Project summary
I wish to build a squaredrop that can sleep 3 (2+1 child), dimensions are 78 wide x120 long x52 high, exterior. It needs to have A/C for Summer and some heating for Spring, Fall and maybe Winter. It will be insulated and skinned. It also needs to be able to stand some gravel washboard roads but no real obstacles (no crawling and no mud) but still be as lightweight as possible as gas ain’t cheap in Canada, sadly. The roof needs to be able to carry 2 fishing kayaks and eventually, support a rooftop tent.
Frame
All yellow parts are 2x2 0.125 square tubes and red parts are 2x2 0.125 angles. Would that be strong enough? Orange part is the axle placement, 62 front-38 back
Axle
I first settled on a 2000lbs 72in H/F axle with a 60in center spring. With a regular 8 spoke trailer wheel, would the offset made overall lenght of the axle+wheels and tire close to the 78 exterior dimensions? I do not want the wheels to look recessed in the camper. The axle is 62/38 front/rear ratio which is supposed to be OK.
Wheels and tires
I’m pretty much setted on the standard 8 spokes trailer wheel in black with 205/75R15 tires to give a bit more clearance to the camper. I might try to find a deal on aluminum wheels though, as they look nicer and are a tad lighter.
Floor
I planned on sandwiching 2x2 (most would be pressure-treated, worth it?) between either 1/4 subfloor plywood (ext. grade glue) weatherproofed with tar or 1/8 HDPE sheets for the very bottom. Insulating it with Isoclad 1.5in with the air barrier facing the ground. There would be a polyethylene vapor barrier and then, either 1/8 plywood or 1/4 subfloor, still wondering on that one. Here is the floor framing scheme :
Red is pressure treated :
Walls
I planned on doing them a bit like the floor, with 2x2 pressure-threated, trying my best to space them 16in center. Insulation will be Isoclad 1-1/2 like the floor. I am wondering if 1/8 plywood both inside and outside is enough? I plan on adding some kind of vapor barrier. Do I need to add Tyvek white stuff as an additionnal air barrier?
Roof/Ceiling
The roof « truss » will be glued over the walls. They will be 2x2. Still the same Iso Clad insulation foam with it's air barrier outside plus a vapor barrier polyethylene inside. Like the walls, I am wondering if I could get away with 1/8 plywood instead of 1/4 or more ? I also planned for either a MaxxAir or a Fan-Tastic Fan, depending on which one sits lower so it's not in the kayak's way.
Galley
I would like to include a small sink with a manual pump (can't recall the popular teardrop well known model though) with a small counter and a 2-burner Coleman stove that I might put on a rail table, keyboard drawer style. I would also like to put a Koolatron AC/DC fridge and an AC 700w microwave. I will also put an house window AC with triple "docks"
Cabin
There will be room for a queen size bed and a 29"x74" bunk bed. The bunk will sit higher and will have some small cabinets under it AND into it. I also planned 3 domes lights:
- One in the bunkbed
- One on the driver side of the fan-tastic
- One on the passenger side of the fan-tastic
They might be driven by "night tables" incorporated switches, not sure yet. Talking about these night tables, they will be equipped with 12V cigarette outlet and a dual port USB charger. I will also put a USB charger in the bunk bed area.
As you can see, I also hope to integrate a "TV" on the bunkbed privacy wall. This will be no more than a computer screen with integrated speakers. I would also like to add 12V heater even if I know these are battery drainers. Roadpro 300W seems promising, I will use thicker gauge wire and a 15amp certified cigarette outlet for this one. I'm just not sure about its location yet. I would also heat with a 120V small heater if AC is available but more often than not, I will be boondocking.
There we go, I hope you enjoyed the reading and I am looking forward for comments and suggestions ! I expect to build the frame in the few next weeks and complete as much as one can do during christmas holidays !