Lil Bigfoot 13' renovation without kitchen

[Chelene in BC]

G'day. We have a 1989 Lil Bigfoot 13' that has been gutted in order to repair the sagging floor. We are looking at new layouts - most importantly without the sink, stove, or fridge unit. We never cook in our unit, always thinking it is just the place to be off the ground, dry, and warm (we've done tenting & tent trailering). Now our bones need more creature comfort without needing the usual trailer kitchen amenities.

We want to keep a well lit 2-person sitting area that can still convert to a narrow bed for a grandchild sleepover. As well, we need a versatile bed arrangement that is wide enough (or long enough) for 2 of us to sleep comfortably. We are thinking of a bed with a pull-out section that will let us sleep with our heads oriented parallel to trailer sides

Do you have some suggestions for clever arrangements that still give easy access to clothing & miscellaneous storage?

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Jon in AZ]

How about something like this?


Gridlines are at 1'. I estimated the cabin at 10'x6.5', same as our Scamp. The bed extension slides under the gaucho during the day for a wide open floorplan. The closet by the door and the tall cabinet opposite are full height to support the roof.

With a large storage cabinet toward the back you'll have to build light and watch weight distribution when you pack.

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Chelene in BC

G'day. We have a 1989 Lil Bigfoot 13' that has been gutted in order to repair the sagging floor. We are looking at new layouts - most importantly without the sink, stove, or fridge unit. We never cook in our unit, always thinking it is just the place to be off the ground, dry, and warm (we've done tenting & tent trailering). Now our bones need more creature comfort without needing the usual trailer kitchen amenities.

We want to keep a well lit 2-person sitting area that can still convert to a narrow bed for a grandchild sleepover. As well, we need a versatile bed arrangement that is wide enough (or long enough) for 2 of us to sleep comfortably. We are thinking of a bed with a pull-out section that will let us sleep with our heads oriented parallel to trailer sides

Do you have some suggestions for clever arrangements that still give easy access to clothing & miscellaneous storage?

Thanks for your suggestions.

I suggest you get out scissors and some cardboard and start by making a simple model of the space to play with. It is much easier for the average person to see what works when you create a scale model. Be sure you work in a scale where you can also create models of yourself taking into account your body sizes, height, width, etc. Remember grandchildren grow quickly, they won't stay little for very many years.


build your basic trailer shape with cutouts for the door and windows, you have to design your space plan around those fixed features of the trailer.


Now start with the two essential interior fittings shapes, the bed for adults and the bed for the child. Don't worry about turning them into a dinette shape or creating a removable section for the adults. What is the most critical is the minimum size the beds can be for your personal comfort.


Once you have the beds set into your model then you can start designing what goes into the leftover areas. That is when you decide how you can make a removable section for the adult bed. Remember you have to do something with that removable section when it is not in use. There won't be a lot of options for what you can do with a 13' trailer as it is such as small space. However fewer choices make for quicker decisions.


Don't forget, young children often need to use the toilet in the middle of the night.

[ShelbyM]

IMO the on board toilet is one of the most appreciated amenities. I have no enthusiasm for roaming around in the middle of the night.

[Kai in Seattle]

We redid Peanut with a minimal galley (counter with microwave underneath) no sink, no built-in stove, no fridge. We got a 110/12V ice chest/cooler last spring and we slide it under one of the 2 beds plugged into 110 or have it in the car (12V) when travelling. We have a good porta-potti system that tucks out of the way, too. No roaming campgrounds at night for me.

We have a 28" wide,74" long bed up front on the side away from the door, and a 32" x 77" bed across the back. Both are used as is as daybeds as well, no gaucho. we have two permanent seats over the rear pontoons and a small but ample folding table that tucks out of the way. We do nuke inside, but we do any frying, grilling, etc. outside.

We sometimes wash dishes, but minimally.

I so hear you about what's most important. We, too, built Peanut's inside around the "two bedroom unit" concept. We use metal rods near the ceiling to hold privacy curtains made out of beach towels, as we have very different sleeping patterns.


Good luck to you. I agree with making both floor plans and a model if you're up to it. You can learn a lot from a 3-D mock-up. Don't forget the uprights that go to the ceiling to keep your roof from sagging. Where they once were is probably the best engineering place for them, but a few inches either way would likely be all right.


Good luck with your renovation!


It'll be entirely yours when finished...you'll know what is where and why.


Kathleen

"K"

[Chelene in BC]

Wow! Thank you all for your input. You all are very quick to respond and with interesting thoughts. There is lots to think about - and not lots of space in this lil bigfoot.

I appreciate the layout ideas and will incorporate the porta-pottie as suggested. At 70, I guess we need the convenience of a nearer-by toilet than the campground washroom. Will be sure to get accurate measurements from our son "the renovator" before committing to a final plan.

Kind regards
Chelene

[k corbin]

All trailers are not built the same way. Looking at the original layout of the 13 foot Bigfoot trailers it does not appear to need a tall closet for supporting the ceiling. There is not any tall cabinetry on the wall side opposite the door, the side with the kitchen area. The trailer has upper cabinets which are also unsupported by lower cabinets. At the doorway the shell doorway has a built in turn back towards the interior flange molded into it. That flange is stiffening the shell and is providing extra support to the wall at that opening. It looks to be a well thought out structure that is self supporting without adding tall cabinets to the interior. But to confirm that once it is gutted just do some eay, practical testing of the roof to see if it wants to sag under a moderate load placed on it.

But jumping to conclusions on what the strength of a brand of fiberglass trailer will be by comparing it to a totally differ trailer brand that was not built to the same design could limit the design layout unessairly such as putting in tall cabinets when they are not structurally required.

[Jon in AZ]

That's a good point KC and had crossed my mind. Every Lil Bigfoot I've seen does have the same door-side closet most 13'ers have; whether it's needed or not is unclear. I think Armadillo is using the molds now, and they do not have a full-height door closet.

Another unique feature of most Lil Bigfoots I've seen is a large street side window. That could interfere with a tall cabinet on that side.

Tall cabinets do have an advantage in adding storage that is easily accessible when beds are made up.

[Kenny Strong]

Hi We have a 93 13' "Lil " BigFoot. Sad to hear you are not using the original format. We get complements about how wonderful it is. We have been in high wind for hrs. Rain for days. Snow, on the canopy ( with no damage,well supported across center side to front edge. Just pushed it off the side. very wet and heavy.very well roped and staked. set up for days. ( RE. others interest in canopy use.) us the stove inside. vented by exhaust over stove. ( eliminates Carbon Monoxide.) would you add a vent to cook inside,with a Colman. ( closed area needs venting ) Or cook out side running in and out. My sister uses her Refer space for storage in her 72 Bolar. I have turned the closet into a pantry. We hang some things on a hanging rack in a front curve of egg shell, . other items in top cabinets. or under bed and in front under seat. (bunk bed conversion ) The 4runner has a clothes rack across the rear seat side to side. use a box for other items. Fridge is nice. but an outside cooler would work. Lockable. We back packed for 40 plus years, rain, snow, wind. ( bears, Yellowstone, Canada, Glacier,Minnesota, Alaska, others Etc.) feel safer in the Egg. Cook outside with the bears walking thru camp ? wind so heard you don't want to go outside. We love to go outside to cook and sit and drink the breakfast coffee. All do not camp out the same !