Looking for input and ideas to build on my single wheel

[Christopher Lang]

So, after lurking here and reading many threads, I'v come to the conclusion that the best thing to do , is ask the collective wisdom what you-all would do.

First, the background. This summer, after a hiatus of too long, I'm going to get to go camping again, and I can't tell you how excited I am about that. I'm going to be traveling every day, and the thought of setting up the tent every day, and packing it up does not interest me at all. I also have this single wheel utility trailer....

So, naturally, I think, POW! I should build a tiny tear drop to sleep in, and stick it on the trailer. A "Bolt-on-able" camper, as I use the trailer for hauling most of the time. I know this isn't ideal, but so few things are! Lifting the "pod" on and off doesn't see too-bad, I could use my carport to do-so.

Now, the real limiting factor here, is the trailer. It's small. It also won't haul more than 500 lbs, which shouldn't be a big deal, as what ever goes on it, has to be tiny.

Here are my ideas, I'd like your opinions, and I'll be there are things I haven't thought of. Like Arlo's Third Possibility!

#1
I'll also have to store the pod too. This has led me to the idea of building a hard-wall "roof-top" type of thing. Like the one pictured on-top of the station wagon here: (I shamelessly stole this from someone's website, I can't remember who's though! Thanks whoever it was.)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd45 ... r/CTP5.jpg

Because the single wheel swings wide, I'd need to cut the length down to 6' 6" or so, I'm short, so that'd be okay.

I could mount this "crosswise" instead too, again, having to cut the length down. I don't think this would be as areodynamic, as it would stick out the sides a little, but I won't be going over 55 mph anyway.

This would be the easiest to store, as I could just lift it up and store in under the joists in the carport.

#2
I could build a tiny teardrop shape on the trailer, again, quite a "shorty", but I could increase the width a bit, say to 5'. That would make it roomier for sure. The bad part of this design though, is that I couldn't open the rear doors on the panel-truck (tow vehicle). I'd have to move the "pod" back on the trailer to give me the 29" or so that I need for the doors.

#3
I could go all out, and build something crazy like the folding propert caravan, only smaller. The "pod" being 5' wide, 5' high when closed, sitting on top of the trailer. I would have to have it open "backwards", away from the hitch. I would have the same trouble with the doors, and couldn't open the caravan without it being hitched up to the truck, unless I put some stabilizers on there, which isn't a bad idea anyway. This would be far more complex to build, but with the added room, it might be worth it?

#4
Some other kind of hinged/folding design, that I haven't thought of!



Now, this summer, I plan on spending about a month living out of this, and I'm sure after that, I'll be using it for a few years more too. Unless I come up with some kind of super-awesome new design right after the first few weeks!

What I'd be interested in, are your thoughts on this. Obviously, the most practical thing to do, would be to use another trailer. But uh, this one I already have, and it looks so cool! Perhaps there are other "roof-top" sorts of folding units that I've never seen.


Thanks for your input. I need to think about this stuff, before I start with the sawing!

[vwbeamer]

I would suggest a tear drop design.....and maybe have a portion in the rear that slides out to allow full length.

Most of your area would be over the trailer, but when stop at night the rear part slides out a couple of feet to allow room for your feet so you can lay down.

[Mark & Andrea Jones]

First question: Do you have a pic of the trailer? Preferably hooked up to the tow vehicle.

We all LUV da pics!

AJ

[Christopher Lang]

Okay, I have some pictures here, I assume I can just attach them from photbucket. I'll try that.

Now, I haven't pounded out the fenders yet. They are a bit crumply.

Also, pay no attention to what's on the trailer right now. I just picked it up a while ago, and haven't even had time to replace the deck with a single sheet of ply. Right now, its got a double layer of rotting/soaked ply, which weighs a ton!

I also haven't tightened the spring, or put in a larger rubber bumper. I don't know if the spring has been over-squashed, or the rubber bumper replaced, or all of the above! I know the owner before me overloaded the trailer, and I'm sure he wan't the first. I'm using two old bumper-clamp hitches. Ahh, the joy of steel bumpers. Also, the hitches are not "tight" in these picture, I just shoved the trailer on the back to show you'll what I'm working with. The wheel is going "backwards" too right now.

You can also see how the doors need room. In fact, the trailer must start, four inches back from the front 2x8 that's on there right now. I'm not sure if that made sense, so I'll say it this way too. The trailer body must be 4" back from where the current "front" is.

Okay, without further ado...

Oh, wait. I've thought of another scenario too. I could just mount the roof top tent thing, on the roof! The whole trouble here, is that I need to have the truck loaded both going (wooden stuff for sale), and coming back (an old motorbike). Does anyone else have any old roof-top ideas? I might as well be overwhelmed with options eh?

Now, some pictures.

[48Rob]

Looks like a cool project!

Rob

[LWW]

Wow. I love your panel. I've seen the one wheel trailer idea before. If I'm not mistaken don't the mount points at the bumper flex up and down. If so why couldn't you make the mounting points use balls with couplers on the trailer corners then you could just fold down a simple stablizer on each corner to support it while you load and unload the panel. You could also do that while camping and then you'd have the use of your vehicle while camping. Larry

Are you a Stovebolt member. Larry

[Christopher Lang]

Yes, I love stovebolt!

[mezmo]

Hi Chris/Christopher Lang

It's nice to see another TD with a 'difference' contemplated and planned
[or in the planning process].

There are a few 'removable' body TD's in the works on the forum as well.

Your singular difference is the single wheel trailer for that.

Since you need it to be light and such, check out Roly Nelson's builds. All
small. light and ingenious:

The Half Nelson on Gage's web site:
Hit the "www" button on the bottom of Roly's posts for that.

In Build Journals
Quarter Nelson:
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... sc&start=0

In Member Designs:
Quarter Nelson:
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=43130

In General Discussion:
RE: Alum cover on Quarter Nelson:
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=48193

Here is an inspired little unit. He was going for a single wheel set up
but it was so light he has no wheel - just attaches it to the hitch receiver.

In General Discussion:
3x3 (wheel-less) TD gets CHP blessing!:
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... sc&start=0

Member Gage had posted some pics of it from member emiller on the
second page of the above link but they are gone.

[NOTE: If you want to save a copy of a pic, save it to a file in your
computer [flash drives work nicely for this] or in your album here on the
forum. Don't save it by linking from a photo service like photobucket etc.
They'll invariably be lost to you if you do that.]

Here they are:





And here are some links that I had bookmarked awhile ago RE: Single
Wheel trailers. They can be reference sources for you or possibly parts
sources if needed.

http://singlewheel.com/
http://www.smarttrailers.com/
http://www.cruiserlift.com/swivelwheel.html
http://www.doublehitch.com/dhbuy.html

'Hope this give you some useful info.

Have fun planning and building and post progress pics too, everyone loves
them.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Christopher Lang]

Oh my, that 3'x3' is too small for me! Pretty amazing though.


Does anyone have any more pictures of folders or roof-top folders? I have seen a number of old canvas roof top tents, but not hard sided ones. Folding stuff is just so darn easy to store, which is always a consideration.

[mezmo]

Hi Chris,

I mentioned Roly's 3x3 for the concept. It or something similar could be a possible
solution for you and sized to suit for your needs.

Here's a fast diagram I did of another similar possibility for consideration:



Happy planning!

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Roly Nelson]

Months ago, I decided to also build a one wheel teardrop trailer. However after building it, I was unable to find a supplier for the single swivel wheel, they wanted to sell me the whole trailer. So, since my one wheel set up wouldn't work, I elected to support the whole thing off of the hitch reciever, and forget about the wheel altogether. This trailer weighs less than 100 lbs and has a tip-out on the street side, and an additional drawer-type slide-out for my feet. This design is relatively simple, and you might consider some sort of tip-out on your one-wheel trailer. Here in Calif, there is no need for break, turn or tail lights on my set up, as long as it doesn't extend any farther than 4 ft from the car tail lights. Plus no license or registration is required either, since it really isn't a "trailer", but a cargo carrier on steroids.

I suggest you shorten your existing single-wheeler down to 4 ft long and design a flip-out TD unit that will slip onto the bed of the trailer. I still have a galley, and a bit of room for kitchen stuff, and perhaps you could do something similar.
Good luck on your build, whatever you decide. Roly, So Calif, goofy designer and builder. What they say is true, "You can't build just one".

[Christopher Lang]

Yes, the folding/sliding sure opens up a world of possibilities. I guess I'd better get out some poster board, and start making little models, to see the possibilities.

As you can tell, I'm still all over the place with ideas!

Here's a neato 1916 slide/folder, mounted on the back of a model T roadster. I like the huge slide out, although the chest of drawers is a bit much! On the other side, is a galley area, with a drop down table. I kind of like how the whole interior is full when folded, Much like Roly's 3'x3'.

[mezmo]

I've always thought that Model-T telescoping camper was ingenious,
since I first saw pics of it on a TV show a good while back. [BTW,
where did you find your pics of it?]

I'm thinking along those lines too with various designs I try for myself.
I call it "dense packing" to get everything situated together so that
there is the least amount of empty space possible [and within reason/
function].

There are a lot of ways to configure such things. A take-off on that old
Model T camper body sounds like a perfect idea for your single wheel
trailer.

I'd go for having the outside member/box to do the sliding as
it should be easier to build if the other sliding/pulling out items are
done on the stationary box/base - and less weight to move with/on
the moving member.

Happy Model making - that really helps with visualization and finding
things that may have been overlooked.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Christopher Lang]

We were talking about it on the MTFCA forum. Model T Ford Club of America.

It's called the telescopic apartment. There are also pictures of it in the May 1916 Popular mechanics. If you do a google search, you can then scroll through the mag and see them.
Here's the thread on MTFCA:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/259005.html

[mezmo]

Thanx for the link Chris!

Nice and interesting.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo