New Caravan Design

[tj_4]

No electrical connection, self sufficient, with maybe a small generator built in. Leveling system so the body can be levelled while the chassis stays firm to the ground. (no jacks or wedges)

Bulk gas connection so we can use autogas. Full winterisation.

Steve

 

[tj_4]

And of course everything we have already got.

a power shower

Steve

 

[trucker]

At home I sit in an arm chair!!, prahaps this could be a design feture fixed bed 2 birth with 2 arm chairs instead of 2 benches

Kevin H

 

[robbie426]

At home I sit in an arm chair!!, prahaps this could be a design feture fixed bed 2 birth with 2 arm chairs instead of 2 benches

Kevin H

Thanks everyone, this is really useful, i am going to be focussing on a design for an expandable caravan. One where you can literally press a button and the caravan sort of "folds out" and becomes almost twice as big using solid materials and not awning material. I am wondering if anyone would be willing to give me feedback on any designs i have came up with once i have drawn them up?It won't be for a couple of weeks yet but i feel that feedback from regular users would be very useful for my progress. I will also be looking to incorporate the ideas that have been put across here.

Cheers, Craig

 

[robbie426]

Thanks everyone, this is really useful, i am going to be focussing on a design for an expandable caravan. One where you can literally press a button and the caravan sort of "folds out" and becomes almost twice as big using solid materials and not awning material. I am wondering if anyone would be willing to give me feedback on any designs i have came up with once i have drawn them up?It won't be for a couple of weeks yet but i feel that feedback from regular users would be very useful for my progress. I will also be looking to incorporate the ideas that have been put across here.

Cheers, Craig

 

[ProfJohnL]

Popup Juhn

Yes but I do not like that one wonder if they are going to come up with so different ones.

Mark

John L

I ham surprised that GRP construction is heave.

I used to work in a GRP shop that made things for curtain side trailer such as air flows and front panels and side skirts. A lot of thing that we made were big but they seemed to be light in wait and GRP is used in a lot of sports cars.

I only work in this shop for a year so I do not now a lot a bout it but as you can see it puzzled me how you can say it heavier in construction.

Mark

Hello Mark,

GRP has the potential to be lighter where the structure is not stressed. As soon as other items of significant weight have to be attched (wardrobes beds etc)the additional strength either requires addition thickness or butressing. GRP panels in the motor trade have traditionally been applied to a space frame or chssis.

In the marine industry, GRP hull are frequently heavier than thier prior wooden equeivalents, but the other advantages of GRP (smoother surface, less water ingress points, and the flexibility of design to mould detailed features) can overcome the weight disadvantage.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Craig

I wish you luck in your project. For too many years it seems the caravan industry has failed to take full advantage of new technologies in both design and production. From the feedback you have already received, it is easy to get the impression that the current ranges of caravans are designed by people in ivory towers with little knowledge or contact with real users.

I hope that your project also encourages you to look a the history of caravanning, and to gain an appreciation of the fators that have affected design and implementation over the years.

I lookforward to any new ideas that arise from your project.

 

[chrisn7]

The one thing that i think would revolutionise the caravan is if some one were to come up with a fixed bed which could be folded /hinged, into the wall ,thus giving space during the day and folding down when needed at bed time . bedding could be designed to stay put during the folding up and down process.

Most fixed beds today are hinged to give acces to storage under the bed and to the water heater .the storage is not very practical and the water heater could be sited in the space aprox 400mmx500mm which would be formed at the bed head .

As part of your designe project,just think about it ,visit some caravan showrooms and look at the fixed beds ,then think with a bit of clever designe that bed could be hinged up and store aganst the back wall giving aprox 1.500mm x 1.100 daytime space . Good luck in your project Coljac

I agree entirely this having considered exacatly this solution. Hopefully it would be possible to do away with the ridiculous cut away mattress as well. Do wives get lumbered with the small half of the mattress-why should they? Perhaps just part of bed could sit against the wall, leaving the other half to form sofa type seating?

 

[chrisn7]

Hi Craig

As you can see the users (as opposed to designers!)are full of ideas. Weight was touched on when GRP was mentioned, but if you are not too familiar with caravanning, it is a much discussed subject. Where the van requires a substantial towcar, further issues over running costs, fuel costs and excise duty come into play and are unlikely to diminish. Anything new would be interesting as long as it doesn't leak and and we can actually pull it!