Vardo with extra room

[Dansworld77]

So I'm really into the vardo style trailers I've seen on here and elsewhere, and am starting to lean in that direction for when I start my own build. I have a couple ideas I'd like to bounce off of you folks for expanding the usability/space though.

First off, I'm more interested in the bow-top style than the ledge style, mostly for the ability to turn the bed sideways, but I am questioning why all the ones I've seen are tucked inside the wheel wells at the bottom rather than just coming straight down from the widest point of the body. That would allow a great deal more floor-space/storage,whatever. Obviously you'd have to build in wheel wells of some sort, but having the full width both ahead of and behind the axle would allow a lot more options for the layout.

Second, I'm trying to think of some way of making the front of the trailer slightly more aerodynamic rather than just having a flat wall up there. The two ideas I've had so far are:

1. If the door is at the back, then have some sort of bay window type thing built into the front, which would presumably split the air at least a little better than just a flat wall.

2. Have the door on the front, but mounted into sort of a V-front design so that you would enter from the side of the vee. with this idea you could still have a bay window sticking out the back making the bed area feel much more spacious.

My thinking is that while these additions would complicate the build a lot they would also allow a much larger feeling interior to be built onto a smaller frame and keeping it at least reasonable in the weight department. As of yet I'm still just figuring out the bare basics on sketch-up, so i can't really post pictures of these ideas, but hopefully my explanation is clear enough that folks can understand what I'm talking about. Please feel free to give me your feedback everyone. I'm still reading and learning, and am eager to hear from those with more experience about what rookie mistakes I might be making here.

[mezmo]

Hi Dansworld77,

I think most of the Vardos now being done are going somewhat on
either the earlier designs, or a desire to not have wheel wells. For some
unknown reason, wheelwells seem to be a bugaboo for a lot of people.
Also, a lot of people are enamored of 'the wheels outside of the trailer body'
"look" too. So it really just boils down to personal choice.

Doing as you propose will give more storage as you state and not be that
difficult to build. It's all in what one wants. If that is what you want, then go for it !

Here're some links/info I had 'laying around' for any use you may get of it:

Other 'vardoish' type predecessor vehicles that you can get further inspiriation
from are:
Shepherds Huts [UK-United Kingdom]
http://www.google.com/search?q=shepherd ... 40&bih=783
Schaeferwagens [DE -Germany]
http://www.schaeferwagen.de/schaeferwagen.html
Roulottes [FR-France]
https://www.google.com/search?q=Roulott ... 40&bih=737
And Sheepwagons/Sheepcamps [USA]
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site ... 40&bih=783

Of the traditional UK gypsy wagons, http://gypsywaggons.co.uk/ , the Reading style
[slanted sidewalls] is my favorite. Here are some pics of a large modern homebuilt Vardo, that
someone had for sale, that did a takeoff on the Reading style and which used the 'unused
space', that you mentioned, for exterior access storage - a very good idea I think. This is
much larger than what you are probably thinking of, but it gives a nice visual of what I just mentioned.

[Click on all pics to get a larger view.]




And here is a pic of an approach to 'aero', somewhat, the front of a vardo-like mini-
motorhome - similar to what you thought about doing. [From: http://www.motherearthnews.com/home-on- ... z2MYYBe2Q8 ] This could be done with a half-wall on the bottom and
a window above etc..



Also, here is a really nice modern BowTop Vardo Caravan from the UK:
http://www.gregsgypsybowtops.co.uk/default.html

'Just thought I'd pass along some info I had that I thought might be of
use. Happy planning !

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Dansworld77]

Thank you. Lots of good inspiration there.

[ImDBatty1]

Thank you. Lots of good inspiration there.

That Norm/mezmo sure is awesomely helpful...

Dan, I'm probably at the same stage of the game as you are, except I use pictures when my words fail me...

^v^