Weight savings with a Foamie build vs plywood?

[Tony Latham]

How do you know it is properly built though? Most people here are not professional builders.

Builders need to research. Due diligence. Just like you did for your PMF/foamie. This isn't 1947 and the only thing you have to follow is a Mechanix Illustrated magazine article for a guide. That's what this forum is about. The answers are here.

Also, I spent a year writing my book so builders would need to include their camper in their will. It was not an easy task.



Tony

 

[Gator417]

Tony,
Nobody here s doubting your knowledge or experience with tear drop trailers. Nevertheless, wood rots. It rots in houses, boats, fences and even our beloved campers. Some people on this forum are probably more concerned about it than they need to be, but it is still a concern.
Building with foam is just one way to eliminate the risk of one's camper rotting out from under them. It also reduces weight, adds insulation value, saves money and allows people with limited tools or experience to build their own camper.
Gator

 

[Tony Latham]

It rots in houses, boats, fences and even our beloved campers.

There is one photo of a camper with rot on this forum.

https://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=73003&p=1267267

It should be obvious what caused it. (And frankly, I'm not sure it's rot, it may be OSB that gone south because of water intrusion.) There are several folks discussing failing OSB that is coming apart and calling it rot. It's not.

So it should be a concern. It should make a person do his/her due diligence and figure out how to avoid it.

Build it right, and include it in your will. Wood, metal, or foam.

Tony

 

[BillyCrystal]

Quick question - I’ve been searching and I’m finding it nearly impossible to locate a “frugal” (read cheap) source of xps foam. However, I’m finding cheap sources of plywood and various sizes of lumber all over Facebook Marketplace.

How much weight is saved with a Foamie camper build vs a plywood/wood small camper build? I hope to build a 6”x10’ vargo type “standy” camper similar to the image below. My tow vehicle weight limit is 1500lbs.View attachment 1142089

Quick question - I’ve been searching and I’m finding it nearly impossible to locate a “frugal” (read cheap) source of xps foam. However, I’m finding cheap sources of plywood and various sizes of lumber all over Facebook Marketplace.

How much weight is saved with a Foamie camper build vs a plywood/wood small camper build? I hope to build a 6”x10’ vargo type “standy” camper similar to the image below. My tow vehicle weight limit is 1500lbs.View attachment 1142089

The pink foamboard from Owen’s Corning is very pricey. I plan on using the foil backed board by R-Tech. It’s about half the cost. Not quite as sturdy, can be messy when cut, but much cheaper …. Same weight and r-value too. If you’re doing PMF, it’ll be just as strong. My other thought is to make SIPS using a layer of foam sandwiched between two 1/4” sheets of ply. That’d be the same weight as using 1/2” ply, but would be insulated and much stronger. Then you’re back to $$$ and more weight.

 

[Pmullen503]

The pink foamboard from Owen’s Corning is very pricey. I plan on using the foil backed board by R-Tech. It’s about half the cost. Not quite as sturdy, can be messy when cut, but much cheaper …. Same weight and r-value too. If you’re doing PMF, it’ll be just as strong. My other thought is to make SIPS using a layer of foam sandwiched between two 1/4” sheets of ply. That’d be the same weight as using 1/2” ply, but would be insulated and much stronger. Then you’re back to $$$ and more weight.

You'll want to test how you are going to adhere canvas to foil faced foam before you decide.

On cost, you are going to spend a lot of time and money on something you will enjoy for a long time. You won't miss the extra $ you spent after a while. But you may regret not spending some extra $ while building for as long as you own it.