Questions regarding a Bow Top vardo

[dontpanik]

So, our teardrop build was put off AGAIN this last fall due to my DH getting laid-off again. I do love these economic time we're in

While going online I stumbled across the bow-top vardo design and sort of fell in love. My TV is a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. Please keep in mind while I am computer proficient, my car know how is zilch. You could tell me one of the hamsters died and I lost a cylinder and I couldn't argue with you *sigh*.Here are my questions:

These things used to be made out of hardwood and were towed by 2-4 horses, why is there such a small weight my sebring can tow (1000 lbs), is it the weight ratio?

Has anyone built one and put a layer of (here's where my ignorance will show again) silver-bubble-wrap-stuff-you-see-in-car-window-shades between the outside layer of canvas/tarp and the inside of the trailer?

For all this, what kind of weight am I looking at? I've seen on the American Vardo site that the vardo itself weighs in around 500lb and with the trailer its around 650#. If I just add a dorm fridge and a small a/c unit, should I still be ok weight-wise?

Is there a way to see what the weight will be before I build...or at least a very good estimate? Am I overthinking this weight thing?

This style has really struck my fancy and while I know the towing would be VERY slow, I would rather take the back roads anyway . Frankly we usually camp locally here in FL anyway and don't have to deal with any grades (except a few causeways). We're hoping to purchase a truck next year, but since DH isn't working at the moment, We may have the sebring as a tv for a bit longer. Thanks for any answers.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Good morning, Dontpanik!

What a horse can pull compared to what a car can pull is a matter of towing speed, braking at speed, gearing of the tow vehicle, wind resistance, etc. The wagon trains that crossed the plains and came to California averaged 5 miles a DAY.

The silver bubble wrap would make a decent barrier, like is now popular to put in the attic on the rafters, but better insulation is available at very low cost, without any weight penalty.

I'm not the one to guesstimate the final weight, but there are at least 2 Vardo builders on this forum that could help.

That's all the answers I have. Others will fill in the gaps, I'm sure.

[Steve_Cox]

Thanks for the link. Lots of fun wagons to look at.

Don't Panic,

The Woopee waggon mentioned could be built to weigh less than #1000 easily. I have thought the foil/bubble/foil would make a good insulation for a bow top. I would put a colorful layer of fabric, the insulation, then the canvas. Good luck, have fun, drive slow

[StandUpGuy]

There is nothing in the shape of the Vardo trailer that would require it to be heavy. I just think the people attracted to this type of trailer may tend to build them heavy. There is no reason why a light weight approach could not be taken.

[dontpanik]

Thank you all ! My DH is pretty game with this idea, In fact I think he prefers it to the tear. We're also trying to design the interior. We're going to buck the traditional vardo interior for several reasons:weight and practicality. Instead of a built in, permanent bed, we'll build a convertible dinette and there will be a small camp kitchen. I'm also planning a small bench that will have the ability to store a camp toilet of we boondock it (very rare for us).

Regarding the multiple layer for the roof, I was wondering if you think condensation would be an issue? Also, what is the top layer I keep seeing on most of the vardos? I've seen a few with the standard tarp material, but many more with that seafoam green fabric. Anyone know what it is and if you can purchase it in the US?

Again, thank you all very, very much!!

[joey_ingram]

the green fabric is canvas.

[bobhenry]

I have been pondering how best to cover the osb walls in the 4 x 7. The avenue I think I have chosen is to cut 3/4 blue foam to fit and then wrap with quilt batting and a somewhat durable yet colorful choice of yard goods. Simply wrap and back tape the devil out of it. There are some very good tapes that will hold up well. I have been using a construction tape for osb wall seams and it will actually tear wood fibers out of dimensional lumber when removing it. I will simply use some contact adhesive as well as relying on a good tight friction fit to install the finished panel.

For your vardo I would cut several pairs of plywood bows (these would be your spars) and fill between the pair with several small 2x3 or 2x4 as a fastening block top and bottom. On top simply fabric wrap a few cut to fit sheets of 3/4 to 1" polyisocyanurate foil faced insulation board and back tape and attach to the top of your bows. By cutting 4 sheets to cover the entire area you could create a checker board pattern by covering them with different materials.

Then under each mock beam take a contrasting material and blouse it full and install it on the underside by making a small slit in the material and screw thru a backer of 1/8" luan and foam.
By staining and antiquing the face of the bows it will give the illusion of big heavy beams without the weight. Your roof is fully decorated and insulated (oh by the way foil side up to reflect the summer heat). Install the steel or aluminum roof as planned by screwing into the fastner blocks or better yet install perlins full length and box the side facia and soffit to protect the fabric. A ice dam membrane or heavy poly water barrier at the edge would be a good bit of insurance to protect against water intrusion.

[Deryk the Pirate]

I guess I need to check this forum more often!

Its totally doable for way under a 1000lbs. My first lil vardo was about 750 with the futon in it, this with a canvas top would be really light. Im contemplating a standup bowtop for my next vardo build. The floor would be your heaviest part.

If money is less of an issue, http://www.paulowniasupply.com/paulowni ... istics.htm would be an ideal choice for the 2 end pieces, light and would resist rot ( was about $20 for a 1x6x16' length check your area and try to find a lumberyard for better quality lumber then the 2 box stores imho)... if not pine 1x6 toungue and groove would work. I used the paulownia in my first lil vardo because weight was an issue for my tow vehicle at the time.

Here is a link to pictures of one being built http://picasaweb.google.com/10826061911 ... EYL6IeoWQ#

Best of Luck

deryk

[Deryk the Pirate]

the green fabric is canvas.

Probably Sunbrella, check ebay for it, often times its for sale in bulk fairly cheap!

[mezmo]

Hi dontpanik,

I agree, Gypsy wagons/Vardos are neat. They are not aerodynamic as
you've noted, as they are a design from other eras. the "Cool" factor
cancels aero out for most devotees anyway.

That build link that Deryk posted for the green Bow Top is a good example
that they can be very basic and buildable and modest in cost, yet are
highly functional and fun.

Here's a post for another's modest build:
http://wireguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/our ... vardo.html

Another modest but good build [details throughout the blog]:
http://www.whittleddown.com

This is for inspiration but is much more labor intensive. They did help
the non-areo aspect with their front design. This was a college thesis
project:
http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house-concept/protostoga/
http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house-con ... ga-update/
http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/pr ... -interior/

This is purely for the drool factor it causes! A beautiful UK example.
Very inspirational too:
http://www.gregsgypsybowtops.co.uk/default.html

Another beautiful build-in-progress, more ambitious than the modest:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/koalamate

A UK site with a great picture gallery [7pps] of the old ones:
http://gypsywaggons.co.uk/index.htm
http://gypsywaggons.co.uk/varsuk.htm

Here is a link to a German 'Shepherd's Car' [hut/cart] -SchaeferWagen
or SchaferWagen. These are much simpler than even vardos. These are
smaller and even cuter than Vardos. Here is a
modernday mfr's website:
http://www.schaeferwagen.de/
http://www.schaeferwagen.de/schaeferwagen.html

Other topics to Google for other ideas or info are: Shepherd Huts, and
Sheep Wagons.

Also, I've read somewhere, that the modern day gypsy term for the
traditional styles of vardos built on a modern caravan [TT] chassis is
"Whoopee Wagon"! - quite a moniker! - a great name to use anyway.

'Hope this isn't an over load for you, but only serves for inspiration, as
that is how it was intended.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

P.S. I wanted to also suggest that you look at the Foamie section as
there are quite a few good ideas there for weight savings and ease of
construction and such. Look at the 'Foamstream' and the The 'Foam
Consetoga' threads especially as they have elements very close to a
Bow Top Vardo.