Vardo Plans: Reading Caravan

Sunday, October 19, 2014Thursday, June 4, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ 6 Comments

Many considerations concerning floor plans and general layout have come my way over the years. I am compiling as many as possible to post here. To start things off, here is the iconic Reading Waggon by Dunton’s (note: two “g’s” in the older British spelling).

This design is truly the classic. When one sees this, it cries of the open road and Gypsy Wagons. It is Henry David Thoreau’s Walden cabin on wheels. The wide rear axle and narrow front carriage was the best of compromise for agility, weight, and worthiness on and off road. This design is worth a potential builder scrutinizing in detail for it’s perfection of design. A mollycroft roof, high clearance, well-proportioned windows, and solid design make this ideal for the rolling home.

On the downside, kite walls (out-sloping) add some difficulty when working on interior shelves and cabinets. Also, as noted for over a hundred years, the mollycroft can weaken the roof and ultimately increase the chance of leaks. A small price to pay maybe but something to keep in consideration.

The classic caravan at this period included a full chest of drawers and a fairly large stove, limiting seating to a largish space on the stove side and a small dressing seat next to the dresser. Although we read of dozens of children being born and raise in this design, the real layout seems to be based on the couple. Kids will make due.

All images above are taken from The English Gypsy Caravan, currently out of print.

On the Long Road

Saturday, October 18, 2014Tuesday, June 16, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

A great historic image of the long road ahead to start your weekend off right.

It’s always a good time to hit the road.

Mrs. Coucer Green and Other Great Old Photos

Friday, October 17, 2014Thursday, June 4, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

Three great and rare books have come to me in the very recent past. Each has it’s own merits and is full of great stuff. I am scanning, reading, and summing up some excellent stuff and will get it out as soon as I can. In the mean time, enjoy these great photos ca. 1911-1914 the Golden Age of Caravanning.

More and better details on the way, including plans and historic photos that have lots to show us about design.

Eclipse on the Vardo

Tuesday, October 7, 2014Thursday, June 4, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

Getting ready for the eclipse tomorrow? MAKEzine has again linked to our little Vardo. We were fortunate to get a really neat lighting effect during the 2012 eclipse playing over our camp.

Light coming through the trees created a pinhole effect focusing the eclipse in dozens of images as we were packing to leave.

se2014oct23p — Click the image for more information.

As we slide around the sun for yet another year we can experience a little science and scale and think about our place in the solar system. If you are interested in learning more, check out NASA’s Eclipse Page by clicking the banner below:

…and HEY KIDS, don’t look directly into the sun. You Makers can get out the welding goggles (with a rating of 15 or higher) and have a look.

Further Evolution of the Little Vardo

Monday, September 22, 2014Thursday, June 4, 2015 ~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

We just put another couple thousand miles on the Little Green Vardo. It’s always an adventure when you are pulling something like this around the country and it makes for some interesting conversations.

Most of the people we meet are great but the comments are sometimes a little difficult. Of course, the number one question from most people is “what does it weigh?” Not that the numbers mean much to them but it just sounds like something to ask. Another favorite is “does it leak a lot?” I guess this is a reasonable question for someone. If my house leaked, I hope I would remedy it pretty quickly.

snail2 — What we look like going down the road.

It’s great to get all the smiles, nods, and waves from other travelers. It must say something that out of the thousands of vehicles you might see on a trip, only a few evoke any real response. It’s hard to get gas or take a break without having a real conversation about it with someone. While getting coffee in a small Colorado town a watched a woman burst out of an office door across the road and sprint across a busy four-lane road just to have a peak. It was flattering when she said “I know you from the Internet! I’m a huge fan of tiny homes and little campers!”

Another fun interaction happen in Monticello, Utah when an elderly man came running out from a house to talk about Sheep Wagons. His wife grew up in one and wanted to have her own after they retired. As this was a tall order, he built her this beautiful scale model sheep camp complete with tiny dutch oven, pans, tools, a broom, and even a tiny fried egg.

Maybe, not too long from now, I’ll be able to take to the road for a longer adventure.

Coming home to Purgatory, New Mexico with a list of improvements and a slew of minor changes to the Vardo. I can’t wait for the cooler weather to make this happen.

A Vardo Build Recap

Friday, March 21, 2014Sunday, November 25, 2018 ~ George Crawford ~ 4 Comments

DSC_0253 copy — Conception. After years of doodles and illustration, mock-up a few models and decide what works best.

This post is a re-cap of the Vardo build. I get questions about this project at least three times per week and I think it has inspired a few other people to make the leap. I still consider it a work in progress even though it is four years old and has 18,000 miles under it. New and improved ideas are being added right now but maybe this will help somebody get started.

After the sketch-up, start making parts. This was a momentous occasion for me.

Assembly begins. Mild panic sets in; “will this work?” and “am I crazy to dive into this?”

At this point, I took some time to ponder. “Is the size and layout really going to work?”

Attaching the ledge to the prepared frame.

Build, build, build. Using a window of good weather in January.

Even relatively easy details, like door placement and size, were still up for change.

Finally, I can get a real sense of scale.

I fell in love with the design once the box was built.

Working alone means lots of clamps.

Gawkers were willing to take pictures.

The bed framing becomes integral to the structure.

Seats were designed and tested for size and functionality.

The first storage is done.

Wood is good!

The shell becomes complete.

Now for the details.

Temporary window inserted for a quick trip to the desert.

Quick coat of paint and off we went.

A little living helped bring together the details.

Spending time in the space gives an idea of where things are needed.

Finish work is a process, not an event.

The Vardo becomes a home.

A safe and cozy nest on the road.

Still far from done, I took her cross-country anyway.

Things began to come together after a few thousand miles travel.

Finishing touches are added constantly.

As are safety details.

Still making changes and additions four years down the road.

More big changes are happening and I hope to get up some new information very soon. I think an important fact that this project showed was that, for a relatively low-budget, and a little patience, a little home can be built over time but still be usable along the way. I didn’t wait for every last detail to be completed before putting this house to good use or I’d still be waiting today.