Teardrops & Tiny Travel Trailers

[Steve_Cox]

The finished trailer, "Little Gypsy"



The Build

I've had this Harbor Freight 1740 Lb trailer sitting around for a while, so I've decided to lower and stretch it and build a mini-gypsy caravan. I don't really have any written plans, but I've been thinking about it for a while. Here's the frame stretched to 117". I'm going to make the footwell out of bed frame angle iron, and keeping with the bolt together frame concept, it will be bolted together too. The plan is to be able to get it in and out of the garage with the wheels on, and still have 6'2" head room.

_________________
Steve

[coal_burner]

What is a mini gypsy caravan?

Do you plan on making it a POP-UP like Rae's, or a more traditional vardo?
_________________
We may have philosophy and opposable thumbs, but most humans show all the wisdom of starved raccoons. It's amazing that more of us aren't found flattened on the side of our own roads.

[CaptainKram]

Steve, here's a couple of places to get some ideas:

http://www.amvardo.com/caravan/

http://www.enslin.com/rae/gypsy/wagon.htm (cool Pop-Up style)

http://gypsywaggons.co.uk/varhistory.htm (different styles)

http://www.speedace.info/gypsy_caravan.htm (here's one for sale with a slide out and some GREAT interior shots)

http://www.celticjuju.com/wagons.html (interesting models!)

I was thinking about a gypsy wagon before I found this site. Might get back to it one of these days.

CK
_________________
"A woman drove me to drink, and I didn't even have the decency to thank her." ~W. C. Feilds

[Mary K]

Cool Steve!! Looking forward to watching your build.

Mk
_________________
Mary K
Build Pictures

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. Bilbo Baggins

[rmclarke]

Ditto what MaryK said!

Did I hear footwell?? "How low will you go?"

Can't wait to see more details....

Richard
_________________
When a hammer is the only tool you own, every problem begins to look like a nail...

'SunHopper' in progress!

[Steve_Cox]

[starleen2]

How much ground clearance is that footwell?? looks like a "sparker" to me
_________________
S. Stewart
www.txstewartfamily.com
Build Thread

[Steve_Cox]

[Miriam C.]

Sounds like a great idea to me. Don't matter if it is a sparker just move it to the side yard so I have a place to visit. So hurry up
_________________
Aunti M (Miriam)
build thread And more pictures
Be good, Be kind, Be careful

[Outlaw]

I can't wait to see this build Please keep the progress pics coming.
_________________
Eric

[Steve_Cox]

Auntie M,

I agree it would look best sitting in the garden, awaiting your visit.

No new pics today, going to Daytona cause it's Biketoberfest
_________________
Steve

[Steve_Cox]

Floor is on, the short side pieces are just clamped in place so far, this will form the ledge for the walls. Some vardos or gypsy wagons were called a ledge because the bottom formed a box that had a ledge built out over the wagon wheels, I am making a ledge so the bed area can be across the back of the trailer. I'm getting to the part where I spend more time in the chair looking at it than making sawdust.
_________________
Steve

[devigata]

[Steve_Cox]

[Steve_Cox]

I started the framing for the walls. The first top bow was several layers of 1/4" plywood laminated together with Titebond III. After the 1st top bow, I made a jig to match it to make the rest, they are going to be several pieces of pine laminated with epoxy, because it cures faster than the Titebond III dries. I added an inch of bow at each end to allow for spring back, It was just a guess, so I guess I'll know when the first one comes off the jig how it turns out.



_________________
Steve