Mini Fithwheel Foamie for S10 pickup

[GPW]

QUOTE: " Part of the issue is that the wife is ready to drop BIG money on a commercial rig. “ ...

I hope she has lots of extra money for “routine maintenance” , proper storage out of the weather, and having her head examined later on ...
You might have her actually sit down and read some of the RV forums , where they complain bitterly , and spend even more money to fix problems that should have never happened in the first place ... All about the PROFIT ... The Evil RV Trailer Empire ...

And when it breaks , will SHE fix it or is that your responsibility ...


Apologies , I don’t mean to be harsh, but I’ve been there ( got totally “screwed” ) ... You can have her contact me and I’d be glad to explain the reality of it to her...

[ebutler]

Well I am going to attempt to build my mini fifth wheel trailer. Gonna be a goose neck instead of fifth wheel though.
Having pulled all types of trailers for over 250,000 miles I like the goose neck best, easier to back and pull but a little harder to connect because you have to be spot on with the ball.
Elmo

[ghcoe]

Part of the issue is that the wife is ready to drop BIG money on a commercial rig.

Is she ready to drop big money or charge big money? Adding debt is slavery to the banks. Then there would have to be full coverage insurance costs, storage cost, as well as the maintenance cost mentioned above. It will end up costing a lot more than building it yourself. Tell her this and then tell her that building it yourself will save you money so that you can actually have money to go places instead of sending it to the bank and insurance office..... Not to mention it will be a lot cheaper to build it yourself than purchasing a premade unit.

[atahoekid]

Guys I hear you perfectly but some battles take a long time to win. I just need to keep nibbling at the edges till I convince her. As I think I mentioned earlier, there are two issues. home built vs commercial and fifth wheel vs. trailer. I'm going after the home made vs. commercial argument and everything you mention is more ammunition for me

[kc7wzl]

this is how I won my debate on bought vrs home build... I showed her all the costs ( including having to buy a new TV and its costs )... then I told her the day you can park one of those big bought ones your self and fix every thing that may go wrong then buy all means buy it.. till then nope not buying it!


I loaded up the slide in pop up camper and proceeded to teach her how to parallel park using only the side mirrors. and then I took the little red box camp trailer and made here do some maneuvers with it ( did this in a friends old field ).


after that.. there is no debate... she will say it must have big bed, commode, and a few thing like that.. but the rest is left to me. because she learned I am the one that repairs it, and puts up with the rest of it.

[PKCSPT]

I am just saying if my husband offered to build me a camper after doing such great job on a teardrop I would be jumping all over it. I love homemade things and you do great work.

[mezmo]

I just came across this smaller 5th Wheel article:

http://www.starling-travel.com/2013/04/ ... #more-3415

Maybe it could help give a starting point for those interested in such, in Foamie guise.

Just remember, it's harder to crawl into bed when one's bones get older...


Later on an Update:

'Just found another one, this one is fiberglass and has tandem axles:

http://www.starling-travel.com/2013/02/ ... s-trailer/

[ebutler]

Thanks for the reply, those trailers look neat. I know what you are saying about older bones! I am 67 and still can put up rafters and crawl around on top of a building and put the roofing on for now just don't know how much longer that will last.
Elmo

I just came across this smaller 5th Wheel article:

http://www.starling-travel.com/2013/04/ ... #more-3415

Maybe it could help give a starting point for those interested in such, in Foamie guise.

Just remember, it's harder to crawl into bed when one's bones get older...


Later on an Update:

'Just found another one, this one is fiberglass and has tandem axles:

http://www.starling-travel.com/2013/02/ ... s-trailer/

[GPW]

EB, here’s a couple pics of the bent’ ... not much different from a fifth wheeler frame , just half of it ...

[ebutler]

Looks good GPW.
Elmo

[GPW]

Thanks Elmo , I was just thinking two frames something like that , joined in the middle might serve as a 5 wheel frame ...

I need to make a better back support for the bent , the current one is not that comfortable .. The bike would look better “motorized” ... One day , I’d like to make a soft tail version , as this one gives me teeth rattling , bone jarring , "retinal detachment" on my bumpy dirt road ... must keep to paved roads Only

[atahoekid]

I just came across this smaller 5th Wheel article:

http://www.starling-travel.com/2013/04/ ... #more-3415

Maybe it could help give a starting point for those interested in such, in Foamie guise.

Just remember, it's harder to crawl into bed when one's bones get older...


Later on an Update:

'Just found another one, this one is fiberglass and has tandem axles:

http://www.starling-travel.com/2013/02/ ... s-trailer/

That size trailer is the inspiration for Foamie 5'er. The Quantum 5 looks about perfect though I doubt you need tandem axles. I like the slope at the nose but it limits headroom and requires crawling into bed. That won't fly in my household. "She who must be obeyed" just had knee replacement surgery, so no crawling for her.

As with all 5'ers the issue is dealing with the "sail" up front and the drag that it creates. Maybe a pop up section over the bedroom? It would have to be solid walls though for me to be happy. Just tossing around ideas at this point....

[ebutler]

Look at the seat on the seat on the last pic in my album. That seat is comfortable for a 100 mile ride. It is the best seat I have ever sat on a bike. Feels as if it is suspended. If you would like to make one like it I will try to get the specs for you. The seat surface is a strong mesh laced in grommets on the back with bungee cord. Feels almost as good as my recliner.

[quote="GPW"]Thanks Elmo , I was just thinking two frames something like that , joined in the middle might serve as a 5 wheel frame ...

I need to make a better back support for the bent , the current one is not that comfortable .. The bike would look better “motorized” ... One day , I’d like to make a soft tail version , as this one gives me teeth rattling , bone jarring , "retinal detachment" on my bumpy dirt road ... must keep to paved roads Only [/qu

[mezmo]

Here's a link for a Bigfoot single axle 5thWheel:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f80/ ... 57929.html

I'm sure you might find at least another one if you peruse the Bigfoot thread, I'm
out of time at the moment, but I think I did see at least one other one.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[mezmo]

Hey mel/atahoekid,

Check out the Kamp King Sky Lounge PU Camper:
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 2248_n.jpg

http://www.starling-travel.com/2012/11/ ... #more-2265

by McNamee Coach Corp. They were built with thin SIPS - ply-foam-ply-aluminum siding.

Just do your own version of the Sky Lounge with rear fold-out bed as a mini-5th wheel. Size the front
to coincide with the PU cab top as it'll fold-up for use.

Here are some more links I had handy:
A Kamp King Brochure page: [Click on pic for a larger view.]
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... t=1&ref=nf
Another pic:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater
Pic of KK with Sky Lounge and rear foldout:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater
Even A Version for a Studebaker Wagoneer:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater and
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater


Cheers,
Norm/mezmo