Description
Lightweight 2 berth folding bike caravan
If it's going to work in the real world, a bicycle caravan needs to be small enough to stow and be transported easily and yet big enough for real comfort. Yet it mustn't be too big or you won't be able to get anywhere with it. It would also be nice if it was cheap to build, was aerodynamic and light so it was easy to tow. And wouldn't it be great if you could fit in a sailing dinghy and take that camping as well. Well you may not believe this but the Foldavan does all this and more.
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Much will depend on your skills and workspace but expect about 50 hours to build. What takes the most time is the varnishing or painting, the actual structure is pretty quick to build.
Q: How much will a Foldavan cost to build?
It is impossible to say. There are so many variables but it could be possible to build a Foldavan for almost nothing if you use reclaimed timber and found parts or you can spend a fortune and buy everything in.
Q: Do you sell a Foldavan kit?
Sorry no, the Foldavan is only available in plan form. But don't let this stop you! All you need is a jigsaw, a plane and a few other tools and you can soon build one. It's great fun.
Q: Isn't the skin easily damaged?
Woodenwidget recommend a reinforced PVC cloth for the Foldavan as it is waterproof, non stretchy and very tough. Looked after PVC has a very long life span. It is very unlikely that during normal use you would damage it. And even if you did it is easily repaired. Of course if you are worried about the skin being damaged you can use a heavier cloth but naturally this will make the Foldavan heavier. The design allows for the use of almost any non sretchy fabric.
Q: What is the Foldavan's carrying capacity?
The Foldavan can obviously serve as a covered trailer and has been tested by carrying 75 kilos in addition to the weight of the Foldavan.
Q: How long does it take to assemble?
There are three modes and it takes a few minutes to pass from mode to mode. So if you were in 'Road' mode and arrived at the camp site it would take you less than 5 minutes to set up and that includes fitting the headlining and mattresses etc.
Q: What happens if it's windy when I am towing?
You have two options. You can unzip the side panels so the wind blows right through or you can extend the Foldavan to Camping mode which will make it much more stable but the added wind resistance will make towing it harder.
Q: How much does the Foldavan weigh?
The Foldavan weighs from just 30 kilos including wheels and tow arm. In order to achieve this low weight it uses some special parts like carbon fibre tubes and quick release alloy wheels. The use of other materials may increase the weight.
Q: I don't have any experience, can I still build a Foldavan?
You do not need to have any special experience, you only need very basic woodworking skills, and a few tools such as a jigsaw and a plane to build the wooden structure but you may need help making the wheel and tow arm attachment. All this is covered in the plans and many alternatives are suggested.
Q: Where can I get the materials?
The Foldavan is a simple design that uses few materials in its construction. Most of the materials should be easy to find wherever you are and in varying quality to suit your budget. The plans include many links to help you find what you need.
Q: What are the Foldavan's dimensions in 'Stow' mode?
2400 mm (7'10") long. 1250 mm (4'1") high 210 mm (8 1/4") wide (wheels off)
Q: What are the Foldavan's dimensions in 'Road' mode?
2400 mm (7'10") long. 1500 mm (4'11") high 750 mm (2' 5") wide (wheels on)
Q: What are the Foldavan's dimensions in 'Camping' mode?
2400 mm (7'10") long. 1500 mm (4'11") high 1150 mm (3' 9") wide (wheels on)
Q: Tell me more about the plans
The metric plans have about 100 pages and photos and even bonus sections full of useful information. The plans come as a PDF file and are about 8 mb in size. The Plans can be downloaded immediately from this site via PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account, and you can pay with your credit card. Upon completion of your payment you will be given an option to either save or open the plans. Save the plans to your hard drive. You will receive an email confirmation.
Specifications
- Dimensions when in 'Stow' mode (wheels off]
- 2400 mm (?'10") long. 1250 mm (4'1") high 210 mm (8 1/4") wide
- Dimensions when in 'Stow' mode (wheels on)
- 2400 mm (?'10") long. 1500 mm (4'11") high 360 mm (1' 2") wide
- Dimensions when in 'Road' mode (wheels off]
- 2400 mm (?'10") long. 1250 mm (4'1") high 600 mm (1' 11") wide
- Dimensions when in 'Road' mode (wheels on)
- 2400 mm (?'10") long. 1500 mm (4'11") high ?50 mm (2' 5") wide
- Dimensions in 'Camping' mode (wheels off)
- 2400 mm (?'10") long. 1250 mm (4'1") high 1000 mm (3' 3") wide
- Dimensions in 'Camping' mode (wheels on)
- 2400 mm (?'10") long. 1500 mm (4'11") high 1150 mm (3' Q") wide
- Weight:
- From 30 kilos depending on spec.
- Safe maximum payload when used as a trailer:
- 75 kilos (165 lbs)
- Maximum payload when in Camping mode
- 200 kilos (440 lbs)
Additional Information
Measurements: |
Metric |
Designer Name: |
Benjy |
Unit of Measure: |
Metric |
Instruction Manual: |
Step-by-Step Instructions |
Lofting Required: |
No |
Recommended Experience Level: |
Beginner |
Designer's Thoughts on Experience Level: |
Nothing too challenging here |
Boat Type: |
Not a boat |