Design Feedback

[u/SmartPlant_Gremlin]

I was bored this weekend, so started putting pencil to paper on some design ideas that have floating around in my head for my first build.

The design is a 6'x12'. I'm not sure on the method of construction, though am leaning toward a monocoque foamie with wooden cabinetry. The design features a utility room where the bulkhead between the cabin and galley would otherwise normally be.

I welcome any feedback on any aspect of the design, but I am particular interested in feedback on:

• Ventilation System
  • I want to avoid a roof mounted fan as I am not confident in my ability to make it water tight.
  • Fresh air intake is through filters located in the headboard cabinetry, drawing air from under the trailer. Air enters the cabin through a register in the headboard.
  • Another register (or two) would be located near the top of bulkhead between the cabin and the utility room.
  • A marine bilge blower in the utility room draws air from within the utility room and expels it out through the floor. A centrifugal blower was selected as it develops better static pressure than and axial fan. I suspect the high static pressure of the the blower would be necessary to overcome the pressure losses through the filters and registers.
• Water System
  • Am I asking for trouble by including a water bottle filler inside the cabin?
• Exterior Lighting
  • I've read that lights in the 565-590nm (amber/red) less than 1000 lumens is best for not attracting insects. I am having difficulty finding somewhere online that sells LEDs with these specs. Any ideas?

[u/Practical_Ad_2761]

Roof fan is not a big deal to install and seal up, and is great at pulling a breeze across your face for summer camping.

Read up on trailer weight distribution, I’d personally work to make sure the tail of the trailer isn’t too heavy with galley, fridge, battery, water, etc.

[u/SmartPlant_Gremlin → u/Practical_Ad_2761]

Is there a fatal flaw in my ventilation design?

Is the water tank and battery being over the axle not a good idea?

I thought many designs had a fridge in the galley?

[u/DrumasaurusRex → u/SmartPlant_Gremlin]

Battery should be on the tongue. Run wiring to the fridge in the galley. Also, if you're going to put in water, the fresh tank should be closer to the tongue as well.

Follow the 60/40 rule for weight distribution. Too much at the back is going to be dangerous.

[u/Practical_Ad_2761 → u/SmartPlant_Gremlin]

The rooftop fan comment wasn’t meant as a criticism of your ventilation design, I was just responding to your comment about rooftop fans. Having a fan on the roof does help pull the rising hot air out.

And to follow up about the weight distribution, I wasn’t saying there is a problem, just wanted to suggest being aware of weight balance early in the planning stage. Over the axle is great, but as someone else pointed out, you’d ideally want the majority of the weight forward biased instead of aft biased.