Front bench / bed? Has anyone tried it?

[GarArnett]

OK, I've been here lurking for a while and am planning the conversion of my 6x10 Homesteader CT. I have noticed that most do a galley kitchen across the front of their (non-v-nose) trailers and do the bed/couch in the back. While I am very interested in the e-track bed set-up and the fold down bed set-up (with the front galley), I was wondering if anyone had done a front bench / bed with the galley kitchen along the driver's side of the trailer.

I was just thinking this might be an easier and more useful set-up when using the rear loading for my Harley.

Secondarily, what size roof vent are most using?

Thanks in advance.

Gar

[Wolfscout]

I've looked at and read on many camper/trailers. I think it's more a matter of functionality that most have done the bed/couch in rear. I think it may have a bit to do with weight distribution. Construction of bed and whatever mattress material compared to what most tie up in "galley/kitchen" items isn't really comparable. I could just make do with a sterno can and a coffee pot if it was just me alone. Just my thoughts.

[B@tt]

for me it was all about weight distribution. the construction of a bed frame (actuall queen size bed in my trailer) was quite heavy and tongue weight was the main reason for my bed placement over and rear of the axl. Further there is not alot of space up front of the entry door. As I have it laid out now, I can have the bed down and still have plenty of room to enter and move around in the trailer.

[pete42]

I never thought about a front bed since the V nose is what I want and that part would hold all the cabinets and most of the other stuff
leaving the rest of the cargo trailer for chairs beds and room to carry my mobility scooter.
but just since most don't build the bed there and yours being a flat nose one go for it.
just let us know what you do so we may copy.
pete

[Gadget Man]

I would probably say weight distribution is the main reason most builders put the kitchen or counter tops in the front of the trailer, especially for the guys building a toy hauler camper trailer.

With my Adventure Trailer build, I'm not overly concerned with some of the front weight because once it's all finished, I will weight the entire trailer empty and again with my 800 pound Road Star inside and then figure out how far back the bike needs to ride in the trailer to balance out the tongue weight.

Gadget Man

[dog812]

I would say the main reason is that it is alot easier to fold up a bed out of the way to load your harley...
Most of the conversions i see have fridges, furnaces, and sinks etc...
would be alot harder to move out of the way to load your harley then a mattress, some wood, and some blankets.

[GarArnett]

I would say the main reason is that it is alot easier to fold up a bed out of the way to load your harley...
Most of the conversions i see have fridges, furnaces, and sinks etc...
would be alot harder to move out of the way to load your harley then a mattress, some wood, and some blankets.

My thinking is that a 2' wide galley leaves 4' for the Harley, which is enough space to fit it. Then with the couch bed in the couch position, there is nothing to do to load the bike or be ready after unloading. So, are the appliances used in the galley deeper than 24"? Specifically the fridge most are using.

[pete42]

Most cargo trailer builders use the small dorm refrigerators from lowes or home depot.
but the refrigerator can be down one side or the other.

Someone installed cabinets and a counter across the V but he made a flip up portion
that the front wheel would fit into when he wanted to haul his Bike memory fails me as to who it was.

4' doesn't sound very long for a bike unless it is a small one, but you know what you have not I.

good luck with build.

Pete

[b.bodemer]

My fridge is taller but only 19" deep.

Scrool down on my blog page to see a pic of the fridge. From that angle it looks huge but it is really 19"w x 19"deep and 50" tall.

http://cttraveltrailer.blogspot.com/201 ... -trip.html
Barb

[vtx1029]

Yep we had them across the front of our old trailer. Now we have a bunk bed on the street side of our new rig

[url]http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=673652&highlight=#673652
[/url]

Here's where we are going for with our new trailer. No current pictures right now.

[GarArnett]

4' doesn't sound very long for a bike unless it is a small one, but you know what you have not I.

good luck with build.

Pete

Looking at 4' wide, not long. If the galley on the side sticks out 2' in a 6' trailer, I would have 4' left for the bike in width, which is enough.

[elmo_4_vt]

For what it's worth, that's what I'm doing in my future 6x10. My reason for doing this are:

- Wanted a pull out kitchen, and the only way I could do that and load a bike was to have it slide out in the very front. I'm getting a 2'x2' door put in the front curb side. Kitchen slide will be as large as possible with a stove, sink, and drawers. See pic 1 below.
- Wanted to be able to have a second bed behind the trailer either by one of those SUV tents, or by bracing the ramp door horizontal and making a tent covered extension. The bed up front will leave standing room between the two sleeping areas. See pic 2 below.

Same reasoning as you, inside of a 6 wide is about 5'-6". Having a 18" to 24" cabinets will leaves plenty of room. In the front the bed will be up against the wall when in transit.

The main bad part about putting the bed in front, is that you'll have to enter the trailer from behind the bed/axle, or not use a side door. On a 6x10, it's challenging to find a builder that will move the axle forward so that you can fit a door behind the axle. It will definitely be new and custom made, meaning more $. Weight wise, I'll be fine with the whole kitchen up front, but most builders won't trust you not to screw up and sue them. Alternatively, buy a used one, move the axle yourself, and then just install the door behind the axle afterwards.

Luckily, I found someone that is willing to move the axle during construction, so that's the way I'm taking.

Pic 1 (not the best pic or example)


Pic 2