this vintage plan, for inspiration - http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/foldingbedroom.pdf
I would use XPS foam for panels covered in FG or canvas with wood perimeter frame to save weight and of course have the walls hinged to the folding floor parts.
Unfortunately there are no ready to make plans available for such a trailer you are looking to build. And it would be quite difficult to build without a clear understanding how all the parts would fit together to make a weather proof shell. I would first do a cardboard or foamboard(from dollarstore) scale model to see how it would work. Good luck and let me know how it goes. I'll try to help.
Cheers,
OP

[BigGoofyGuy]

I found a Facebook page for Rapdio Folding Caravan.
https://www.facebook.com/rapidofoldingcaravangroup/


Here is a group for it?
http://forum4.aimoo.com/rapidofoldingcaravan

[danmary]

I did see a teardrop that the person used truck tarp cloth with snaps every 5" to hold it nice end tightwhen going down the road. I have a 5 wide with wheel wells thru the floor. I have found that the big bump on the side by my feet is not a problem at. I would rather have the wheel well bump then the bottom of the door digging in to the back of my legs when putting on my shoes.

Thanks for your input. I have been thinking of a snap roof... that would keep the cost down to start with... Also I was planning of keeping the floor flat.. going over the medal fenders... they are only about 2 to 3 inches taller than the floor that is there now.
Keeping all these great idea in mind.
Thank you DM

[danmary]

DM, please see this vintage plan, for inspiration - http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/foldingbedroom.pdf
I would use XPS foam for panels covered in FG or canvas with wood perimeter frame to save weight and of course have the walls hinged to the folding floor parts.
Unfortunately there are no ready to make plans available for such a trailer you are looking to build. And it would be quite difficult to build without a clear understanding how all the parts would fit together to make a weather proof shell. I would first do a cardboard or foamboard(from dollarstore) scale model to see how it would work. Good luck and let me know how it goes. I'll try to help.
Cheers,
OP

Thanks.. I found the old car the more interesting part of the pdf...LOL. however it does give me a few ideas. there is a foam wall board by Sing core that they say I can order through Lowe's. I went to our local one and they had no idea what I was talking about... even when I showed them the web site and where it said to contact Lowe's to order it. It comes in thicknesses for 1 inch to thicker than that. Very rigid with bracing inside. would really like to see it before I spend the money.
DM

[danmary]

I found a Facebook page for Rapdio Folding Caravan.
https://www.facebook.com/rapidofoldingcaravangroup/


Here is a group for it?
http://forum4.aimoo.com/rapidofoldingcaravan

Love the idea... would be interested in talking to them and finding out what they are made of... how the sides and top join to help keep weather out and many other questions... Thanks for the link.
DM