Bed in a Box - Tossing Some Ideas

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Bed in a Box - Tossing Some Ideas

Postby SimpleGreen » Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:40 pm

I did consider building a slide in for my 5x10 trailer but have since decided it's simply too much hassle to get it in and out.

That being said. I'm drawing up misc plans on what I could perhaps build. The one I have been thinking of the past couple days is pretty much as the name goes, 'Bed in a Box'. It will quite literally be a 4x8 3/4" plywood box on an HF 1720lb trailer. A door and window on each side, barn doors on the rear. A tongue box would hold all of the electrical.

Under the floor will be approximately a 4-6" deep storage area. In the middle will be space for my 2'x4' folding table to slide in. To the side of that will be a place for two fishing rods to stow. These can be slid out by opening the back doors. Everything else will be empty storage accessible by rolling the bed foam back and lifting the left or right side of the floor; it will simply hinge in the middle and lay in place.

In the rear will be storage for my 5 day cooler on a slide out tray with the remaining space perhaps used for a fresh water container. The top shelf will perhaps hold a microwave, maybe our little Coleman stove, and some dry goods.

Inside there will be a shelf 1 foot from the ceiling, extending perhaps up to 18" out. This will probably be for some duffel bags. A Fantastic fan would be in the ceiling in the middle along with a dome light nearby. Probably a few hooks along the walls up high for hanging things. I'm thinking a reading light on each side. There would be a 110V outlet at the foot board and head board. 12V outlets at the head board, maybe at a small shelf in the middle of the forward wall for holding a cell phone, etc.

There would be an extra plug in at ceiling level for the addition of a small wall mounted fan or a ceramic heater, as needed.

Outside a porch light at both doors and 110V outdoor rated outlets on both the left and right side, perhaps above or just ahead of the fenders. A stainless hook by both doors for hanging shoes or whatever else.

I would like to design a custom awning on each side that would roll out for a little cover should I not want to setup a bigger 10x10 at the time. I figure I could do this easily with some PVC pipe, a couple custom made vinyl sheets, some drip rail, and a little creativity.

A tongue box would hold all the electrical stuff, extensions cords, a portable radio, and whatever else I fancy. The shoreline connection would be mounted on this box, too. I'm thinking about putting all lights on a wire less key fob to make electrical wiring alot simpler (no switches everywhere) with a simple override switch for everything inside the box should the fob be lost, broken, dead, etc.

Paint, probably a simple white with appropriate Saints, LSU and Chevrolet Bowtie decals placed accordingly

:lol:

Here are my super sweet drawings I came up with. Eat your heart out, computer programs :oops:

Image

Image

Image

Feel free to criticize, question, add to, take from, etc. I'm just brain storming because I'm considering building a tiny trailer, so this may not be a final plan by any means. This one is a very utilitarian build that has maximum space and very simple to build...I mean c'mon....its a BOX, lol!

Cyall!
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Postby tnsurveyor » Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:28 pm

It looks like you have thought it out very well. I have tnought about something similar. Take a look at the design library, and the nontraditional designs. What you are looking at is tbe simple design.

Please post pics as you progress.

Good luck
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Postby SimpleGreen » Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:32 pm

Whoa, I've never seen the design library until just now, lol. Gonna have to look around. Ya, I tend to put a lot of thought even into 'ideas'. I'd like to start building something this year if things play nice around the home stead.
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Postby Duane King » Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:46 pm

I've spent hundreds of hours designing trailers I will never actually build. I just like trying to improve on what I have seen. One thing I have learned from all of this work . . . don't be afraid of curves. If I am reading your plan correctly, you are thinking of a big box. This will be simple to build and that is good. But it will not be as strong or as aesthetically pleasing as a curved front like you see on most teardrops. When I built my trailer I was amazed a just how strong the front of a curved teardrop can be. When you sheet the ceiling inside with thin plywood and you sheet the roof as well with thin plywood, you create a reinforced structure that takes advantage of the inherent shear strength of the materials and you end up with something very very rigid. Much more than you might imagine. And it looks nice too. On my trailer, the curved front is the strongest point of the whole design. I have never been able to figure out how to improve on it.

Your box will work great. And if that is what you build, fantastic. Just want to be sure you stop to consider the strength of curves. Good luck
Duane King

<img src="http://www.mikenchell.com/images/roadhouse.jpg" >
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Postby Woodstramp » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:49 am

When I built my trailer I was amazed a just how strong the front of a curved teardrop can be. When you sheet the ceiling inside with thin plywood and you sheet the roof as well with thin plywood, you create a reinforced structure that takes advantage of the inherent shear strength of the materials and you end up with something very very rigid. Much more than you might imagine.


Totally agree. Amazingly strong and less wind drag. Mine has only luann on the inside, 1" thick spars with floating sheet metal on the outside and it can support 230lbs of me....and the span is 72"
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