Thrifty Alternatives ... Building Foam TDs

[GPW]

WT, I think you could EASILY achieve those weights ... My full size (4X8X4) Foamie is < 500lbs. and that’s with a stock HF trailer ... Even I (<1hp.) can easily pull it around on my gravel driveway by hand ... MC should be No Problem .... although you might have to forget the requisite Foamie ballast... 500lb. of Beer...

[atahoekid]

Mel. you might want to get a small pup tent for interim camping before the Foamie is finished ... The discomfort will be Motivating ...

oh mel, i'm sorry their just isn't enough hours in a day. you will get there, but glen is right. maybe you should get a pop ur use the tent for a while longer. at least you will be camping.

I gave up pup tents long ago. Since we had a family (now mostly moved on) we had the big 'ol cabin tent, then a pop-up that would "sleep 6". There were the inflatable mattresses, the dining fly, the kitchen to set up, etc., etc., etc. All too fresh in the memory! By the time, I got set up and the swearing and cursing was over, I'm surprised I stayed married. No... the memories of all that pain is still way too fresh in the brain. No need for the pup tent. I've had plenty of motivation to last me for a while. I will just have to keep plugging along. I'll get there eventually

[GPW]

Mel , in the immortal words of many forum members ... “Get it Done !!! “ Then you’ll be Camping ...

I meant the pup tent in jest ... I slept in one often in my youthful camping experiences ... Nevermore !!!

[Wobbly Wheels]

It's like that old saying about eating an elephant, Mel...
Just take one bite at a time till it's done.

Unless of course you just run the sucker through a blender and drink it !

[bonnie]

It's like that old saying about eating an elephant, Mel...
Just take one bite at a time till it's done.

Unless of course you just run the sucker through a blender and drink it !

You made me laugh out loud. I needed that badly!

[theWolfTamer]

WT, I think you could EASILY achieve those weights ... My full size (4X8X4) Foamie is < 500lbs. and that’s with a stock HF trailer ... Even I (<1hp.) can easily pull it around on my gravel driveway by hand ... MC should be No Problem .... although you might have to forget the requisite Foamie ballast... 500lb. of Beer...

Which is why i was so determined to learn about this method of building. Had I not found this forum having a camping trailer would only be a dream.

Also I picked up some free styrofoam today so I can make a model.

[GPW]

Making a model first is a good idea !!!! No surprises that way !

[GPW]

Just had another idea ...
Welding Foam ... Yep , just like welding metal ... well sort of .. the principal is the same Just for those of us who can’t wait for the glue to dry ... Think there’s any interest in that ?

[eaglesdare]

i hate waiting for the glue to dry, i just use screws thought, and lots of tape, or clamps.

[GPW]

Screws ,tape , clamps ...that works !!! I like the bamboo pins (chopsticks/skewers) idea , and we know that works ... I’m referring to Hot Glue .... been using it for years on foamie airplanes ... It is tricky to get the right amount of heat ,like welding, but once you do , the foam is literally melted together ... instantly ... The glue remains flexible , unlike the other glues , so may actually be better for off road foamies ... Best of all you can get HG sticks with a longer set up time for easier parts positioning ... Remember , the foam is just to keep the skins apart (and the insulation) , the skin is still everything ...

[Wobbly Wheels]

I've been using hot glue to 'pin' pieces together will shaping them.
When I tried it for seams, it gave me time to spread the bead out flat over the 1" foam but when I held the two pieces together it took so long to cool that it melted the foam and drew the glue away from the joint. Long seams with a zigzag worked up to about a foot before the starting point cooled too much to join.

I could play around with different temperature sticks, but drywall screws and bamboo skewers are doing the trick for me.

FWIW, I also tried softening the foam with a heat gun and pressing them together - failure.
Polystyrene cement (Testors model glue) - melts the foam before it cures. Anyone know of a solvent that will thin it but not eat the foam ? Mineral spirits (paint thinner) is fine on foam and (surprisingly !) acetone just seems to etch the surface whereas it positively EATS the beaded foam.

[GPW]

W2, the trick for using HG is to get the right temperature ... that’s when it SLIGHTLY melts the foam surface... too hot and it melts everything , too cold and it doesn’t “weld” the surfaces together, much like welding ... I’ve been using a dimmer type switch to adjust the heat ... the HG gun is only 40 watts so no problem ...

[Wobbly Wheels]

A dimmer switch - now why didn't I think of that !

[GPW]

I just came to the realization that we are the OUTLAW Rebels here ... Yes, there is still a majority of TD and TTT folks that think we’re Crazy !!! That Foam is no substitute for their cherished wooden trailers ... Schmaybe' !!! But that’s Cool ... “to each his own “ , “whatever floats your boat “ ... We’ll see how this plays out in the long run !!!
To the skeptics I only have one thought ...." Rot never sleeps" ...

[linuxmanxxx]

Glen I'm amazed at how much cost and time and toxic chemicals they endure leaving paneling exposed to the elements. They can't alter from all these td plans floating around that follow ancient methods and use harsh chemicals and massive labor to finish the exterior. A few have altered the shape for more functional space efficient models but the old guard prevails. To get the space in my 6 x 7 a td has to be massive heavy and a big wind dam.