Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[Pmullen503]

It’s not the glue but the procedure …

1. Attach canvas to CLEAN foam .
2. Add thin sizing coat to waterproof canvas fibers .
3. Paint the outside for weather and UV protection …

My *opinion* is it makes sense to apply the second (saturating) coat before the first (adhering) coat has fully dried. I've wondered if it really makes a difference on canvas. The thought is that any polymerizing glue/coating (as opposed to solvent based like lacquer) sticks better to the earlier coat if the earlier coat is not fully polymerized.

 

[GPW]

PM , If the first coat holding canvas to foam is not dry , the sizing coat only rewets the underlying glue … I tried it …

 

[GPW]

And while surfing You Tube , I saw this and thought of “ Thrifty Alternatives” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc6ZXR0 ... &index=126

 

[John61CT-TNT]

Nice! added to my wigwam / dome thread

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=1243883#p1243883

 

[ghcoe]

I have been approached to build a bicycle trailer. I was doing some research and saw that video. Pretty cool. I am not sure where I had saw it, but years ago I found a link to a 1930's teardrop build that used just a simple wood frame with a canvas covering. It was basically just a sleeper, but had a kitchen built into the floor that you covered up to make the sleeping platform. Small, but functionable. Only think I don't like about them is that they supply little to no insulation.

 

[John61CT-TNT]

Get the shape you want then spray closed cellPU foam from the inside

or pour from the outside

then shape to get an even thickness.

For snowy mountain living, 3-4" would be enough.

For more temperate, 1-2".

 

[GPW]

I was kinda’ thinking of splitting Large Bamboo into uniform slats to make the ribs . Bamboo can easily be heat bent to retain the shape … More like hoops for a Conestoga wagon … sorta ‘ .. Just another idea !!!

 

[Douglas Knudson]

Wow, I just finished reading this loooong thread. Lot's of good ideas. Doug

 

[GPW]

Well done DK !!! Now you know as much as we do !!!

 

[Douglas Knudson]

Hey GPW, I'd like to find more detailed drawings of a Willey Window. Do you have some? I private messaged you on FB. TIA Doug

 

[linuxmanxxx]

Hey GPW, I'd like to find more detailed drawings of a Willey Window. Do you have some? I private messaged you on FB. TIA Doug

They might be written in cajun [emoji16]

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Douglas Knudson]

 

[eaglesdare]

I can't believe you all are still posting on the BIG thread. Hello everyone!

Louella

 

[GPW]

DK, did I miss something ….??? We’ve been a Bit “distracted “ lately … I never tried a Wiley Window , we just used what we could find ! ( store bought)
Eagle , Glad to hear from you !!! Yep, still here , with lots of Foamies now … It WORKED !!! And much Better than we ever thought !!!

 

[GPW]

We hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas !!! Stay safe !!!

 

[GPW]

A Foamie Boat , built in the Foamie manner …

After all , isn’t a trailer just a Boat upside down … ??? sorta’ , ish’ …???

 

[John61CT-TNT]

very cool

to think the arctic indigenous peoples used to head out to bluewater ocean to hunt big mammals for weeks at a time

in vessels not so different

 

[GPW]

As time goes on , we see a lot more things being built from foam … It’s just a material that can be utilized by everyday people like you and me … and using a limited amount of common tools most of us already have …
Foam boats seems a natural , even if it doesn’t work , it still Floats …

 

[John61CT-TNT]

Maslow CNC opens up pretty limitless possibilities,

with plywood as well

maybe even precisely cut fabric for PMF?

shorturl.at/mqsGH

 

[Mikel46516]

Wow! No posts here in over a year. Maybe the whole foamie thing is dead before I even get a chance to play.

If you read the entire thread, and nobody is here to acknowledge you've read the thread, did you still read the thing? Hmmm…

Thank you to everyone for their contributions here. Even the silly stuff. I have started planning for a foam camper of my own design. More to share soon.

Mike