Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[linuxmanxxx]

I read that the polystyrene releases gas and could cause problems if not in a compressed environment. It was one of the more technical answers way back in the foam discussions. That might explain what is happening and just might be substandard low grade polystyrene.

[TJinPgh]

Any reason why it can't simply be a structural defect in the foam?

Air bubbles that weren't eliminated during the manufacturing process? Movement and flex of the panel causing them to work their way up to the surface.

If all of the sheets of foam that have this problem were purchased at or around the same time, it could simply be a bad batch. Particularly if you've used the technique before with no issues.

[GPW]

Eagle , please inspect the bubbles on the Schmousy’ trailer and tell is what it was... in or out ... Curious !!

[eaglesdare]

oh man, that would mean i would have to cut thru the canvas. i'm sorry, i'm just not ready to do that yet. that canvas is holding it all together and its waterproofed. i have more camping to do this year.
i would like to just to see what it is, but i am afraid of making the cut thru the canvas. now if i could find a bubble that i could get to from the inside, where there is still no skin, i would cut into that part. we are preparing for a bad storm right now. they are calling for hurricane winds right now, so everything is being tied down. will check after the storm, maybe tomorrow of the next day.

[eaglesdare]

i can't remember if i have mentioned this yet or not, but prior to the destruction of the newer shell, i had to move the whole thing, (the shell was at this point sitting on the trailer), hubby tried to move the trailer by hand, but said it was too heavy (he could, but why strain). so we hooked it to my car, and i pulled it out and drove a little ways. well i have to say, i had to keep looking to see if i was really towing a trailer with a camper on top. while it may be a bit heavier than the smousey one, it tows a heck of a lot better. i always knew i was towing the little one, but this one, i had no idea at all.
just wanted to share that bit of info that you can just tuck away.

[GPW]

So the bigger trailer tows better ??? Why ? Better trailer ?
Did you check those bubbles yet , only takes a minute ? ... inquiring minds want to know ...

[GPW]

Speaking of Thrifty , a friend dropped off a roll of clear “sail” material (freebie) ... looks like a Kevlar grid on one side , clear plastic on the other (thin) ... Wonder what this could be used for ??? A Good salvage sometimes has to wait for purpose to catch up...

If I could just attach the Kevlar grid and remove/peel the plastic , I’d have some great reinforcing strips , would probably disappear under the canvas...

[TJinPgh]

How wide is the roll?

Could it be used as a moisture barrier someplace? How about between the floor and the trailer?

[GPW]

Roll is 48” wide , but the plastic is Very thin ...

[Wobbly Wheels]

Wow Glen, that's quite a score. What you're looking at is 3DL, a sandwich of aramid fibers (Kevlar) and mylar sheet. It's used exclusively in high-end race sails. The material is designed so that it will hold its shape and not 'bag out' (stretch). If you're racing at that level, you would likely bag out a conventional Dacron (nylon) sail in a season or two.
One of the boats I'm working on right now has an extra (longer) boom and a suit of 3DL sails for it....big $$.
Unless he's racing, he's using the standard boom and his Dacron sails.
The mylar is heat-sealed to itself, so you would likely make a mess trying to get it to delaminate, as that what it's meant specifically NOT to do.

I don't know of too many places where I'd use it on a foamie, but since it was free...
Maybe where you want to increase panel stiffness in tension, like on the underside of a roof to keep it from sagging ?
Is there enough to stitch an awning out of it ?
Though the incessant krinkling in the wind might drive you nuts.
That might fit with the techy, 'aviation inspired' lightening holes in the ribs...and the strealined design overall...
Usually old sails are cut up to use for sail bags, gear bags, duffels, etc. A restitched mylar bag used to be a rite of passage in sailing: everyone acquires a Dacron one after a while, but if you're lucky to be around when a 3DL sail is decommissioned...
Now of course, you can just go buy one from Sperry, Helly Hansen, etc.

Being a textile that's engineered specifically for sails, it works solely under tension.
You're going to have to play around with getting an adhesive to stick to it though.
You model guys use mylar sometimes, don't you ?

When was the last time anyone called you a model guy ?
You're welcome

[KCStudly]

Sounds like a good thing to use for reinforcing model wing spars.

How about making a high tech light weight hat?

[Johnny Swank]

Anyone dispensing with using hatch hinges and just using a EDPM or fabric hinge. If the hatch was light enough, seems like it'd stand up fine, and be one less leak point to deal with.

[TJinPgh]

Sounds like other than maybe using it as part of a sandwich component someplace (like between the foam and a piece of interior luan the best use for it is what you said... cutting it into strips and using it for reinforcement on seams.

[KCStudly]

What do you have to use or do to get something to stick to mylar? IIRC it is pretty slick, no?

[wagondude]

Is there enough to make a sail for a puddle duck racer? Maybe there's another project in your future.