Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby Paintsalot » Tue Jan 24, 2023 4:02 pm

I called Stirling trailer about the Tractor Supply 5x8 galvalume one. They answer the phone, yay! Something to be said for that!

They said the center of axle is 42.8 inches from rear of trailer, which is 96.5 inches long. That means the weight split is 45/55 percent back to front over the rectangular chassis part, not including the triangular extension to car.
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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby QueticoBill » Tue Jan 24, 2023 7:33 pm

that one you linked is 10' long. It is very nice.
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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby Paintsalot » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:51 am

QueticoBill wrote:that one you linked is 10' long. It is very nice.

Which link- I must have missed it?
I thought it was 8ft.
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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby Gold5one » Thu Feb 02, 2023 11:06 am

I’m looking at a fold down vardo project- so I can store in in my garage.
I just missed a used 5x8 NT trailer on Craigslist-
This would be my 3rd trailer project in 8 years.
From what I read, the reported unloaded weight is 690 lbs, which sounds perfect for smaller tow vehicles.
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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby Paintsalot » Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:14 pm

Gold5one wrote:I’m looking at a fold down vardo project- so I can store in in my garage.
I just missed a used 5x8 NT trailer on Craigslist-
This would be my 3rd trailer project in 8 years.
From what I read, the reported unloaded weight is 690 lbs, which sounds perfect for smaller tow vehicles.
What will the design look like?


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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby friz » Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:38 pm

Something to consider. A bolt together trailer kit is not going to bring any torsional rigidity to your project. Your folding vardo is also a compromised box and may not be rigid in torsion either.

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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby Paintsalot » Sun Feb 05, 2023 8:05 pm

friz wrote:Something to consider. A bolt together trailer kit is not going to bring any torsional rigidity to your project. Your folding vardo is also a compromised box and may not be rigid in torsion either.

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Thanks for feedback Friz. The lower walls would be about 24 to 30 inches tall. I think I could probably get enough stability there. The only weak spot will be the back door. It breaks the box. I may use a tall sill- maybe a 2x6 going across or even taller.
It’s good to think about -I don’t want it racking.

The inside would have benches. The bench supports could add strength.
The part that folds up only has to withstand normal wind forces at a campground.
I don’t know what to do about trailer. Adding a plywood floor or torsion box sandwich should help?

An alternative is a short vardo- like this https://youtu.be/9j4zcRS4OqQ


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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby pchast » Sun Feb 05, 2023 10:41 pm

over-center latches on the door in transport
should hold the box together.
:thinking:
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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby Pmullen503 » Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:24 am

I wouldn't be too worried about flex. Wooden boats spend their whole lives flexing.

The only think to keep in mind is that you want the flexing to occur over a broad area, not concentrate at the joints. That's easy with an open box.

What might take a little thought it how you lock down your roof for towing. If you are going to have some movement in the box and a very rigid hold down system, all the stresses concentrate there and the hold down could fail. So ropes, straps or those rubber or spring loaded hold downs clasps would work.
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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby Paintsalot » Mon Feb 06, 2023 2:48 pm

pchast wrote:over-center latches on the door in transport
should hold the box together.
:thinking:
Cool. I was sketching the same thing in my sketchbook… Opposite the hinges, I can just have some latches.


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Re: Trailer options for folding Vardo camper

Postby Paintsalot » Mon Feb 06, 2023 2:52 pm

Pmullen503 wrote:I wouldn't be too worried about flex. Wooden boats spend their whole lives flexing.

The only think to keep in mind is that you want the flexing to occur over a broad area, not concentrate at the joints. That's easy with an open box.

What might take a little thought it how you lock down your roof for towing. If you are going to have some movement in the box and a very rigid hold down system, all the stresses concentrate there and the hold down could fail. So ropes, straps or those rubber or spring loaded hold downs clasps would work.
I have a sailboat with a custom fitted canvas over it, it’s on a trailer- and once there was a high wind storm that came through, and it blew over my sailboat and trailer. The only thing that held the boat on the trailer was the canvas cover, which had multiple attachment points. I was amazed that the canvas was able to hold the sailboat on… But maybe it’s your same concept of spreading out the attachment points.


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