like this?
1) How did you build the overhangs/steps over the rails and still enable them to be structurally sound, able to support the weight of the box? Do you have internal frame members built in?
I used 1/2 ply for the flooring since I already had a trailer floor of expanded metal covered by sheet metal. The floor was 4X6. For the overhang/ step over the rails, I used a 2x10 six feet long on both side and for the span on the front. Then I screwed to the top of that a 2x8 that was a little longer in the front to give a little overhang in the front (the width of a 2x10). After the step up was built I screwed the walls to the 2x8’s and framed from there. I used on sheet of Plywood per side – I used 1/2 first – but later I found that i could have used thinner ply with the same results
2) What are the final dimensions of your living area? How tall is it inside? I know one of your later creations is only four feet tall. But the Tiny looks taller.
No it is 4 feet tall as well. I wanted it not to exceed the height of our jeep when towing. It is 67 inches wide and about 7 feet long
3) How much does the whole rig weigh? I'm guessing about 500-750 lbs unloaded. I'd like to consider the ability to unload the box if I want the trailer for hauling items too large to fit inside. I do my towing with a VW Jetta. I'm comfortable at 1000-lbs or less. I've towed 1500-lbs... but I prefer lighter loads.
Don’t know exactly – I overbuilt it (See above). I estimated it to be about 900 lbs
4) Did your mattress sit right on the floor? Or did you have planks that laid across the stepped out area? Was it an inflatable mattress? Did all three of you sleep inside?
We used a foam mattress which was placed along planks that covered the well area. That area was used for storage. The planks were taken up when we loaded the camper to allow for more carrying capacity. Yes, all three of us slept inside very nicely
What Did I learn? First think light – I tended to overbuild on the first one. Use the structural strength of the plywood to your advantage. Next – Never put a shelf above where your head is going to be – I though I would always be mindful of the shelf, but after a few knocks on the head, I learned this wasn’t too wise. Third – the overhang on the back was unnecessary – another head killer.
And finally, these little trailers have the axel almost in the center of the trailer. With the overhang on the back, this gave me almost a negative tongue weight which would cause the trailer to sway. To counteract this, we would load the camper with a lot of the weight in front.
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