Greetings!

[Varmint]

Well, now....I just realized I've never introduced myself here at all. Not the best way to start, but I've made bigger mistakes.

I'm semi-retired, with very limited funds, and I've been staying with my father since my divorce. That's another tired story in itself, maybe for a later time. I once spent the better part of a year in the bush camping out of my car (84 Chevette) and a three-man tent. This was back in the late 80's before my last marriage. My last wife actually spent a great deal of that time with me back then, and I've often wondered if leaving that lifestyle had anything to do with the eventual demise of that relationship. I've been single for the past five years and will likely stay that way, as I can't seem to get interested in any women these days....not worth the trouble?

I like making things myself, and prefer my own designs rather than something someone else wants to sell me, whenever possible. Right now I'm gathering the materials I need to make my own trailer, similar to a certain website owner's well-known cargo trailer, but with my own variations, of course. I'm looking at 5-6' wide in front, to about 6-7' wide in the rear half, storage access from rear, with driver-side door near the front to the main area. The length of the main area will be 10-12'. I'll have a triangular storage area over the hitch in front for my tanks, and likely my batteries. I plan to skin this with aluminum, if possible, although that may change in the future depending on price and availability.

I've had some other designs I'd like to try out, such as bicycle trailers, luggage racks, and pannier bags for them, but these things will have to wait for now. Always plan to plow one field at a time, but always have a plan somewhere in the back of your mind. That tends to keep me from going loopy here.

That's about it for me. I think the rest of my relevant info is already somewhere else on this site. Enjoy....

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Hi Varmint and welcome,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Though you've probably been here longer than me. That saounds like a great project you've got going. There was a company down under who started to produce a camping fold out bicycle trailer but I don't know what happened to them, looked like a good robust design.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Welcome again and all the best mate.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[CrossCountryGal]

Welcome Varmit and keep us in the loop on your build! &nbsp;We love pics!

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Hi Varmint,<br><br>Welcome to the group.&nbsp; I agree with you that there are a lot of advantages to making your own design.&nbsp; The biggest plus (in my opinion) is that it is YOUR handiwork.&nbsp; I've had relatives criticize my van dwelling aspirations and even the way I built out my van but if you build it your way it is truly HOME.&nbsp; How many people can say "I built my home the way I wanted it."&nbsp; Few...<br><br>It will be fun to read your posts in the coming days.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></p><p>Brad, the "Van Trekker"&nbsp; (or just V.T.)</p>

 

[bk2valve]

Welcome from NewMexico Varmint...glad to have you in the pack...<br>Bri

 

[Seraphim]

Welcome to the group. A lot of good support and ideas from people here.&nbsp; We also love photos, so when you start your project, show us how its going.

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[cleanheart]

Welcome! Glad you're here. You sound creative, so many here are!

 

[Varmint]

rokguy wrote, in relevant part:
"There was a company down under who started to produce a camping fold out bicycle trailer...."

My guess is that they won't survive. I don't believe there is sufficient market for such a device, due in part to the tendency for us potential customers to "do our own thing" rather than use what someone else wants to design for us. It's a niche market, and such a device would make a nice "per order" item, but not enough to build a complete business on, unless it also happens to be one of many such items.

I designed such a trailer myself while fiddling with my car trailer design, but I'm not likely to implement it. I've decided to either use my Burly D'Lite trailer, or a longer home-built design to carry a Tent Cot. I still have my old tunnel tent and tent hammock, either of which take so little space as to be un-noticed in a trailer. I might even toss in my backpack just for good measure as a last-ditch "go-bag", since I keep one handy anyway.

By the way, folks:
If you design or write something, put it on paper, and mail a copy to yourself. Don't EVER open it....just keep it safe. That way, the post mark will serve as a valid piece of evidence attesting to when you created it, while the contents, to be opened in court only, will serve as evidence of your creation. I believe this is called a "Poor Man's Copywrite or patent". While this is not an actual copywrite or patent, it is evidence that you created something and when you did so, and can serve to bolster your legitimate claim to your own work. Never know when you might want to actually make money off your own ideas, and nothing is more pathetic that some sleaze trying to extort you over your own ideas.

Just a thought.