So I thought I'd share some computer renderings for the design I have worked up. Over the past couple of years my wife and I have thoroughly discussed how we want to use our TT in the future. We plan to do a lot of traveling to see all of the natural wonders in the continental US and possibly Canada and Mexico.
I want something that has a max length under 26' (bumper to hitch) so that we can camp at pretty much any national park without issue. I also want to keep it under 26' to reduce fuel consumption when towing. I also want it to feel as open as possible...which is tough with a small box length and no slides, so compromises have to be made. For us that meant not having the sleeping area separated from the (public) seating area.
To make my wife happy, she wants a decent size bathroom and electric fireplace. In order to have the room to accomodate her wishes (and satisfy my love of vintage trailer design) I have gone with a cab-over type of design (like a vintage Shasta Astrodome TT). This actually allowed me to design a king size upper bunk and a U-shaped dinette that converts to a full size queen. I think it can very comfortably sleep four adults and two small kids.
The small "L" off of the upper bunk measures 66"x32", so it it would work for younger (grand) children.
Lots of storage in the bathroom! The area under the storage is where the water heater will be and also exterior accessed storage.
Kitchen counter measures 96"!
Two large wardrobes or one could be used as a pantry. 10 cu.ft. 12v refridgerator. Above the fridge is the breaker/load center.
Electric fireplace for the wife! The top lifts and has storage for the dinette table and the pedestal legs.
Configured for seating with the table and legs stored away.
Configured for dining with the ladder to access the upper king bunk. There is 25" from the top of the mattress to the ceiling, so it should feel pretty open.
Dinette converted to a full size queen bunk (60"x80")
Exterior view
I want something that has a max length under 26' (bumper to hitch) so that we can camp at pretty much any national park without issue. I also want to keep it under 26' to reduce fuel consumption when towing. I also want it to feel as open as possible...which is tough with a small box length and no slides, so compromises have to be made. For us that meant not having the sleeping area separated from the (public) seating area.
To make my wife happy, she wants a decent size bathroom and electric fireplace. In order to have the room to accomodate her wishes (and satisfy my love of vintage trailer design) I have gone with a cab-over type of design (like a vintage Shasta Astrodome TT). This actually allowed me to design a king size upper bunk and a U-shaped dinette that converts to a full size queen. I think it can very comfortably sleep four adults and two small kids.
The small "L" off of the upper bunk measures 66"x32", so it it would work for younger (grand) children.
Lots of storage in the bathroom! The area under the storage is where the water heater will be and also exterior accessed storage.
Kitchen counter measures 96"!
Two large wardrobes or one could be used as a pantry. 10 cu.ft. 12v refridgerator. Above the fridge is the breaker/load center.
Electric fireplace for the wife! The top lifts and has storage for the dinette table and the pedestal legs.
Configured for seating with the table and legs stored away.
Configured for dining with the ladder to access the upper king bunk. There is 25" from the top of the mattress to the ceiling, so it should feel pretty open.
Dinette converted to a full size queen bunk (60"x80")
Exterior view
Wow, I can't believe it's been almost 7 years since I started this thread. Although I haven't done the complete tear down/rebuild yet, I did do some major renovation in 2018. I basically gutted half of the interior by removing the rear bunk area and the bathroom and then rebuilt/reconfigured it a little bit.
I need to fix some rot in the front corners, but that will probably happen next year. Some time in the next month or two I will be replacing the axles, I lost a bearing on a trip and it chewed up the end of the spindle pretty badly. Unfortunately a direct replacement axle is no longer available (3" drop spindle), so I have to replace both axles and brakes (ouch!).
I still do plan on tearing it down to the frame, but that's been pushed off for at least 5 or more years. The plus side is that I have had a lot longer to think about how I want to use the trailer in the future and I have probably gone through dozens of different design ideas and finally came up with something that my wife and I are both very happy with.
Gutting sleeping area and bathroom.
Had to fix a little rot in the corner.
Closing the walls back up.
Checking the bathroom wall framing.
Putting new flooring down.
Bathroom walls, tub franibg and vanity getting installed
New tub/shower surround and vanity installed. I replaced the vent chase to give a little more storage.
New bunk arrangement, a bunk on each side with a raised transverse bunk along the back wall that can be folded up when not needed.
New upper cabinet on each side with a shelf between them. Bunks also double as seating.
A queen size sleeping area can be made by placing a support between the two bottom bunks.
A new barn style sliding door for the bathroom.
Peel and stick tiles to spruce up the kitchen.
I need to fix some rot in the front corners, but that will probably happen next year. Some time in the next month or two I will be replacing the axles, I lost a bearing on a trip and it chewed up the end of the spindle pretty badly. Unfortunately a direct replacement axle is no longer available (3" drop spindle), so I have to replace both axles and brakes (ouch!).
I still do plan on tearing it down to the frame, but that's been pushed off for at least 5 or more years. The plus side is that I have had a lot longer to think about how I want to use the trailer in the future and I have probably gone through dozens of different design ideas and finally came up with something that my wife and I are both very happy with.
Gutting sleeping area and bathroom.
Had to fix a little rot in the corner.
Closing the walls back up.
Checking the bathroom wall framing.
Putting new flooring down.
Bathroom walls, tub franibg and vanity getting installed
New tub/shower surround and vanity installed. I replaced the vent chase to give a little more storage.
New bunk arrangement, a bunk on each side with a raised transverse bunk along the back wall that can be folded up when not needed.
New upper cabinet on each side with a shelf between them. Bunks also double as seating.
A queen size sleeping area can be made by placing a support between the two bottom bunks.
A new barn style sliding door for the bathroom.
Peel and stick tiles to spruce up the kitchen.
