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The Shamrock trailer |
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About the middle of 2000, we started looking for the smallest, lightest, fully self-contained travel trailer we could find. In December of that year we purchased a 16 foot Shamrock built by Forest River. The Toyota (4 cyl) will tow it, but it's a bit of a struggle. The Ford (8 cyl) does a much better job. We added a Jeep Cherokee (6 cyl) to our collection, as a �mid-range� tow vehicle late in 2002.
A quick thought while on the subject of smaller trailers. I firmly believe that the designer of any new recreational vehicle should be obliged to live in a prototype/mock-up of his creation for two weeks - in wet weather - with children - - teenagers if possible. I know that this procedure would lead to more livable RV�s!
The change in photo quality? I had been scanning slides and prints taken with a 35mm SLR - not the best results. Finally broke down and bought a digital camera. It does seem to make a difference. |
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At the Mayflower Riverside County Park - on the Colorado River. One of only two campgrounds that we know of that have grass to park on. Sitting in site A-9; just a day-use picnic area between us and the river
This trailer came with all the 'extras'. We removed the microwave oven and the air conditioner, and added two 48W PV panels flat on the roof. The 'frig is A/C or propane. With a 20 gallon water tank, and large holding tanks, we can 'dry-camp' whenever we want to.
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The front of the trailer hinges down to form a queen size double bed. More than large enough for the two of us. It�s possible for one person to set up the �tent� portion, but it is easier with two. The three sided ventilation is a blessing in warmer weather. The front fly-screen is also zippered - to serve as a "Fire Exit".
In really bad weather, cold - windy - wet (or all three at once), the �bedroom� doesn�t have to be deployed; the dinette forms into a bed - also enough space for us. |
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The photo at the left was taken from down by the water. This campground spreads along the water frontage, with a boat launch ramp at it�s northern end. Flush toilets and one faucet for water. We suggest that drinking water be purchased in Blythe - there are dispensing machines all over the place. The camping is free; the stay limit is three nights.
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Taken at the Imperial County campground at Palo Verde, about 20 miles south of Blyth CA. (Mayflower is six miles north of Blyth. We like the area.) The opening seen on the side is duplicated on the other side. These give access to a drawer that runs the full width of the trailer - it can be pulled out from either side! I made some changes inside the rig - cutting the plywood seat bottom - so the drawers contents can also be accessed from the inside. |
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As it came from the factory, the space underneath the frig was fully enclosed and unavailable. I removed the front panel, installed metal tracks, and used some left-over material for the sliding doors. A great place to carry canned goods - right over the axle. The leftovers? When I enlarged the wardrobe, I had to replace the original shelving with larger pieces of plywood; the take-outs provided the matching paneling for the sliding doors. |
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Added a pantry just inside the door. The base rests on to the aft end of the wheel well. The frame is Texture-1-11 plywood. The adjustable shelves are of � inch ply that slip into the grooves of the T-1-11.
The clear plastic �shoe caddy� hanging on the frig holds our FRS radios, the GPS unit, the TV remote control, and other small items - in plain sight, but out of the way. |
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Added a key holder rack above the pantry. Also added: the black �shape� on the left, a three connector 12 vdc outlet box. It allows for a scanner, a battery charger, as well as a small fluorescent light to be plugged in all the time. Seen almost edge on between them: the TV connection. It has a built-in amplifier as well a 12 vdc outlet to take care of the combination TV/VCR. The top of the shoe-caddy is fastened to a wood strip that is hung on two hooks. It lifts off easily for when we travel. |
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Later on, this will lead to the next page - dealing with the PV system et. al.. |
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