Quote:
Originally Posted by BrucePerens
[The TM design] is so due for an update that I question the value. The update I have been thinking of:
Uses an aluminum I-beam frame with fiberglass-foam panels between the frame members and bolted joins rather than welds.
Corners are angles rather than I-beams.
Easy to replace panels and beams.
Roof elements like solar panels bolt to beams, rather than panels.
Wiring is sandwiched between panel edges and beams.
Lift arms pivot at a journal bearing below the shell edge rather than using pockets, and provide better horizontal stability. Similarly the lift arm is supported by a split journal bearing at the end of the torsion rod.
Peak in roof enforced at beam join down roof center rather than being a curve of a foam panel.
Internal aluminum chassis, not box-on-a-trailer.
Lower 1 foot (inside diameter) below floor (fully enclosed) dedicated to infrastructure and storage, floor above that.
External steps set into below-floor area rather than hanging from bottom of trailer. One or two internal steps built in at door.
Shells overlap the below-floor area when closed.
AC, tanks, batteries, heaters, wheel wells, plumbing, spare tire, wiring, gas piping, converter, solar controller, torsion bars, water fills and valves all in below-floor area and fully enclosed except for necessary ports to outside.
Below-floor area is insulated using foam panels and keeps plumbing above freezing for 4-season use.
Actual bottom of the trailer is flat and featureless.
Solar panels are most heavy thing on roof. No AC on roof.
Ledge at bottom of below-floor area for shells to rest upon when closed, protects them from road dirt and provides structural support along the entire area of the lower shell edge.
Probe and drogue latch system for shells with cable release. One lever to release shells.
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Now to cut costs and simplify adding a few things on here and some changes:
Yes to the enclosed structure below to replace a heavy metal frame using aluminum alloys for big weight reduction.
Yes to aluminum framing all out and even on the roof but incorporate them within the SIP styled panels you'd change to using for all panels for floors walls and roof for strength and tie points but keep the completely glued foam within as that adds massive strength with very little weight.
Yes to putting some kind of easily replaceable air system based in the bottom structure that is the flexiframe(invented new word for Bruce).
Square edges get rid of all the front and back rounded and bulges and make it much easier to attach to each other and easier to work on after assembled.
Having the shells on a ledge like was suggested also could lead way to electric rams to actuate the shells raising and lowering and completely contained in the lower bulkhead.
Much lighter and about the same size basically and way more modern.
Glamping versions with no trifuel options just AC appliances and 12volt lighting.
This original was 9 yrs ago and now you have even better construction options available to consider.
Aluminum isn't lower costing but the changes I give would make it much faster to assemble and labor is very much a factor in costs these days.
Torsion bar axles instead of thru axle would lower the weight as well and the lighter you make it the higher your gross weights can go.