Anyone full-timing in a 6 x 8 cargo trailer?

[mothercoder]

If you're full-timing in a 6x8 trailer, I'd love to see how you laid it out. No matter how I configure things on paper, it doesn't seem to work well. 

Also, what's the free CAD type software for doing this? Keep forgetting the name.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Six by eight?

That's called a phone booth!

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

6x8 is going to be small but doable. A Lot of people setup smaller vans that are close to those dimensions and full time.

I actually thought about using a 6x8 trailer. I decided to go with a van instead.

I'm not sure what free programs are good for layout. I'm sure others can name a few. I like Viso and Autocad.
A couple low tech tips for you layout. Use grid paper and specify each grid as a unit of measurement. 
Or use a program like word or powerpoint and use shapes. Convert the units. 1 inch = 1 foot.

Id recommend for a small space like that to use a dinette or murphy bed setup.

Here is a link to 2 of my van projects. 

The first one has some ideas that would be good for your kitchen. It shows the kitchen right after the intro 1:30'ish mark.


The second one uses a dinette set up for the bed/table area which could be a good space saver as well. 2:00 Mark



I think it's doable you'll just have to be creative.

 

[mothercoder]

[quote pid='346885' dateline='1510175577']

Id recommend for a small space like that to use a dinette or murphy bed setup.

Here is a link to 2 of my van projects. 

The first one has some ideas that would be good for your kitchen. It shows the kitchen right after the intro 1:30'ish mark.


The second one uses a dinette set up for the bed/table area which could be a good space saver as well. 2:00 Mark



I think it's doable you'll just have to be creative.
[/quote]

I can't build anything like a Murphy bed thanks to my shoulder injury. Everything will have to be pretty much modular like IKEA.  I've used graph paper for layouts and it's just not a good visual for me. Hoping for a 3D look see.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

You can't get any help building? I know lots of people use Ikea stuff. My biggest concern is eating up floor space real quick using bulkier pre fab stuff.

Just curious what amenities are you wanting your trailer to have?

 

[mothercoder]

You can't get any help building? I know lots of people use Ikea stuff. My biggest concern is eating up floor space real quick using bulkier pre fab stuff.

Just curious what amenities are you wanting your trailer to have?

No help unless I can pay for it. My son is less handy than me and he's a full-time student and expecting his first child in 6 weeks.

Amenities: full twin bed (I can't sleep on memory foam), storage, kitchen area with room for camp stove, small prep area and maybe a sink although I'm ok just using plastic tub. That's about it. Flip up table space would be nice.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Attached is a layout that is probably not very useful. I was bored so I was playing with ideas as if I was doing your build with your requirements. I used viso everything should be pretty close to scale.

With this plan you would have to have under bed. Storage and hopefully some cabniets on the wall. I know when I was trying to lay out a small trailer it was very hard to come up with ideas that didn't just eat floor space. That's why I did the hideaway kitchen in the first van.

I'll do some searching tommrow and see if I can find a decent free 3d cad. I know I've seen some before but can't remember.

Having a full twin that dosent collapse is going to take alot of room. You will probably have to be willing the have the bed be your lounge area as well.

The bed is 3.5x6 I believe that's a twin
The kitchen is 3x2.

 

[mothercoder]

Attached is a layout that is probably not very useful. I was bored so I was playing with ideas as if I was doing your build with your requirements. I used viso everything should be pretty close to scale.

With this plan you would have to have under bed. Storage and hopefully some cabniets on the wall. I know when I was trying to lay out a small trailer it was very hard to come up with ideas that didn't just eat floor space. That's why I did the hideaway kitchen in the first van.

I'll do some searching tommrow and see if I can find a decent free 3d cad. I know I've seen some before but can't remember.

Having a full twin that dosent collapse is going to take alot of room. You will probably have to be willing the have the bed be your lounge area as well.

The bed is 3.5x6 I believe that's a twin
The kitchen is 3x2.

Thank you for the help! Unfortunately, the bed has to go lengthwise. The 6' width is before insulation and that will take up a few inches. I'm 5'4" so while a bed across the back would work in theory, since I can't do memory foam...  I don't have exact dimensions of the interior. I do know the door doesn't offset that far from the nose.  I don't expect to be able to get the layout figured out before I get it. I just don't want to get less (or more) of a trailer than I need. I will have the Suburban for storage so I only need enough for immediate needs: basic clothes, pantry, cooking gear, hygiene needs.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

The only bad thing about having the other way is is going to give you less floor space. I have never cut down a regular mattress. I wonder if it's feasible to cut a few inches off one.

The bed I would think you'd want to build a custom platform to help with storage. If your not physically capable of it I wonder if you could call a highschool. There might be a talented shop student that would come out for a Saturday and build a bed platform. Probably could get by giving $20 and a cheeseburger. Lol. Some schools even require a few hours of community service to graduate. They might be willing to count your project.

Another thing I did with my new build. Once it was just an empty shell I drew on the walls, and floors with chalk. That way I could kinda visualize where I wanted everything. It was a little cleanup afterwards but it let me play around with a bunch of ideas.

Good luck!

 

[Almost There]

I don't use memory foam either MC.

BUT, I do use a foam mattress. Memory foam is just one type of foam. What I use, because I like a really firm bed, is sofa foam. It comes in different grades and thicknesses so you can choose what you want and have it cut to size.

 

[mothercoder]

I don't use memory foam either MC.

BUT, I do use a foam mattress. Memory foam is just one type of foam. What I use, because I like a really firm bed, is sofa foam. It comes in different grades and thicknesses so you can choose what you want and have it cut to size.

Where can you get sofa foam and how pricey is it?  I could probably manage building a platform if the big box place will cut the pieces for me. My biggest problem is anything that requires raising my arms above my head. Bad wing don't go that high. Means I can't do the roller coaster thing, hang from monkey bars, that kinda thing.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

I know Lowe's will cut the pieces for you. I have them do it all the time.

 

[Almost There]

Any upholstery shop will be able to supply sofa foam. Or you can try a marine cushion shop as well if you live near the coast. There are also places that  specialize in foam and mattress sales.

It can all be cut with an electric carving knife or if you're doing it by  hand, use a serrated bread knife but most shops will cut to size for you.

Sofa foam is more dense and durable than bed foam but it's also a very firm cushion.

I switched to it after figuring out that I got a better nights sleep on the sofa that I had put new foam cushions on than I did on my foam bed mattress.

I just recently had to spend a few nights on a soft mattress where my heavy parts sank several inches further than my lighter parts.   ...my body told me about it every morning. I was so relieved to get back to my harder than nails mattress.

As to price, don't be afraid to shop around. Prices will depend very much on where you live and who you ask.

 

[Vern]

There are several custom mattress places. not sure of the cost. Here's one....

http://www.bedtimemattresscompany.com/Custom-Sizes.html

 

[mothercoder]

I found the software: Sketchup. But I'm not finding it particularly easy to use.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Dont feel bad...I cant figure out any of those online or free CAD drawing programs either. 

Gimme a sheet of graph paper, a sharp pencil, and a couple of straight edges and I can mockup anything. 

(or is it muck up?)

 

[John61CT]

> I found the software: Sketchup. But I'm not finding it particularly easy to use.

Lots of Sketchup howto sites, videos out there.

3D design just doesn't get easier.

Your handle implies you're a programmer?

 

[mothercoder]

> I found the software: Sketchup. But I'm not finding it particularly easy to use.

Lots of Sketchup howto sites, videos out there.

3D design just doesn't get easier.

Your handle implies you're a programmer?

More like a used to wannabe programmer. I've studied/learned some code but that doesn't always translate to being able to have a quick grasp of someone's software. I'm also spatially challenged. LOL You know those tests with the sugar cubes stacked in Picasso/Escher shapes and you have to guess how many sugar cubes there are? I get them wrong every time. And I'm not too motivated to watch the videos since I don't have exact dimensions and placement of windows, door and AC port. 

Anywho, I think I've decided I can make the 6x8 work. I will have to find foam I can sleep on and put the bed across the back. And either try to build the bed myself or pay a moonlighter to do a quick build for me. I can become comfortable with less space but I can never become comfortable with a smaller emergency fund.  

So with budget in mind, this trailer (pre-build) will be less than 1000 lbs. do I really need brakes towing it with a Chevy Suburban with factory installed tow package??

 

[Almost There]

I've towed my 6x10 cargo trailer all over North America including through the Cdn Rockies.

It's 20 years old now and I have never had electric brakes on it. I had them on my much bigger trailer and they were a vital necessity on it. it would have run me down without them!

I had the 6x10 fairly heavily loaded when I used it in the art/craft business and towed it with everything from my 35' Class A to my GMC Safari mini van.

I prefer to believe that every other driver on the road is a total idiot and drive with that in mind. I also drive for gas mileage and longevity of brake pads.

Learn your stopping distances, be extra careful on wet roads.

It also depends a lot on which trailer you buy. Mine is a Wells Cargo trailer and having towed other trailers on occasion and I wouldn't want to tow some of them 2 miles let alone all over the country.

IMO, it matters greatly what trailer you're towing, how it's loaded, how you drive and what the road conditions are. Not necessarily in that order.

 

[John61CT]

If you don't get brakes now, at least get hubs ready to fit them.

Check out etrailer.com You can see they're not much to buy after, maybe a bit more for labor.

Personally I would save up to get them up front unless staying on the flat