Compact III - kin to the Hunter Compact Jr

[TimC]

I am contemplating building the Compact III to accommodate my wife's needs for a standie with a toilet. Has anyone any opinions if this is a suitable foamie candidate?

I saved the plan on my G Drive a few years ago so if anyone needs that plan I can share it (assuming that is OK with the creator - not the big guy). It appears the plans are no longer in the Design Library, at least temporarily.

Tim

[booyah]

Would love to see it if possible, just was looking at the idea of a standy next year, and saw the design library appears gone

[TimC]

Would love to see it if possible, just was looking at the idea of a standy next year, and saw the design library appears gone

Yeah, gone. I was wondering if it was just me.

Its a neat design that I think will adapt itself to foam construction. Very minimal and the floor plan pdf gives multiple layouts that might work for many folks. It still only sleeps two unless # three and four are youngsters in bunks or some other arrangement.

Edit... Just realized that the PDFs are a copywrite of Andrew Gibbons. In a search I found this thread.
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=66454

In the last post there is a link to the "way back machine" data with links to the Compact III. Click on Compact and it will eventually take you to the Compact III

https://web.archive.org/web/20151029094952/http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk:80/teardrop/tear00.htm

[TimC]

I'm contemplating building the Compact III by Andy Gibbons and have a general question about the chassis. I've included images of his chassis plan. To me this chassis design looks to be a very light construction. Would you add more frame under this trailer? Or any other changes you can suggest? Thanks.

My intention is to build with foam so the trailer will likely have a dry weight of less than 1K lbs. The trailer will be welded up by someone else as welding skills are not my thing. The floor plan is approximately 68" x 114". The aisle is intended to be less than 36" of the rear and the balance is bed/table/bench area. Suggested materials specs are on the third photo.







Most likely layout is below.

[tony.latham]

Would you add more frame under this trailer?

Assuming you use a torsion axle, it'll act as a cross-member. But I think another cross-member is needed between the axle and the front angle piece. Just another piece of 1/8" angle. If nothing else, it's needed to support the floor.



But engineer, I'm not.

Tony

[saywhatthat]

we been using Andrew Gibbons frame plans on our rentals had one rear-ended on the freeway had another one flipped and rolled down the side hill like a ball and they still seem to hold up great.
The Pod has a lot of support.

rise 001 (1).jpg (69.94 KiB) Viewed 539 times

[QueticoBill]

The frame seems fine. Whether or not more steel is needed to support the floor depends on floor design.

I like the floor plan - center front or rear entrance makes lots of things work better. I do wonder if a plan 7' wide allowing sleeping crosswise doesn't use space better. Does suggest a couple rather than just friends.

[saywhatthat]

did not the original have a spacer between the bunks to make it in to a one bed . How much weight and build time do you think you would save buy going back to the original cloth around the lifting roof ?

[TimC]

did not the original have a spacer between the bunks to make it into one bed . How much weight and build time do you think you would save buy going back to the original cloth around the lifting roof ?

I think the plan mentions a solid bed across as an option using the table top. I like the idea of a space between them. I have been in bedrooms where I have to crawl from the foot of the bed to get in and out and I really dislike that.

I haven't given much thought to hard or soft sides for the pop top. I think that with the versatility of foam there is the possibility of foam sides, at least two of the three. Fabric seems to have potential folding issues. Like when they fold the wrong direction and cause storing problems.

[TimC]

Would you add more frame under this trailer?

Assuming you use a torsion axle, it'll act as a cross-member. But I think another cross-member is needed between the axle and the front angle piece. Just another piece of 1/8" angle. If nothing else, it's needed to support the floor.



But engineer, I'm not.

Tony

Tony, the only springs I have experience with are under and over slung leaf spring type. I understand how they don't add much, or any, structural support to the frame. I'll have to study up on the different designs. I'm guessing on torsion axles they have a solid cross member spanning the frame?

[TimC]

we been using Andrew Gibbons frame plans on our rentals had one rear-ended on the freeway had another one flipped and rolled down the side hill like a ball and they still seem to hold up great.
The Pod has a lot of support.

rise 001 (1).jpg

Are you saying don't worry about adding more structure? It is reassuring that the frames are tougher than they appear. The cabin does add some structural strength. I keep forgetting that.

[bdosborn]

Assuming you use a torsion axle, it'll act as a cross-member. But I think another cross-member is needed between the axle and the front angle piece. Just another piece of 1/8" angle. If nothing else, it's needed to support the floor.

I'm with Tony, you need more cross members especially if you're going to walk on the floor. I added a frame member down the aisle after I walked on the floor before fastening it down. I followed the span rating of the ply but the floor was *super* spongy before I added the steel. I was afraid my fat ass would go through the floor eventually, especially when two of us were standing on it.

Bruce

[QueticoBill]

Assuming you use a torsion axle, it'll act as a cross-member. But I think another cross-member is needed between the axle and the front angle piece. Just another piece of 1/8" angle. If nothing else, it's needed to support the floor.

What was the floor?

I'm with Tony, you need more cross members especially if you're going to walk on the floor. I added a frame member down the aisle after I walked on the floor before fastening it down. I followed the span rating of the ply but the floor was *super* spongy before I added the steel. I was afraid my fat ass would go through the floor eventually, especially when two of us were standing on it.

Bruce

[bdosborn]

I think I used 1/2" plywood, it's been 10 years now so I'm not sure:

You can see all the north/south bracing I added after I walked on the plywood. I wouldn't span more than 18" or so without some kind of support.



I didn't add near this much bracing on my teardrop, walking on the floor is a point load that tears don't need to be braced for.

Bruce

[tony.latham]

I'm guessing on torsion axles they have a solid cross member spanning the frame?

Yes, they do and they add much more lateral stability than a standard spring axle.

Tony