Shasta: Revising the Floor Plan

How much to change the original layout is a common discussion  around here. If it makes you happy, change things around. 

The issue is support. The cabinets as they were originally installed actually hold the camper together. So keep that in mind as the alterations take shape.

Obviously some original design elements have to be preserved to keep the camper safe. Ceiling has to firmly connect to walls, walls firmly connected to the floor, floor bolted to the frame, cabinets offering support, skin overlaps everything.

Beyond that, have fun.

The last trailer I had, the previous owner had removed the side closet. It caused the frame to twist over times the trailer was going down the highway. The whole front right side of the trailer became separated from the frame and you could see the road though the break. It took a big teardown of that side of the trailer to repair it. So it is super important to be careful about taking a closet out.

If the new partition is floor to ceiling that will give you additional support. With the partition, changing the bedding will not be fun back there. You want to keep most of the weight in front of the axle to minimize sway while towing, especially with a small trailer. I'd move the water storage forward.

I cannot say that the original layout is a flawed design. I am only referring to generally accepted practices.

You do not want to remove that cabinet. The full bed idea is fine but leave that big floor to ceiling cabinet in. It is a major structural member.

It's all in the engineers design and they only did what was needed and no more. Many trailers do have floor to ceiling cabinets on both sides. But again I'm not the one who designed these trailers. I'm not an engineer. I just know that what they did worked. That's all I can tell you. Most trailers have the floor to ceiling cabinets on one side only. Seems that with the rest of the stuff that is enough. It's a uni-body design that has worked for almost 100 years.

I don't know if she has to forego the new plan and omit the support from the original design. she can have both!

i see 2 dark lines on the the proposed new plan. one between the double bed and the seating and the other dark line on the curb side between the bed and  the kitchen cabinets. I think those dark lines could be used as gussets creating an alcove to the bed. for racking (or lateral support) it doesn't have to be a wide support (like a cabinet) it just needs to go floor to ceiling and be stiff. 

due to my lack of skill of adding pictures and laziness, i did a quick search of a random alcove design that might give you an idea of what i'm talking about: www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=121632

do you see the cabinets on both sides of the bed. pretend those are only lets say 1.5" thick and then it extends to ceiling and wraps to the other side. now if those dark lines are on your drawing are 1.5" wide walls that go to your ceiling and wrap to the other side, that would make for rigid lateral support like a rip cage and look good. many designs or cutouts at the near top could make for a dramatic design opportunity. (this design would actually be stronger than the original).

hope this idea wasn't confusing.