I GOT IT... I GOT IT.....

[Randy S. Hager]

Hey just had a brain blast! I was going to build the "DREAM CAMPER" that Mike has on one of his design sites in cyber world. That will be build #2. I got the idea of using Andrews "COMPACT II" but instead of the folding roof I'm going to use the top from a conversion van to increase the inside height. Add some windows to bring in some light for the rear galley. Aerodynamic to boot!!!!!!!!!!! Looks like the side windows I'm getting from Alfred will also be just right for this TTT.

[toypusher]

Nice design, but looks like it will be a bit of a challenge.

[Randy S. Hager]

Kerry:
Have you ever been to Homestead AFB in the late 70's early 80's? I seen on several other posts you retired from the Air Force. I was stationed at Homestead from April 78 till Dec 81. Anyway, Kerry the design is a redo that Andrew came up with that is a homebuilt version of a commercial TT. The idea I was conveying was to gain interior room without resorting to the folding roof. There are several salvage yards here in the DFW area that have either the full size or mini conversion vans. For the most part the TT is just a box.

[toypusher]

Never stationed in Forida. I have been TDY a couple of times in the Patrick AFB area.

[MrBuzz]

I like the concept of the Compact TT too...but the folding roof looks like a huge headache to make weatherproof.
It would be nice to figure out how to have the extended roof without so many "inside edges" where water would come in.

[Randy S. Hager]

MrBuzz

That's what I mean by " I GOT IT... I GOT IT". It finally dawned on me how to gain that room without having tha folding roof extention. (Sorry Andrew) I plan on using the extented roof from a conversion van. They are fiberglass and should not be too difficult to graft on the design. I found several on eBay but, they happen to be over 1000 miles from me. Well all is not lost. Several conversion van manufacturers are in the Dallas-Ft Worth area and have rejects that may still be usable. I would also consider the fiberglass extended roofs from ambulances from the early 70's. (3/4 ton regular vans) They are a little taller then the newer extentions.

Randy

[jagular7]

Would you consider a truck topper that would lay flat during transit, then lift up and lock into place when camping. It would be sort of similar to John Sheppard's Winter Warrior and Ray Villan's Winter Warrior but the topper would hinge up front.

[Randy S. Hager]

I really don't like the way it has a narrow floor so it can fit in a pickup bed. Not any different even if put on a trailer. This design will be widened to 6ft and with the van top it will have head room too without a folding roof. Since this is a large box, construction should be fairly straight forward. The only real discision to make for me is the axle. Spring or torsion. (I really don't think it's much of a descision)

[Laredo]

Well, I like the basic idea but that floor plan has me scratching my head.
Does the main exit/entry really go through the shower??

[Randy S. Hager]

In Andrews site the shower pan is hidden under a panel. The shower head would be in the potty area and would be used once the panel was taken out of the way and the potty door opened to close off the shower area.

Read about it here
http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear48.htm

I'm going to give it a shot. I know that it seems like more work that would be worth it but using a fiberglass conversion van top seems to me like it would provide a ready made roof without the sealing issues of the popup or folding tops would.

[Randy S. Hager]

After thinking about this and having Andrews advise about “NOT DOING IT" I think he's right that it would be very difficult to graft the van raised roof onto this design. I have not given up on the fixed roof though!!!!!!!! I'll just have to build it from a sandwich construction of blue Styrofoam and fiberglass. This is very light and surprisingly strong. This kind of construction flew around the world non-stop and un-refueled. After the first of the year I'll get the foundation for this trailer started.