Dinoot Campers

[schaney]

Thanks for the input and tester offer ...

[Oldragbaggers]

I love them all. I wish you great success with this. (Where were they when I was looking......?)

[schaney]

Thanks Becky! Sorry I'm late to the game on a micro TT design, I've been previously focused on Tent Topped Camping Trailer designs

[schaney]

Here is a another sloped front version with some possible ways to outfit it.

[schaney]

In the world of Tent Topped camp trailers an advantage is just pulling your tent open for going to bed without any unpacking being necessary. In working on a Dinoot Camper design, I’m interested in knowing what people think about being able to just jump in bed or need to unpack first?

For just jumping in bed, I’m assuming this would mean having an elevated sleeping platform with storage underneath compared to sleeping on the floor like traditionally in a Teardrop trailer.

A related question, is a 48” wide sleeping area sufficient? With the current Dinoot inner fender design, there would be 48” between the fender wells for sleeping on the floor. With an elevated platform, the sleeping area would be ~56” wide.

What do people think?

[mezmo]

The sloped front looks, sharp, but probably isn't really
needed for "aero" purposes, as the tug has already 'parted'
the air - for highway speeds anyway. Off-road it wouldn't
mattern at the more usual slow speeds. All of your proposed
designs, so far, have been really pleasing in looks.

The Australian off-road approach has always made sense to me -
the 'camper' is sized to the tug's width and length as max
dimensions. Their reasoning being: That if the tug can get
through, then the camper will be able to get through also.
So if that is the case, and it makes sense to me, then use the
dimensions to your advantage.

So, I'd go for the wider bed with exterior accessible storage under
[if possible.]. That'd seem to be the more useful set-up. I'll also add,
that some kind of integrated and/or easily used step-up into the
TD/bed-area would really be beneficial and would probably be a distinctive
feature that you could use as a selling point. I've often seen good designs
for products that could be transformed into great designs if only the designers
had added one more small detail or feature to them, and usually that added
feature or detail impacts the usability of the design.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[schaney]

Norm, thanks for the input. The sloped front style is more focused on aesthetics, although depending on tow vehicle, if it pops above the roof line, the slope will help. Glad to hear there hasn't been any "turds" yet from a looks perceptive

Yes the Aussie's have some good ideas. I personal like having a bigger, comfortable bed.

Not sure I'm following you on the step-up? I'm assuming the rise of an elevated platform would be ~12". Are you referring to an exterior step?

[mezmo]

Hey Scott,

I'm with you in thinking a good sized comfortable bed
is a necessary thing after a day out in the fresh air, most
probably exerting yourself much more than usual.

As far as the step-ups go, maybe it's just a personal
idiosyncracy of mine, but I think an exterior mounted step - fixed
or swivel up for travel clearance for a side mount, or maybe one
rear mounted and attached to a step-depth rear bumper-step,
would be a good idea both for practical use and convenience, but
I also think it would be an additional feature that'd set your kits
apart and show that you are thinking beyond the usual [as if the
kits themselves weren't evidence enough already !].

Here's a fast Paint drawing of a couple possible basic designs.
[I'm sure there are many other possible approaches for them.]:
Click on the pic to make larger:



Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[schaney]

For us it is normally kayaking, biking or hiking ...

Yes, on most fronts, you will not find me "following the pack" Thanks for the clarification on the step-up, definitely worth considering.

[schaney]

So far the overall feedback has been an elevated platform.

One advantage of an elevated platform is being able to do a slide-out kitchen like below that goes under the platform.

[mikerueve]

The more room for sleeping, the better. I agree with the others

[schaney]

Thanks Mike ...

[mezmo]

Yes, Do Include a slide-out kitchen ! I'm always
amazed at the great ones the Aussies do on their
off-road campers [And the South Africans too.] It's
one of those things that makes you wonder why ALL
campers don't have them. They make camp life so
much easier and convenient.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[schaney]

Thanks Norm, Yes slide-out style kitchens are nice.

[schaney]

Based on the overwhelming feedback for an elevated sleep platform with storage underneath. That steers the design towards a rear verses side entry approach. Been working on another profile, this one takes styling queues from the Australian Tvan trailer.

What do people think?