Great Restored Drop-Out-Floor TD From Australia

[mezmo]

I saw this Aussie TD a couple years ago, or so, when it was
"rescued". I think it was a great design with a funky 1950s profile.

I just now came across this again, and it has been beautifully
restored by its "Vintage Caravan" enthusiast owner. It was
evidently a one-off custom/homebuilt originally. They like to
name their vintage caravans over there, so now this one is
called "Minnie".

http://vintagecaravans.proboards.com/in ... hread=9601

Another approach to TD design to consider. I would think it
wouldn't be too difficult to figure out an enclosure for the
'drop-out-floor if desired.

Enjoy !

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[M C Toyer]

Another approach to TD design to consider. I would think it
wouldn't be too difficult to figure out an enclosure for thedrop-out-floor if desired.

When I was shopping for trailers I cam across a couple of boat trailers that had been specially made or modified for an inboard or v-drive system.



Since I was planning a rear entry I was thinking of a lower drop floor for 3 or 4 feet from the rear to make an easier entry through the door heightwise.

The pop-up trailer I have would also lend it self to a similar mod - the bumper extends about 12 inches to the rear on two arms. I could have cut about 1 foot the center section of the bumper then turn the remainder in to the rear crossmember then cut a similar section from the rear cross member.

Instead I bought a boat trailer where all the crossmembers angled downward to the center and made then entire floor drop.



M C

[mezmo]

Hi M C,

I've book-marked your build journal so I can follow along on your
progress. I like the wide "V" bottom of boat trailers for just
the purpose you're using it for. That faux metal log siding is
quite novel and should work splendidly for your purpose.

I also like the Murphy bed you have planned. Where did you
get the inspiration for it ? I first saw one like that in this thread:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26930

And this associated blog:

http://littlegemrenovate.blogspot.com/

The whole blog is interesting. Pics regarding the Murphy bed are
on these posting dates:
12-19-10
11-08-10
10-16-10
10-09-10
11-21-08

I find beds made out of dinette/gaucho cushion sections to be annoying.
I don't like the seams the temporary cushion "joining" makes under you and
invariably they'll separate, especially if they are in a longitudinal
orientation [Voice of experience on that.] . The Murphy bed is a perfect solution for
having a Real bed all ready for use and not requiring the perpetual make-up
and take-down of the 'usual solution'.

Forum member emiller has a restored tandem Covered Wagon with a rear drop floor that
has canvas side enclosures for it in the down position. Here's a link to his thread on it:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=41752
http://oldietrailer.shutterfly.com/

There's an old New Zealand caravan brand that had it too:



A few years ago I came across a couple pics of a Czech TTT from the
1970s that had its entire walkway floor drop down in a similar fashion, but I can't
locate the pics at the moment. So the idea has been used world-wide it seems.

Good luck on your build, I'll keep watching for your posts on it in your build thread.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[M C Toyer]

Norm -

I too had considered a sloping drop floor at the rear for my pop-up frame and the canvas seems a simple soultion. I was trying to make solid sides work but they would be in the way on the inside when the floor was pulled up to close the rear door plus require a more complicated seal. I can also envision leaving the floor down while parked and having a flip up ramp to cover the bottom of the door when closed and serve as a stoop when open.

You reminded me of another reason not to like the dinette cushions. Back on the day my military housing had all twin beds. You could push two box springs together on one axis then put two mattresses on top perpendicular to the box springs and make a king size bed but invariably someone would slip into the space between.

M C