Expedition Pod Concept (Compact Toy Hauler)

[Outdoorsman]

Hey Gang,

I have been scouring this awesome forum for awhile now in anticipation of starting my own compact toy hauler build. I believe I have finally come up with the perfect concept that seems to fulfill all of my requirements. For inspiration I have looked to the following trailers: The Castaway (I don't want a slide, due to leak potential), Little Guys tandem axle R/T Sport with deck (deck is too short, no galley), Little Guys Sport with deck (tongue heavy, deck is too short). My requirements are to build a compact trailer that can function as a standie, has an interior galley, and can haul up to two full size ATV's sideways or one UTV pulled straight on to the deck all within my 82" x 16' trailer limits. I am working on the overall floor plan now, but the full king size bed will roll out about four feet from the sloped area under the deck for sleeping, and be rolled back under during the day.

I introduce the Expedition Pod, 1" is equal to a foot on my drawing. Please feel free to give feedback be it good or bad as I would like to get this build underway soon.

Thank you,
Brandon

[Outdoorsman]

This is the other option... Only mine would have a longer deck, but of course I like mine better.

[Outdoorsman]

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[danlott]

I like your concept. If it fits your needs than go for it. Kind of reminds me of a snow cat. You could look at getting semi sleeper and putting it on a flat bed trailer for a faster build. Would not be exactly like your design, but would be close.

Dan

[Outdoorsman]

Ha, your right it does kind of look like a Snow Cat! Thanks for your feedback.

[mezmo]

Hi Outdoorsman,

Just curious as to what the floorplan design is for the
"cab" area? If the cooking area is in the front, and you
don't "have" to have a king-size bed you might be able to
save some material cost and build complexity by putting
a Murphy style or side mount fold down bed against the flat
back wall with a small fold down table and simple bench(s)
mounted on the daytime vertical platform/base of the fold-
down bed [which is the underneath of the bed at night] for
day use if wanted. Then just fold up the table and bench(s)
and then fold down the bed for night use.

This would also allow easier loading of the ATVs, etc., and
give you a lower CG for towing. Even though this won't be
and aerodynamic unit - due to the utility wanted - you could
help some with that by using a blunt nose, sized equal to or just
less than the max cross-sectional area of the tow vehicle. That might
even give you a bit more interior cabinet room in the front
as a side bonus.

On the 5th posting of the following thread, I gave some info on doing
such that may be of use for you:
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=50555

Also, try checking out the Foamie section for light build techniques
also. They could help you possibly lower total tow weight and such.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Outdoorsman]

Thanks for the response and ideas. I am still working on the floor plan, it will be pretty simple though; bed will slide in and out about four feet and the cabinet/bar counter with stools will be mounted in the front. I thought about the horizontal Murphy Bed idea and found that I would need at least 60" of floor clearance for a queen size bed. I decided to go with the king size bed to take full use of trailer space.

Thanks

[Outdoorsman]

I have posted the rough draft of the Expedition Pod's floor plan, as always any feedback be it good or bad is greatly appreciated as it will save me money and time on screw-ups. I have been doing some more research online and on this forum and believe I am going to build a complete 1" square tubing welded frame for the walls, with 1/4" wood on the interior, 1" foam for the core, and either aluminum or stainless skin for the exterior; as I am an aircraft mechanic / sheet metal worker and am familiar with the stuff. Does anyone see any potential pitfall to this type of construction other than weight.

Thank you,
Outdoorsman

[mezmo]

Just wondering what will support the weight of the two ATVs
and/or the UTV above the lower bed compartment?

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Outdoorsman]

There will be a welded cage made out of boxed 2"x4" 1/4" steel uprights and cross-members spaced every two feet and tied into the rails on the car hauler trailer as shown in the drawing. This is the same material that the car hauler trailer is made out of so it should be strong enough I believe. I will probably cover the atv/ utv deck with either 2"x6" wood or heavy gauge expanded metal, the maximum load ever on the deck should be around 1,500 pounds to 2,00 pounds. Please keep the feedback and ideas coming.

Thank you,
Outdoorsman

[Outdoorsman]

Come on, 229 views and only 2 people have given feedback. Please continue to offer your concerns, opinions or suggestions as I will be purchasing materials soon and I would appreciate feedback as I value all of your opinions.

Thanks,
Outdoorsman

[crumbruiser]

I think your design is cooler and better than the other one in the picture. Go for it and don't forget !
Frank

[StandUpGuy]

I think it is very cool. I was thinking that one option would be to make the mattress hiding area tall enough so that your legs and even your torso had enough room to fit without sliding the matress out. This arrangement is often done in boats where the legs are under the deck of the boat but there is room to sit up in the bed where the persons head is. If this were done then a very big bed could be used and there would be more room in the cabin part for other stuff. Just a thought.

[Outdoorsman]

Thank you all for the comments, I will be starting soon.
Outdoorsman

[tnsurveyor]

I really like your concept. I was thinking of something similiar earlier today. I have the need for a small sleeping area and the room for either an atv or my utv for work trips. I own my own small business, and travel a good bit and would like to cut down on hotel costs.