Low Wider... Simple

[GPW]

Here’s a drawing that has come up for a simple sleeper type Foamie .. all standard size sheets , Straight cuts ,and not many of those ... and a little bit of rounding ... Just a basic shape to work off.. and fits on my old boat trailer with only a few modifications ... Basically ~ the magic 50 sq. ft. of floor space , so should be roomy enough for most anybody , especially with the bed cross ways in the back ... many possibilities for the inside ... Just a Basic box, easy to make and cover ... Simple !!!

[atahoekid]

Low Wider now that's a cool design for a cool name. The name takes me back to the SoCal days of my youth. Back to the days when I had few worries, no money and being cool and hanging out on Friday nights meant you were cruising Valley Boulevard and Bob's Big Boy with the stereo blastin'.

Like the days back then, this design is simple and uncomplicated. I went low and wide, that's where the comparison ends. I've made every phase of my design too complicated and it's taking forever to get it done. As much as I enjoy the build, I'd really rather be camping. Something else that's simple and uncomplicated.

Thanks for sharing your design thoughts, GPW!! Always inspired. I like the way you think!

[GuitarPhotog]

Doesn't wider mean you will have a seam in the roof?

Or do you have a source for 6ft wide material?

What are you planning to skin the trailer with?

<Chas>

[GPW]

Mel , Thanks !!! As it turns out Simple is better , and quicker too ...
Guitar ... yeah , a seam in the roof ,as our VP is fond of saying, NBFD!! just cut off two sheets at the width you want .. Done ...easy as Pi...(same for the floor too) ... The scraps or drop offs can be used inside ... and I’ve shown some angle braces (foam ) that could be used ... if one wanted not to put “rafters” up, whether wood or PVC ... ‘ Just a canvas covering as per usual ... easy to find a wide piece of canvas for the roof ... Simple , Thrifty ...

[bonnie]

so, are you angleing the roof? I love the idea.

[GPW]

Angling the roof ??? Angling the front (nose) , the rest will be dead flat .. the easiest way , and from the way the present Foamie drains, I’ll just tilt the entire trailer slightly in the rain for top drainage .. And I will not be putting a vent on the top where it’s “supposed” to go ...

[bonnie]

Angling the roof ??? Angling the front (nose) , the rest will be dead flat .. the easiest way , and from the way the present Foamie drains, I’ll just tilt the entire trailer slightly in the rain for top drainage .. And I will not be putting a vent on the top where it’s “supposed” to go ...

So where are you going to put the vent, hmmmmm?

I have a solar vent, I'm trying to decide where to place it.

[GPW]

Like in the vintage trailers , on the side close to the top...

[GPW]

The new trailer makes it now necessary to add another 24” onto the Low wider length ... no problem and even more room ... So that will end up around 60 or so sq. ft. of floor space ... more is Better !!!

I see where a standard bed size is 54” X 75” , so I may have to go wider yet ... giving a whopping 79” width ... if I want to stretch out ..

[atahoekid]

Like you, the dimensions of my trailer were dictated by the size of the bed. "She who must be obeyed" insisted on a queen size bed so I had to go to at least 60" wide, which meant that things no longer fit between the wheels so I had to build on top of the wheel wells (more height) I would have loved to stay lower but it still is pretty low. You and I agree, low and wide!!! Can't wait to see saw dust and pink foam pellets flying from your direction soon

[linuxmanxxx]

What do you think of the stick 1 x 2 framing and cheaper 3/4"foam? Just bonds the foam to frame with gg and use tb2 and brad nailer to shoot the frame together. Most off it can be done by one person. Just flip the boards long side up for the roof and double the foam gg together and cover in canvas. You seal that canvas good and that frame will never rot.

[GPW]

That seems like a Great way of doing it !!! Nothing wrong with that at all !!!! Great thing is everybody seems to have worked out their own method and all seem valid and workable ... Wonderful to see so many successful variations on the theme ...
I love working with the 1X2s we get here , nice rounded edges ,light, a joy to cut and fit, and glue ... But then I’ve been a woodworker a long time and know how to do this ... and have the tools ... ( I make guitars , a trailer is just a box really ... EASY 4 me !!!)
I did all the cuts on my foamie with a handsaw ... that was it ... Grandma could do that (all except my wife who is still restricted to rounded edge scissors ... too much Education ... )


Ps. I’ve been really wanting a brad nailer ...

[linuxmanxxx]

Pssst and foam is much cheaper. Mccoys has lowest 1 x 2 s if you have one around there.

[GPW]

Naa, no McCoys around here ... but some nice lumberyards , much better stuff than the HD or Loews that we do have ... I do have a source of some really Clear Alaskan cedar that’s very Nice , not expensive ... very light ... pretty ..
Working on a deal to get the foam wholesale ... that should help a little ...

[linuxmanxxx]

All the cedar around here is very rough and would need to be planed which I have no access to. Yeah the sticks at lowes are horrendous almost right angles or twisted around.