Hybrid Foamie in Southern Alberta

[Martiangod]

there are several points during each build where you feel over whelmed, and then there is those milestone points where you feel elated.
don't get too discouraged. It will happen in Tear Drop time.....
there is one point your getting closer to where you feel like your miles away then all of a sudden its done
Build On

[Shar]

Thanks for the encouragement!
Today, finally, we had good weather and both of us were home. Mark helped me put the 4th wall on, then I spent the rest of the day doing other tasks: sanding the foam at the corners, gluing in bits of foam where they were needed, attaching hurricane ties in a few places inside, and framing the opening for the roof vent (you can see it in one of the pics).
When I started this project, I intended to put a skylight over the sleeping area. I thought it would make the cabin cheery inside during the day, and let us see the stars at night. Later, I worried that every opening in the roof is just another chance for water to leak in, and what if it makes the cabin too hot??
When I look into the cabin, with that poly sheet thrown over it, I start wanting a skylight again. I will try to decide one way or the other before I canvas the roof.

[bonnie]

Looking really nice.

[Shar]

Thanks Bonnie!!
What a busy week this has been! A new grandchild has arrived, Mark and I both had the flu, and I got a couple of good days in on the trailer. The big goal Tue and Wed was to put the roof on, which was a big sheet of 1" foam, canvased on both sides. In retrospect, I think 1 1/2" foam would have been better; that sucker was too flexible even once the canvas was on. Now that it's gorilla glued to the rest of the structure, with wooden spars supporting it underneath and canvas covering it above, I think it will work out ok, though.
The roof is now glued in place, and I am working on the edges of the wall/roof interface: cutting off bits that stick out too far, filling gaps, sanding the edges smooth and rounded for aerodynamic effect. I glued canvas to the center area of the roof panel before I put it up there, so that I would only have to glue the edges afterward. It just seemed easier.
The next step is a whole lot of glue & canvas work; I think I will have to buy a 3rd gallon of TB2. If the weather treats me well tomorrow, I will get some of that done.

[bonnie]

Once the canvas is fully glued, you should be fine.

[Martiangod]

Milestone !!!

Yippy....................

[Shar]

I glued some canvas on today, and did some painting inside the trailer. Also bought another gallon of TB2!
Rain is forecast for the next few days, and I have to work, but the next chance I get, I will glue some reinforcing strips along the wall/roof joint and maybe along the bottom of the wall as well. Then, the big canvas panels can go on the side walls.
Mark and I have become experts at deploying the tarps, when rain threatens!
I have a question about gluing the canvas under the floor. How do you safely lift the trailer up, so as to tuck the edges underneath? I estimate that my cabin, on the trailer, weighs 225 lbs. I wouldn't want that to fall on anyone's hand, or tip over and break itself. If anyone has a suggestion, or a link to one, I would appreciate it.

[bonnie]

Glen just rolled the one I have on it's side.

[KCStudly]

Sturdy sawhorses on stable level ground.

[Shar]

Rain was predicted for today, but in the "late afternoon" so I got up early and did some canvasing anyway. Today's task was applying reinforcing strips in a few areas that needed them, and painting the ceiling inside. I got all the strips glued down and 95% of the painting done before I heard the unwanted sound of pattering on the roof.
I can get those tarps in place pretty quickly now, with the ropes and everything- starting to feel like a jolly sailor, me hearties!
The next step is to glue canvas to the big side walls. For that, I would like a day where rain is not forecast at all- we shall see. After work tomorrow is a possibility, if so. I could get at least one wall done before it got dark. Not sure how long it takes for such a big panel. Maybe both walls could get done.
Here's a profile shot of the trailer right now. You can see the wedge shape that I wanted for runoff and for aerodynamics.
Thanks for the advice about lifting the trailer. Still not sure what we will do, but I will keep you posted!

[Shar]

The rain won't stop here, and I just have to make some progress with these next 2 days I have off work!
Mark suggested that we build a movable wooden frame, higher than the trailer, which could lean against the wall/roof and have the tarps pulled over it, exposing one side of the trailer but keeping it under cover at the same time.
You can see what we made in the picture below. Once we finished building the frame, it was time for me to go to work, so we left it uncovered. Tomorrow, it's supposed to rain again, but I'm hoping with the help of this shelter I will still be able to do some canvasing. Wish me luck!!

[Shar]

Rain, rain, go away, etc.

I did manage to apply canvas to one side wall of the trailer; our rain shelter can only cover one side at once. The canvas went on well- it took 4 hours to do it, with the edges and window opening and so on. I expect that the other wall will take about the same length of time, and I was expecting to do it tomorrow- then I came home from visiting the new grandbaby and found that because it's been raining all day, the TB2 has not even started drying yet! I guess there is too much humidity in the air.

I am assuming/hoping that once the rain stops, the glue will be able to cure. Should I be worried?

[inthewoods]

I can't help you with the canvas question but I'm east of you in Saskatchewan and the rain is also slowing me down on my build. I've been watching your build. Keep up the good work. Eventually the insane rain will stop.

[bonnie]

Rain, rain, go away, etc.

I did manage to apply canvas to one side wall of the trailer; our rain shelter can only cover one side at once. The canvas went on well- it took 4 hours to do it, with the edges and window opening and so on. I expect that the other wall will take about the same length of time, and I was expecting to do it tomorrow- then I came home from visiting the new grandbaby and found that because it's been raining all day, the TB2 has not even started drying yet! I guess there is too much humidity in the air.

I am assuming/hoping that once the rain stops, the glue will be able to cure. Should I be worried?

It may take a bit longer, but it should dry.

[Shar]

Thanks for the encouragement, Bonnie and Inthewoods!

We ended up expanding our rain shelter so it covered both sides of the trailer, and with its help I glued canvas to both sides of the trailer even though it poured rain for 2 days. The glue didn't start drying till this morning, but it has come along well and I feel confident that it will be fully cured by Sunday and ready for some paint.

I did a little more gluing this morning before I went to work, and there was even a chance for putting in some fun stuff like the fold-down counter inside, and some brackets with rings, on the inside walls, for hanging gear or clotheslines. Pics of that later. I don't have the details of the inside figured out completely, because the outside (as always) is the priority. The weather is supposed to improve soon.