Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[atahoekid]

GPW, I know you built your Foam TD as a thrifty escape mechanism and I know it will serve you well, but I'm hoping it doesn't come to that... I've got my fingers crossed for you for a mild season.

[theWolfTamer]

Here's hoping for a season that requires no evacs for you!

As to the reason for the single wheel trailer: The reason for one wheel has everything to do with the motorcycle. A one wheel trailer will track behind the bike and actually work with it better than the two wheel trailer will. When I dodge a hole with the bike, there'll be no wondering if the trailer will miss it too because it'll be following in the same track. Pulling a two wheel trailer behind a motorcycle changes it's geometry affects it's maneuverability. Even with the proper adapter, it can't react to quick maneuvers that one often must make on a motorcycle. Slow speed stuff is going to be difficult no matter how many wheels you tow so that's a non-issue for me. If you're talking about endless straight miles on the interstate it might not make a difference however I haven't been on a trip with endless straight miles. Well there was that time in Kansas but that is now BTDT so I don't ever have to do it again.

If I can stick with the dimensions I posted, It will be about is a big as many of the one wheeled cargo trailers currently on the market. That said, I'm still not 100% sure that a one wheeled camping trailer is viable. My problem remains weight. I'm not entirely sure it's smart to tow too much weight behind a bike. The camper itself will have the requisite stabilizing system so that it can support itself like the rv's do once parked. It will also have separate suspension that isn't just leaf springs bouncing down the road. I wouldn't even consider it if the suspension on the trailer is anything like that on my HF trailer.

I can see myself getting an R/C motorcycle to tow my model as a type of proof I can do what I envision.

Connecting the trailer to the motorcycle will take advantage of the hollow rear wheel axle. Kind of like this moto-mule frame:


I would have a different hitch system than pictured, like a copy from the Poet's Express thread, with quick disconnect system.

The part without the wheel attaches to the rear wheel of the bike similar to this:




I hope that explains it. If it doesn't then I don't have the words to do so. I understand it much better than I can explain it!

[GPW]

Mel, THANKS !!! I hope so too!!!!!! ....That EVAC thing was how we got into Trailers in he first place... Caused when we left home on a 6 week evac with preparations for three days ... I can say it (Katrina) was the most Traumatic event we EVER went through ... Changed our lives (and City) forever... All through this “event/adventure" , we noticed the folks with the LEAST problems had a trailer,RV,tent of some sort and thus a place to live, separate from others ... The rest of us had to live with friends , which turned out to be a great burden on even the very best of friendships ... Found this Forum (TG!!!) and realized a trailer could be a Home (temporarily) and would allow us to go most anywhere and live ,self-sufficient, without burden on anyone (especially ourselves)... and in relative safety from storm or predators ... I can tell you hair curling stories of some of the awful things that happened to friends, who left with no place to stay , some traumatized to the point of death , most still”crazy” (PTSD) ... of All the thoughts and considerations I could muster, a “mobile home”of sorts was always the answer to the problem ... A place to live,eat, dress, sleep in Private , away from others ...and the contempt caused by familiarity.. As much as you guys like to get together for a few days of FUN , try a few weeks , a month or two ...together...
Foamies was just a concept , where most anybody could make a small (or Large) “mobile home” and avoid the pitfalls of extended contact with their fellow earthlings (Space , the necessary frontier ) ... Not break the bank, not require extensive and expensive constant maintenance.. (RV) A humble offering to my fellow man for purpose to Peace and Harmony!!!
EVAC, Try to avoid it !!!!!!! ... that means you must not live in someplace that floods, or is near a volcano, or fault line, no tornado alleys, no glaciers ,blizzards,rock or mudslides, forest fires , Bears , flying frozen turkeys, etc. etc. ... I haven’t found a truly SAFE place yet ... Just have to sit tight , wait, see what turns up and then deal with it best we can ...just running from the storm ...

WT, OK, I see where that could work .... Thanks for the pics and explanation !!! ...

[Ratkity]

GPW, I was thinking the other night what to take during a major storm evac. Since you have gone through many, what do you take?

So far on my list:
Pets
Pet food and any meds for them
Leashes, bowls, litter box, cages, brushes (I have a camp box for the dogs..just have to add cat and birdie stuff)
People food (ground coffee, instant or canned milk, tea, sweetener, packaged stuff)
One 3 gal water bottle (I use them in water jug daily, so the 3 I have are rotated frequently)
Important papers (I'm still working on gathering those together in one place)
Phone and 12 v charger
iPad, iPod, kindle and 12 v chargers and perhaps laptop and external hard drive
Photo albums? I have 4-5 albums that do not have digitized photos.
Clothes
Personal meds and vitamins
Toiletry kit (always packed for camping)
Kitchen box (utensils, paper towels, matches, pot holders, coffee pot, plates, sharp knives, ziplock bags, trash bags, mugs) - also always packed for camping
Personal music book
Selected irreplaceable musical instruments
Gun and ammo ( does ammo go bad?)

Bedding and sheets stay in the tear, as well as tissue, TP, batteries, flashlights, stove, tools, stove and lantern fuel, bug spray, first aid kit, bear spray, fire extinguisher, first up tent with netting sides and wind sides, chairs (most stuff in outside toolbox)

What have I missed? I do have a flexible cargo bag that ties to the roof rails on the rav4 so the animals and I have room inside the vehicle.

Hugs,
Ratkity

[Wolffarmer]

Ammo can go bad but does take a long time unless it is stored in "bad" conditions. Humid of course is not good. Military ammo is better sealed and is packaged better. but often in tins of 400-1000 rounds or so depends on the round and country. One can get a good cheap Mosin Nagant from Russia/USSR and a tin of rifle ammo. Include cleaning supplies as nearly all of that ammo is corrosive. But I think that is getting really paranoid. I would say just get the amount of ammo you want. wrap it up tightly in plastic, don't want to make it bulky and pack more air with you. You probably will not need to take air with you. And then rotate it just like you should food, meds, fuel, but every 10 years or so.

Randy aka gun nut not a nut

[KCStudly]

For most intents and purposes, when kept dry, ammo does not go bad. If it is truly old (many, many tens of years) that is another story. But modern ammo should out last your camper (just don't leave it in there when not in use, for security reasons).

Again, I'm not an expert and this is the short version. Others can most certainly provide more details and opinions.

Love your diet.

[droid_ca]

The part without the wheel attaches to the rear wheel of the bike similar to this:

theWolfTamer I like this setup have you seen it before do you have more information on it..kinda curious as to what others have used it for and how much weight can be used on it before it hampers the motorcycle..
Have you considered the plans for the uni...http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/uni.pdf or the folding...http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/foldingtrailer.pdf there is also the popup camper that might give you some ideas as it has fold outs..http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear51.htmor another fold out style for a motor cyclehttp://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear40.htm or if hard walls aren't that importent you could just add a cabana ..http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/pln_campercabana.pdf...hope to see some more picture ideas that you can come up with for your design hope the links help

[GPW]

Rat, that and anything else I can stuff in the truck and Trailblazer ...Basically everything we think we can’t afford to lose ...Usually having several days to prepare , it does pile up between the both of us ... we take separate vehicles so “she” can go shopping whilst on EVAC , can’t miss out on even more shopping out of town, and a great “distraction” for her during stressful times , the more stressed she is , the more she shops ... During Katrina , she was shopping for everybody ...
Got no guns any more , just my bows and a large quiver full of arrows , no need for a gun when you’re a crack shot .. Stealth, Ninja !!! Anything offensive (or Food) that comes within 50 feet is subject to the “Black Arrow” ...
Plus I always bring my Art and art supplies so I can get in a little painting and generate a few extra bucks on the road ...

This time , if needed , we have the Foamie and the tiny TC to haul even More stuff in ...

Here’s a bike project I bought plans for , same principle .... sorta’ .. http://www.atomiczombie.com/CycleBully% ... ailer.aspx

[theWolfTamer]

The part without the wheel attaches to the rear wheel of the bike similar to this:

theWolfTamer I like this setup have you seen it before do you have more information on it..kinda curious as to what others have used it for and how much weight can be used on it before it hampers the motorcycle..
Have you considered the plans for the uni...http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/uni.pdf or the folding...http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/foldingtrailer.pdf there is also the popup camper that might give you some ideas as it has fold outs..http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear51.htmor another fold out style for a motor cyclehttp://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear40.htm or if hard walls aren't that importent you could just add a cabana ..http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/pln_campercabana.pdf...hope to see some more picture ideas that you can come up with for your design hope the links help

That is the sport bike hitch that Third Wheel Trailers uses. Something about that is patented, I'm guessing the way it locks to the wheel.

Thanks for the links to the other plans. I hadn't seen many of those. Yes I definitely want hard sides which may end up meaning the demise of using a single wheel and for me the whole MotoCamper concept. Now I have even more to do.

[GPW]

Two wheels would make things a LOT easier ... most anything possible then ...


Gosh, I gotta’ get on with my new Foamie ... I saw a stripped pop up trailer down the street at my friends house (his son’s) ... Sure would make a much nicer base for a wide foamie rather than the 54” wide boat trailer I have now , which is kinda’ high sitting to begin with ... Gonna' ramble down there later and see if I can make a deal ... Cross those fingers ...

[bonnie]

Good luck! Be sure to let us know!

[atahoekid]

GPW, I was thinking the other night what to take during a major storm evac. Since you have gone through many, what do you take?

So far on my list:
Pets
Pet food and any meds for them
Leashes, bowls, litter box, cages, brushes (I have a camp box for the dogs..just have to add cat and birdie stuff)
People food (ground coffee, instant or canned milk, tea, sweetener, packaged stuff)
One 3 gal water bottle (I use them in water jug daily, so the 3 I have are rotated frequently)
Important papers (I'm still working on gathering those together in one place)
Phone and 12 v charger
iPad, iPod, kindle and 12 v chargers and perhaps laptop and external hard drive
Photo albums? I have 4-5 albums that do not have digitized photos.
Clothes
Personal meds and vitamins
Toiletry kit (always packed for camping)
Kitchen box (utensils, paper towels, matches, pot holders, coffee pot, plates, sharp knives, ziplock bags, trash bags, mugs) - also always packed for camping
Personal music book
Selected irreplaceable musical instruments
Gun and ammo ( does ammo go bad?)

Bedding and sheets stay in the tear, as well as tissue, TP, batteries, flashlights, stove, tools, stove and lantern fuel, bug spray, first aid kit, bear spray, fire extinguisher, first up tent with netting sides and wind sides, chairs (most stuff in outside toolbox)

What have I missed? I do have a flexible cargo bag that ties to the roof rails on the rav4 so the animals and I have room inside the vehicle.

Hugs,
Ratkity

Always good to be prepared. Living in earthquake country has taught me that lesson. Remember the Northridge earthquake from a few years back? I still do. FEMA and other websites have a list of things you should stock for an emergency. You might just need to pare it down a bit so it can be hauled with you in an evacuation. I recommend keeping as much of this stuff close at hand and stored for easy get away. (in a single plastic bin, rolling trash can, etc.) I also recommend keeping some cash on hand (where you can't get to it too easily) since ATM's and credit cards don't work in the absence of electricity.

[GPW]

Worse, sometimes cell phones don’t work either .... but we could text ... ??? Hope that’s improved by now !!! I want free Ken internet on EVAC.... gotta’ stay in touch , right !!!
Make sure you deal with a bank that has locations out of town ... Your money will be locked up tight as a drum at the local homestead or S&L ... We have an EVAC account at a “national” bank .. branches in most towns.. specifically for the “adventure"... Be careful with Cash on EVAC as the “predators” will be evacuating with you ....

First of June , the wife is already packed... ready to bug out with all Her stuff ... and that’s “extensive” And she asks , why do I need two trailers .... Duh!!!!!

[atahoekid]

Yup, cell phones don't work because everyone is trying to get on at once. If you can find a landline phone and can get a dial tone, try calling someone long distance. Local lines don't work. I really don't know why, but I experienced it first hand after the Northridge quake. We could call our Chicago area relatives to let them know we were OK, but couldn't get a hold of our LA area relatives. I've been told that satellite phones would work but I don't think I can afford one. I've also been told that "Nextel" technology would work too, but forget who bought Nextel and who provides that service now??? How well would CB's work? I know there are still some hardcore devotees of Citizen Band radio and still monitor Ch 19.

[Wolffarmer]

Smoke signals

Flashing mirror

Randy