Tiny Trailer Build

[NevadaBlue]

I hope to build a tiny trailer. Don’t laugh please, this is a low budget project and I’m old and SLOW.
So far, I found a boat trailer for 50 bucks (and it came with a workable Hobie Cat 16!) and my neighbor just gave me a fiberglass topper. I want this thing to be light enough to pull behind my Kubota RTV, yet capable of road travel too.
So far, it looks like this. I want it to be tall enough to allow me to sit up on my cot that will be my bed in this. Looks like the size will be 6’ wide by 8’ long and 80” high or so. (80” tall overall of course, that is how high the roof of the RTV is)

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I am visualizing a divider between those slanted rear windows, creating the kitchen area under the lift hatch. I also found a suitable door, that I think may be from a 20 something REO. This will be unique to say the least. If anyone here can identify the doors for sure, let me know.

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I just got the camper shell this morning so design is very much in flux. At this point, it looks like the door will work in that location. The rear half of the left side window can be moved back (black line on side of shell) and the door opening cut. The top of the door opening can be the top of the existing window opening.
I think that a 32” tall ‘box’ will be built to set the topper on. The supports for the Hobie Cat pontoons look like they can become the floor supports for the box. I just checked and a 3” tall spacer at each corner will allow me to add the 3/4” floor deck and have it be supported by those struts. I’ll trim the excess of course.

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Having fun!

[Bill n Robi]

Looks good, might give a thought to lining the shell for cold desert nights, but a good sleeping bag and a dog works too.

[edgeau]

No laughing. I love seeing people use what they have to create something by unique.
Just a thought from experience, if you are planning two people in the bed then two doors makes for a much happier trip

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[swoody126]

hey Pard, you'll have better interaction for this project here than on that other forum ;-)

sw

[NevadaBlue]

hey Pard, you'll have better interaction for this project here than on that other forum ;-)

sw

[Job]

Nevada Blue I just finished a build similar to yours. I used a Harber Freight frame, a 50 year old pickup cap, and built 42" high sidewalls so I could stand. The trailer is 6" tall inside and 6 'x8'. Ill see if I can attach a couple of pictures. Best luck on your build. Jeff Billingsley

[NevadaBlue]

Thanks Jeff!
I did a mockup of sorts today. I propped the shell up on sawhorses, 32” above the ground and removed the tralier. Then I slid a sheet of plywood in and put up a cot. Crawled in and was amazed. This is a mansion! Now I have even more ideas for this. It has to be light weight, but I am not worried about that.
Having fun...

[NevadaBlue]

Much thought and study today.

They say ‘home is where you hang your hat’.

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I was out there measuring and scheming for the galley and cabinets and hung up my hat. I like hats.

I also figured out how to use my ‘free on the curb’ Coleman rolling cooler. It will be accessible from the galley at the back or from inside the living area by opening a door. Apple juice is sometimes needed at night too.

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I think the divider between the galley and the living area will be at least partly made of sliding plexiglass panels. Losing that big picture window would be sad. But, I do want to keep the cooking area (and possible dust from back there) separate from the bedroom.

There will be room for a nice cabinet in the front area too. Both front and rear dividers can hold drop leaf tables. I may just hit the road...

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That plywood panel is way too large for the cabinet, I was just trying to get a feel for the layout. The post driver is ballast.

[NevadaBlue]

I also decided to move the door back some, making it more centered in the living area and also easier to work into the design.

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[swoody126]

doors go curbside for safety

sw

[NevadaBlue]

doors go curbside for safety

sw

Thanks, but this is for me, and the door is on the driver’s side. I won’t be accessing the trailer except somewhere off road.

Besides, there are LOTS of trailers with doors on both sides.

[tony.latham]

Thanks, but this is for me, and the door is on the driver’s side.

Makes sense for me.

This teardrop I'm finishing up was designed on the computer with Sketchup. But I have to say, I really like the way you are doing yours.



Tony

[GTS225]

Watch that door placement. Don't want to have a conflict between it and the fender.

Roger

[NevadaBlue]

Thanks guys. I will look at the fender/door relationship the next time I crawl in there.

How about this color scheme? (Still not sure what color to paint the topper, but I was inspired by a crusty, rusty teardrop... The rusty siding is steel, but I have aluminum and my wife is a magician with faux finishes.

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[NevadaBlue]

Watch that door placement. Don't want to have a conflict between it and the fender.

Roger

Thanks again for the heads up on the door placement Roger. I had missed it and hope to start building the walls soon. The axle can be moved back easily. Now I need to decide whether to do that or move the door forward. Sitting inside of the mockup, I really like the door farther back. So... weight and balance study will happen. Since the galley will be heavy... but there will be a tongue box... gotta study this.

I just checked and the RTV can handle 110 pounds of tongue weight. I don’t want it that heavy, so the battery may have to go in the back along with any extra water and such.