Coming Soon

Squidget Pop-Top Tiny Travel Trailer

General Overview At It’s Current Design State


The Squidget Pop-Top’s low-profile design is my answer to the question asked.numerous times by potential customers, “Can the Squidget be built or stored inside a garage?” While the answer could be “yes”, I think that if your need is build and/or store your tiny travel trailer (TTT) inside a garage or carport the modifications to do that would not result in a trailer that is as functional or as convenient as the Squidget PT.

It is my intention to build the Squidget PT, as I do not want to sell a set of plans that I haven’t used myself to build the trailer. After my PT is finished, and the plans are “proven”, I will finalize them and make them available for sale, which will probably be in mid- to late-Spring of 2011. However, you know what they say about good intentions. It could take longer to finalize the plans

This TTT has been designed from the start with the main criterion that it can be built inside, removed from, and returned to a garage for storage, something that is highly desireable if you live in a wet or snowy environment. I make that statement with some restrictions that are covered on the last page of this presentation. Constructing to the dimensions, and following my recommendations for axle choice and the height restrictions stated at the end of this presentation, you should also be able to raise the pop-top inside a garage, which is usually a few inches higher than 8’.

This accomplished by constructing a low profile cabin, just over six feet high from ground to the roof line, and having a 6” high top section that lifts up to provide a stand up area 74” high inside. Four wall panels beneath the top section are folded up to support the top and locked in place. Each panel can have a non-opening window of glass or acrylic material so one can see out in all directions while standing in the galley area.

This PT’s general design is very similar to the original Squidget regarding the profile and the interior layout, although I have made some improvements over the design of the original Squidget. I’ve expanded the galley cabinet to an “L” shape, which gives the user more countertop space for a cook top unit and a sink. A small closet is an option to consider, or as in my own PT, a floor to ceiling cabinet that houses an icebox that I chose to use rather than a refrigerator, which is much more expensive. An AC unit, if used, will be placed in a mount built into one side wall when in use and put on the floor for travel. The mount has a cover on the outside that locks down to keep water out.
The plans for the Squidget PT are not anymore difficult to follow and use than the plans for the original Squidget. However, the PT plans include diagrams and instructions for the construction of trailer cabins for three different chassis sizes. That was one limitation to the original Squidget plans, although the bolder could easliy, and many did, construct their cabin to fit a different sized chassis. The same is true for the PT. If you have a chassis of a size different from the three listed here, it is not difficult to alter your cabin dimensions to fit that chassis. I am including cabin designs in my plans for these chassis sizes 5 x 10’, 5’ x 8’ and 4’ x 8’, all sizes that can be purchased as utility trailers to use for your chassis.

Below, you will see the cabin design drawings for all three chassis sizes.

Squidget PT With Top Up For Camping


The profile of the Squidget PT is similar to the original Squidget.

Squidget PT With Top Down For Travel


With the raised top lowered for travel, the overall height is slightly less than 7’ to fit inside a garage for storage.

Squidget PT Interior Side View 1


Interior side view with couch for day use.

Squidget PT Interior Side View 2


Interior side view with bed platform extended for sleeping.

Squidget PT Interior Top View


Interior layout is very similar to the Squidget PT on a 10’ chassis. The low porta potty cabiner in the Squidget has been replaced by a 36” high cabinet and countertop.

Squidget PT On 8’ Long Chassis With Top Up For Camping


Squidget PT 8’ chassis with the raised top up for camping. The profile is similar to the 10’ chassis Squidget PT, but a slightly smaller galley area.

Squidget PT Jr. on 5’ x 8’ Chassis Interior Top View


The interior layout of the 5’ x 8’ chassis cabin is very similar to the Squidget PT on a 10’ chassis.

Squidget PT Jr. on 4’ x 8’ Chassis Interior Top View


With a narrower width, the galley cabinet in the cabin on a 4’ x 8’ chassis only runs from side to side. The small side galley cabinet can be added but will reduce floor space.

Rear Door Squidget PT Jr. on 4’ x 8’ Chassis


The optional rear door design for the PT Jr. allows for only a small side galley cabinet

Rear DoorSquidget PT Jr. on 4’ x 8’ Chassis, Top View


Fold up/down galley counter top extension gives more working counter top area during the day. It may not interfere with sleeping if it remains up at night.

Being able to move the PT in and out of a garage is based on a standard garage door that has a floor-to-sill clearance of 84”. My PT chassis uses 13” wheels with standard ST175/80D-13” trailer tires and a torsion axle. The torsion axle or a drop spring axle is almost a must have to achieve the low height needed to move under the 84” garage door sill. A straight spring axles raises the ground clearance several inches higher than for a torsion or drop spring axle.

Building this TTT to fit inside a garage is a matter of compromises on the components that make up the overall height of the trailer. If any one of these height components is increased, the amount of the increase must be deducted from one or more other components. For example, if the ground clearance is increased from 12” to 15”, then 3” has to be deducted from the interior ceiling height, or, the 3” low profile vent must be left off of the top (but it could be placed on the lower roof area).

In the chart below, depicting the heights of those components, the measurements include a 3” high chassis rail (2” x 3” tubular). My torsion axle with 10 degrees down on the swing arm will probably give me only 11” of ground clearance, which reduces the overall height by another inch.

Squidget PT Height Restriction Criteria
Pop Top Down:
Ground Clearance------------12”
Chassis Rail Height-----------3”
Floor with floor covering-----1”
Interior Ceiling Height-----56”
Roof Thickness w/Paneling---2”
Pop Top Height---------------6”
Low Profile Vent-------------3”
------------------------------------
Total Overall Height--------83”
Pop Top up:
Ground Clearance------------12”
Chassis Rail Height-----------3”
Floor with floor covering-----1”
Interior Raised Top Height-74”
Top Thickness w/Paneling----2”
Low Profile Vent-------------3”

-------------------------------------
Total Overall Height--------95”

The plans for the PT will probably be sold as download only for the same price as the download of the original Squidget plans. If you wish to be put on my mailing list to be notified when the plans for the Pop-Top designs are available for sale, email me at squidget2005@yahoo.com.