The Vetsport extreme SIPS microcamper

[Mobile Room]

Hi to all

I'm looking to build my first tear drop and found this on YouTube, it's called the Vetsport Extreme SIPS Micro-camper. I like this as it has good insulation for cold weather camping, says it will fit on the 4 x 8 trailer frame and looks easy to build. anyone know any thing about this design? I found this on http://www.simplesolarhomesteading.com or go to you-tube and type in Vetsport, it will pop up to show the page.

[DrCrash]

Welcome and befor you buy some one elses plans, did you know these are FREE.

http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear00.htm

and here is the free one mike did

http://www.mikenchell.com/images/GenericBenroyPlans.pdf

[tony.latham]

Hi to all

I'm looking to build my first tear drop and found this on YouTube, it's called the Vetsport Extreme SIPS Micro-camper. I like this as it has good insulation for cold weather camping, says it will fit on the 4 x 8 trailer frame and looks easy to build. anyone know any thing about this design? I found this on http://www.simplesolarhomesteading.com or go to you-tube and type in Vetsport, it will pop up to show the page.

I'm suspicious of anyone selling trailer plans that do not have photographs of the finished product. I don't see any on their webpage nor on the Youtube video. Perhaps I just can't find a photograph or build log. I'm guessing he's drawn up the plans and has not built a prototype.

His mentioning 4" thick walls for a micro camper? Goof grief, that may vie for the record for a teardrop-like trailer (and it's cut the interior space down by 8" which is huge in a 4-wide). Most on this forum would call that gross overkill. 3/4" of insulation in a micro trailer is plenty. (I'm guessing it has to do with his construction method that isn't outlined on his page) The other issue I have with his plan is the single door. Two people in that trailer with one door is not social nirvana –plus that one sliding window is not enough ventilation. I see he's got a vent on top but you really need to move air in a tiny trailer.

The best thing I ever did (three teardrops ago) was purchase a copy of Steve Fredrick's teardrop Shop Manual. You can find a copy of it here: http://www.campingclassics.com/shopman05.html It's about 250 pages filled with photographs (not sketch diagrams) and how-to discussion. His hatch building method is straight-foreword and makes for a well sealed hatch.

But build!

Tony

[Vedette]

Great Advice and information Tony!
Good roads
Brian & Sandi

[JuneBug]

Also really like this little standy from the same Web site.

[grant whipp]

There used to be a commercial teardrop builder in New Mexico that built all their trailers out of SIPs ... walls, floor, ceiling/roof, and hatch ... 1-1/2" thick ... HappiTrails Teardrops. He built a few with aluminum skin, but most used Filon on the outside, birch paneling on the inside. They were actually pretty rugged trailers, but fell a bit short on the fit & finish. As a personal project, where you have the time to research and figure out all the correct ways to make everything fit and look good too, I think the process has merit ... however, as HTT found out, trying to make them commercially and make a profit (why else would you do it commercially ... ...?) is quite another thing. The panels have their limitations, especially where teardrop construction is concerned, but if you can work with or around those limitations, a decent product can be acheived ... ...!

However you choose, good luck! And, of course, Welcome!

CHEERS!

[Vedette]

What are SIPS?
Brian

[GPW]

Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) .... If you want thick walls with Lots of Insulation you need to go to the Foamie' Section ...

[bobhenry]

What are SIPS?
Brian

"STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS"

We just received in two semi loads of this......

http://www.huberwood.com/zipsystem/thermal

An oriented strand board sandwich with fiberglass faces and a center core of beaded Styrofoam.

This has my brain pan churning. I am getting ready to start on a tiny trailer house boat on a pontoon frame and this will more than likely be the side wall material of choice.

[Vedette]

Wow! Who would have thought?
Guess I am out of touch with construction methods of the day.
My brain is still working on Aero stuff & Dirty Air so I can faster with less drag???
Thanks guys!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi