Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

Eagle , being an old timer and living at sea level ... we used to have to adjust the carburetor on the old truck when we went up in the mountains (the air is much thinner) ... I don’t know if modern computer controlled injection allows for this ... something to check ...

WT , Welcome !!! ... and Congratulations for finishing the “Big read” ..

How much weight can a cycle tow ? Should be Easy to come up with a streamline featherweight...

[KCStudly]

we used to have to adjust the carburetor on the old truck when we went up in the mountains (the air is much thinner) ... I don’t know if modern computer controlled injection allows for this...

It does. All modern Speed Density fuel injection systems sense MAP (Manifold Air Pressure) and IAT (Intake Air Temperature). With these values, RPM and TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) the computer can calculate air density and engine demand to automatically adjust fueling.

Another variation uses Mass Air Flow, calculating inlet air with a MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor (or MAS) where the speed of the air coming in is measured by how much current is required to maintain the resistance (temperature) of what is essentially an electric heating coil in the intake track.

[wagondude]

To add to what KC said, many cars will runn on the learned fuel curve. and when they go up in altitude, will start to run poorly. Some have found they can correct for this simply by pulling off the road and shutting off the engine. When you restart, it forces a new read of the sensors and will adjust the fuel trims for the higher altitude. Some cars even reference the procedure in the owner's manual.

Bill

[theWolfTamer]

welcome wolftamer! i am loving that another hhr person is on board now.
the only problem i have had so far is with the hhr going up the mountains. even without towing my car drops down to about 40mph going over the inclines, and up thru the winding roads of mountains. i haven't attempted to pull on those roads yet, and not too sure i will. although one of my favorite spots to camp in in those mountains, so we'll see.

My biggest issue with the HHR* as the TV is the brakes. I always wish I had more when it comes time to stop. I find myself asking a higher power for help every time I need brakes going downhill or when I've forgotten I'm towing and didn't pre-plan my stop.

I don't worry about the gas mileage when towing so I just put my foot in it in prep for going uphill. When the big slow down comes, it ain't that bad. When towing to AR, I had it on cruise a lot and I noticed the cruise does the same thing. Keep the rpms aroung 3.5 to 4k going into the hill and it'll pull just fine. Going down hill and stopping, that's something else entirely. I'm going to get better brakes--both rotors and pads--before Pedro (my HHR) has to pull a camper trailer. The twisty bits weren't that bad as long as you were ready to stop. I found the trailer kind of pushes you down hill a bit so using the low gear helps to keep the speed from getting too fast so you have more time to stop.

*Note: I have the LS version with the 2.2L flex engine. If you can get E85, you'll have more power but worse gas mileage. I also changed my stock air filter for the K&N one and notice about the same feel for power no matter what gas I'm using. I haven't put e85 in it since I got the K&N so I don't know if it'll feel even more powerful with the new filter.

i sure do wished we had some awards to give the newer members when they finish reading this thread!

The reward is discovering all the good info that's buried in the thread.

Eagle , being an old timer and living at sea level ... we used to have to adjust the carburetor on the old truck when we went up in the mountains (the air is much thinner) ... I don’t know if modern computer controlled injection allows for this ... something to check ...

WT , Welcome !!! ... and Congratulations for finishing the “Big read” ..

How much weight can a cycle tow ? Should be Easy to come up with a streamline featherweight...

FI does it automatically. On this car, it's not the going that's the problem it's the stopping with the OEM brakes. I was more than once during that long trip but it always stopped no matter how much pulsing and feeling like it wasn't it did.

Most motorcycles do not list a towing capacity but a weight capacity. I figure as long as I can keep the trailer below 500 lbs loaded, I'll be okay with my minimum of 140 hp (bike's been jetted but not dynoed so I don't know real numbers). Most commercial campers for bikes weigh in the 200-250 lb range with max capacity of 500. For the motocamper, I don't plan to have anything fancy on/in it: my twin air mattress and sleeping bag and room to store my clothes in the trailer. I'm working on the 2d drawings now in LibreCad (I use Linux so no sketchup for me) and am looking for a 3d program that is not Blender (too complicated to learn) to make a render. I might have to load wine to use sketchup but I'm holding out for now.

[bonnie]

[quote= I'm working on the 2d drawings now in LibreCad (I use Linux so no sketchup for me) and am looking for a 3d program that is not Blender oo complicated to learn) to make a render. I might have to load wine to use sketchup but I'm holding out for now.

Linux is my main OS too.

[GPW]

WT, I think you could EASILY achieve those weights ... My full size (4X8X4) Foamie is < 500lbs. and that’s with a stock HF trailer ... Even I (<1hp.) can easily pull it around on my gravel driveway by hand ... MC should be No Problem .... although you might have to forget the requisite Foamie ballast... 500lb. of Beer...

[atahoekid]

Mel. you might want to get a small pup tent for interim camping before the Foamie is finished ... The discomfort will be Motivating ...

oh mel, i'm sorry their just isn't enough hours in a day. you will get there, but glen is right. maybe you should get a pop ur use the tent for a while longer. at least you will be camping.

I gave up pup tents long ago. Since we had a family (now mostly moved on) we had the big 'ol cabin tent, then a pop-up that would "sleep 6". There were the inflatable mattresses, the dining fly, the kitchen to set up, etc., etc., etc. All too fresh in the memory! By the time, I got set up and the swearing and cursing was over, I'm surprised I stayed married. No... the memories of all that pain is still way too fresh in the brain. No need for the pup tent. I've had plenty of motivation to last me for a while. I will just have to keep plugging along. I'll get there eventually

[GPW]

Mel , in the immortal words of many forum members ... “Get it Done !!! “ Then you’ll be Camping ...

I meant the pup tent in jest ... I slept in one often in my youthful camping experiences ... Nevermore !!!

[Wobbly Wheels]

It's like that old saying about eating an elephant, Mel...
Just take one bite at a time till it's done.

Unless of course you just run the sucker through a blender and drink it !

[bonnie]

It's like that old saying about eating an elephant, Mel...
Just take one bite at a time till it's done.

Unless of course you just run the sucker through a blender and drink it !

You made me laugh out loud. I needed that badly!

[theWolfTamer]

WT, I think you could EASILY achieve those weights ... My full size (4X8X4) Foamie is < 500lbs. and that’s with a stock HF trailer ... Even I (<1hp.) can easily pull it around on my gravel driveway by hand ... MC should be No Problem .... although you might have to forget the requisite Foamie ballast... 500lb. of Beer...

Which is why i was so determined to learn about this method of building. Had I not found this forum having a camping trailer would only be a dream.

Also I picked up some free styrofoam today so I can make a model.

[GPW]

Making a model first is a good idea !!!! No surprises that way !

[GPW]

Just had another idea ...
Welding Foam ... Yep , just like welding metal ... well sort of .. the principal is the same Just for those of us who can’t wait for the glue to dry ... Think there’s any interest in that ?

[eaglesdare]

i hate waiting for the glue to dry, i just use screws thought, and lots of tape, or clamps.

[GPW]

Screws ,tape , clamps ...that works !!! I like the bamboo pins (chopsticks/skewers) idea , and we know that works ... I’m referring to Hot Glue .... been using it for years on foamie airplanes ... It is tricky to get the right amount of heat ,like welding, but once you do , the foam is literally melted together ... instantly ... The glue remains flexible , unlike the other glues , so may actually be better for off road foamies ... Best of all you can get HG sticks with a longer set up time for easier parts positioning ... Remember , the foam is just to keep the skins apart (and the insulation) , the skin is still everything ...