The Escape Pod is no more

[Larwyn]

I've been away for a while but am considering my next camper as today I finally got around to wrecking out the Escape Pod. It was a bit of a sad day but actually the bare HF trailer is easier to look at than the delaminated mess that it had become. I had some pictures in mind to post but for some reason I am unable to load them in my album in order to post them here. Guess I have been away fro too long and did not keep up on the forum changes.

I'm not sure what I will do with the HF frame at this time but I am considering building a TTT this time around instead of an actual TD. Not sure whether the frame will work out for the new (non-existent) design or not.

Any help with how to post pictures would be appreciated.

[Mukilteo]

That is what I'am planning to do to my Little Guy Silver Shadow due to it's leaks.

[Mukilteo]

The Escape Pod

[Larwyn]

Thanks for posting the pic. That is the only one that I could get to upload to the album. I had two additional ones that I planned to upload but I kept getting an error. Guess it really doesn't matter, everyone has seen an empty HF trailer....

[mikeschn]

Ouch! I know the feeling of wood that has delaminated.

I'm using http://menards.com/main/building-materi ... c-5698.htm which is an exterior plywood. I shouldn't have delamination problems this time.

Which ttt are you thinking?

Mike...

[GPW]

WHOA !!! That’s TRAGIC!!! What happened ... ? Looks like it all started around the edges ...

[Larwyn]

The delamination started very soon after the paint was applied. I used Kilz's "best" oil based primer and a "premium quality" house paint. The plywood seemed fine before painting so I suspect that the primer that I used contributed to the problem. Much of the delamination started mid panel and worked it's way to the edges. I had intended to skin the trailer with aluminum but after the health problems and the move I cheaped out and opted for paint, had I completed the trailer as intended it would probably still be fine.

I have not really decided on what to build next but am leaning toward stand up head room this time around. If the HF trailer does not suit what I decide to build I might just build my own trailer this time. Or I might decide on a slide in camper for my truck that could also be used with the old HF frame.

The temp here in Kerrville was reported to have been 109 f during the tear down yesterday so it is not likely that any serious building will commence before the weather begins to cool again. A couple of weeks ago I put up a new carport tent behind my woodshop in anticipation of the upcoming build. There should be much more room to work in there this time around since all the heavy woodworking tools are in the shop rather than the temporary shelter.

Just about done;

Rip_it_off.jpg (83.93 KiB) Viewed 1298 times

Here's what is left of the Escape Pod;

Done_for_now.jpg (72.8 KiB) Viewed 1298 times

[GPW]

Sorry for your troubles !!! That de-lamination is the main reason I steered away from using any plywood at all ..

[Oldragbaggers]

Heartbreaking photos, Larwyn. But...the upside is that now you get to start fresh with new ideas and a chance to build something based on experiences with the old camper. You know now what you liked, what you didn't, what you wish you had done the first time around. And you get to experience the joy of creating something again. And that's half the fun, right?

[wagondude]

Sad to see it end that way. Look up in the design library at andrews new design called the wanderer. It is a standy built in either an 8 foot or 10 foot length. Might give you a few ideas.

Bill

[TJinPgh]

Sorry it came to that.

Maybe you could make it a meaningful death if you wrote up something about how the delamination happened, what you learned from it and maybe how it can be prevented.

Assuming you haven't already.

On a somewhat related note, since there are apparently two TDs in this thread that are going to be scrapped for various reasons, we really need to start a new sub-thread where people who are planning on scrapping their units down to the frame can post to see if anybody wants it first.

[Treeview]

Only one word needs to be said!

UtiliKilt!

Tom

[Larwyn]

GPW; Yes I am considering alternatives to using plywood on the exterior of my next build. Cheap Home Depot luan is right out! But I repeat, if I had continued with my plan to skin the trailer in aluminum the plywood would have been protected from the elements and would never have had that primer applied which I suspect dissolved the glue holding the lamination together.

Beckey; Thanks, you are right,I know now that I am getting to old to be crawling in and out of a teardrop so the next one could use a bit more headroom for getting dressed in the mornings. There are other small things that I would do different this time around.

Bill; Thanks for the tip, I'll take a look at the wanderer.

TJ; Good idea but I saved the only bits that anybody would want from the Escape Pod for possible use on my next build. I'm really throwing nothing out but old rotten wood, and some not so rotten wood.

Tom; What else would a man wear on a 109 degree day when taking a sawsall and 12 pound sledge to destroy a teardrop trailer that he created? Actually I wore that same kiilt throughout most of the construction of the Escape Pod, so I thought it only fitting to wear it again during the destruction. There is nothing more comfortable than a well worn Utilikilt!

[Treeview]

I understand...I'm in Austin so we're in the same heat!

Tom

[TJinPgh]

GPW; Yes I am considering alternatives to using plywood on the exterior of my next build. Cheap Home Depot luan is right out! But I repeat, if I had continued with my plan to skin the trailer in aluminum the plywood would have been protected from the elements and would never have had that primer applied which I suspect dissolved the glue holding the lamination together.

What kind of primer was it?

I used that same luan as paneling inside a canned ham that I'm pondering whether to stain or paint in certain spots (like the ceiling).

So, I'm curious if it was the primer that delaminated it or simply weather expsure or a combination of the two (where painting it inside might not be an issue).

TJ; Good idea but I saved the only bits that anybody would want from the Escape Pod for possible use on my next build. I'm really throwing nothing out but old rotten wood, and some not so rotten wood.

Yeah, that thought really didn't apply as much to yours since it was being done due to damage. Was just a random thought I had when I saw two mentioned in the same thread and it brought to mind the trailers we've seen on this board that have been discarded for the sake of building something different.

But, yeah, I guess many of the components do end up being re-used so it might not work.