Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[Wobbly Wheels]

I've been using hot glue to 'pin' pieces together will shaping them.
When I tried it for seams, it gave me time to spread the bead out flat over the 1" foam but when I held the two pieces together it took so long to cool that it melted the foam and drew the glue away from the joint. Long seams with a zigzag worked up to about a foot before the starting point cooled too much to join.

I could play around with different temperature sticks, but drywall screws and bamboo skewers are doing the trick for me.

FWIW, I also tried softening the foam with a heat gun and pressing them together - failure.
Polystyrene cement (Testors model glue) - melts the foam before it cures. Anyone know of a solvent that will thin it but not eat the foam ? Mineral spirits (paint thinner) is fine on foam and (surprisingly !) acetone just seems to etch the surface whereas it positively EATS the beaded foam.

[GPW]

W2, the trick for using HG is to get the right temperature ... that’s when it SLIGHTLY melts the foam surface... too hot and it melts everything , too cold and it doesn’t “weld” the surfaces together, much like welding ... I’ve been using a dimmer type switch to adjust the heat ... the HG gun is only 40 watts so no problem ...

[Wobbly Wheels]

A dimmer switch - now why didn't I think of that !

[GPW]

I just came to the realization that we are the OUTLAW Rebels here ... Yes, there is still a majority of TD and TTT folks that think we’re Crazy !!! That Foam is no substitute for their cherished wooden trailers ... Schmaybe' !!! But that’s Cool ... “to each his own “ , “whatever floats your boat “ ... We’ll see how this plays out in the long run !!!
To the skeptics I only have one thought ...." Rot never sleeps" ...

[linuxmanxxx]

Glen I'm amazed at how much cost and time and toxic chemicals they endure leaving paneling exposed to the elements. They can't alter from all these td plans floating around that follow ancient methods and use harsh chemicals and massive labor to finish the exterior. A few have altered the shape for more functional space efficient models but the old guard prevails. To get the space in my 6 x 7 a td has to be massive heavy and a big wind dam.

[GPW]

Steve, not meaning to put down anybody ... I’m just Too OLD to be constantly chasing down maintenance issues ... A GEEZER!!! If I build something , I want it to last , pretty much on it’s own ... It’s like the old bumper sticker... “ I’d rather be Camping!!!”
Plus , the entire RV industry has so aptly proven they Can’t make anything with conventional materials that will last ... Just trying to think “out the box” here .. Left outside , the two common things that seem to survive is Foam and Aluminum... Odd , because most solid plastics don’t seem to do as well.. maybe it’s the Air in it ?
So for old Geezers who want the trailer to outlast them , it’s logically either a Foamie or an Al cargo trailer ... probably with the benefit going to the cargo trailer ... But then again , they can be expensive for something decent and not a “big wind dam” ... Foamies are more of “your Basic” style of camping trailer ...

IMHO , the wooden TD guys have done a a remarkable job of making perfect little Beauties , that really belong in a Museum and NOT out in the snow...

It’s like my wife said ... “ cars last outside, why don’t trailers? “ Perspicacious woman , the wife ...

[Wobbly Wheels]

Another big advantage of course is cost. A few sheets of ply and a trailer frame cost a bit but not nearly as much as a new rig.
Foam is even cheaper and it's far more easily shaped by anyone, even kids. That means that building this way has the potential to get more people out camping. Even if they try it and don't like it, they aren't making payments on a trailer that they're not using.
Some folks don't give any credibility to something unless it's 'professionally built' so there's no reaching them, but I have something of an audience now for my build. I live in a lane that's a pretty popular route to walk to the beer & wine store and some local shops. I get people coming down the lane all the time to see my dogs and to check on the trailer's progress. Of course, we get to talking and the have a realization that it's pretty easy to build this way and that anyone can do it.
I'm starting to get the box closed in now so the eventual shape is visible...and I seem to get more people coming by to check it out.

From one neighbour I get the usual "why don't you just buy one ?" comments. She's always been wealthy and is more a 'hoteler' than a camper, so to each their own. Two of my other neighbours are now thinking of building trailers for themselves.

All things considered, I think my trailer has cost me more in beer than in materials so far - both to pay for parts and as 'coolant' while building. That will change when I start glassing though (shooting for next weekend !)

[GPW]

QUOTE: “ Some folks don't give any credibility to something unless it's 'professionally built' so there's no reaching them” ... that’s TRUE !!! We call them RV’ers ...

[GPW]

W2 , anxious to see how the glassing goes ... that should be a pretty Nice skin !!!

[Wobbly Wheels]

Picking up the first gallon of resin today.
Stay tuned !

[pete42]

There's always someone who when told what you are doing says "why?"
"I could stay in a lot of motels for that price".
to which I reply how many times have you said I think I'll go moteling next weekend?
granted I have stayed in motels and will again I'm sure.
like the bumper sticker says "I'd rather be camping" never saw a sticker that said
"I'd rather be moteling"

pete

[linuxmanxxx]

Pete I can drag my little box over to RV park and stay many nights there to equal one motel night. These can make a cross country trip affordable that some people could never make in the conventional motel way.

[GPW]

Having a small trailer gives you a feeling of Freedom ... King of the Road , wind in your face sorta’ thing ... to go anywhere, see everything , not having to depend on a motel for your rest (or pay the big bucks ) .. Kinda’ like the Harley guys except we have a Nice bed to sleep in ... ...and the wet bar is much Cheaper ...

[Ratkity]

There's always someone who when told what you are doing says "why?"
"I could stay in a lot of motels for that price".
to which I reply how many times have you said I think I'll go moteling next weekend?
granted I have stayed in motels and will again I'm sure.
like the bumper sticker says "I'd rather be camping" never saw a sticker that said
"I'd rather be moteling"

pete

Also no bedbugs.. or fear of bedbugs... Or or or.. fear of other things unseen! *looks around, paranoid*

Hugs,
Ratkity

[Ratkity]

oopsie, double post!