Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **WindyLouWho** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:38 am

Hello- I'm new here and I've really enjoyed reading a lot of the tips on construction. I have a question about camper height that I haven't seen addressed.

How do you determine the maximum height you can build your camper? I would assume it has to do with the width and strength of the frame but is there a formula or something to use? Or are there standard maximum heights for trailer widths?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

WindyLouWho

by **planovet** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:57 am

WindyLouWho wrote:How do you determine the maximum height you can build your camper? I would assume it has to do with the width and strength of the frame but is there a formula or something to use?

Some make it where a 4x8 piece of ply or aluminum will fit without seams (4' high from the frame). Me? I just made it tall enough to have as much interior height as possible and still fit in the garage.

by **bobhenry** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 12:10 pm

To keep the proportions somewhat correct 4x8 5x10 & 6x12 and the width and height should be close.

But then again why be normal I just started a gambrel 5x10 barn shaped trailer that will be 5' 6" tall.

by **madjack** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 2:11 pm

...the height of your garage door or the width of a sheet of plywood...whichever comes first.........................

by **tonyj** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:26 pm

And don't forget those low hanging limbs getting out of the back yard or driveway.

by **mikeschn** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:09 pm

Don't forget wind resistance behind your tow vehicle.

Mike...

by **Jst83** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:31 pm

I sat down against the wall and made a line as to how tall I am sitting them added a couple inches :thinking:

wait that's how I got my door height :oops:

for the camper height i just took a big piece of cardboard and drew a big teardrop shape and said that looks good.

by **Forrest747** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:23 pm

In looking over towing and my Jeep it states do not tow anything larger than a 25 square feet front. so basically i can tow a 5X5 size trailer. it has to do with wind resistance and other factors. my front area will be about 20 square feet. Totally agree with garage diomensions and roof overhangs and such.

Off topic kindof. In the show NCIS the mark hamill character is building a boat in his basement. no sign of a door to get it out. its a big boat.

by **tonyj** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:47 pm

Forrest747 wrote:
Off topic kindof. In the show NCIS the mark hamill character is building a boat in his basement. no sign of a door to get it out. its a big boat.

That is an ongoing thread in the show's story. People keep asking Gibbs how he plans to get it out, and later, how did he get it out. Waiting for the reveal, but I'm sure they aren't answering that question anytime soon. I think he gets it out through the front of the set.

by **Forrest747** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:59 pm

what is cool is that is Mark Hamills tools. he actually does do real wood working. i recall he said he was going to tear down a wall and build a ramp. I am watching the show on DVD and just got through season 3. And dont forget its his third boat and he burned the other two.

Didnt swenson do some of his build in the basement?

by **Trackstriper** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:19 pm

WindyLouWho.

Welcome to the forum!

Question....are you thinking about building a conventional teardrop or a tiny travel trailer that you can stand in? That may be the place to begin. You can get a lot of camper shapes from Andrew's design page:

http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear00.htm

Details and some dimensions are available by clicking on the trailer image, then opening the .pdf drawing file toward the bottom of the page. This may give you some help.

Bruce

by **WindyLouWho** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:17 pm

Thanks everyone for your input. Lots of good info-

WindyLouWho

by **Gerdo** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:58 pm

You can get under most interstate bridges if you stay at or under 13'6".

I needed to be 11' long and 5' wide. I knew I wanted to be able to get it in my garage, 6'9"(this includes the roof vent). I wanted to be able to sit up inside. It also had to look porpotionaly right. Mine is built over the tires so I have storage under the bed. With all of this in mind I came up with my sides being 4'9" high. This gives me a finished height of 6'8".

by **angib** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 5:16 pm

Most travel trailers don't go far beyond height equals width. The exception seems to be fifth-wheel trailers which often have a height of 1.5 widths, but then they've got the higher fifth-wheel as support.

I think a height of 1.25 widths is probably OK but above that you may run into stability (as in overturning, not sway) problems if you need to swerve or in crosswinds.

Andrew

by **PanelDeland** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:55 am

NCIS ,It's not about the boat.It's about the journey.You never see "Gibbs" sailing.

I had a friend in Tx who concieved/built some of the nicest cars/trucks that were sold befor paint and deatil work made them show winners.When I asked why he didn't finish one and show it he replied.I like building cars,that's the part I enjoy.I build what I like and obviously someone else likes my style.My hobby is in the building.

"It's not about the destination,it's about the journey."

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