Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[atahoekid]

Was planning on using my full size Select Comfort mattress plus a long wedge of foam to increase size to approx queen size... It'll beat the heck out of sleeping on the ground in a tent.

Yes it does. I built my Road Foamie so 1) I wouldn't have to pitch a tent ever again and 2) so I wouldn't have to sleep on the ground... I am now the proverbial Happy Camper!

[Mary C]

I am Happy Camper too!! My mattress is a single truck bed inspring mattress with a 3 inch truck foam topper . I have another mattress I have been using till I get the Grits finished. It will be like a bed but if I plan to stay in it for 2 - 3 months I want to be comfortable.

Mary C.

[mezmo]

Hey GPW,

Since you are interested in PVC as a structural component,
I came across a website that may be useful to you and anyone
else looking into it:
http://www.formufit.com/?gclid=CPH7z-OA ... OgodvRgAlA

This was especially interesting RE UV resistance:
http://www.formufit.com/what-is-furniture-grade-pvc/

This should be useful too:
http://www.formufit.com/pvc-101/

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[GPW]

Norm , now if they only made square tubing ... Thanks for the info !!!

[jrjr]

I am about to build myself a wooden trailer but have been reading your foamy thread with interest. I ran across this which I thought you all might find interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnOegaOKu38


Here's my first thread, perhaps you might have some input

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=59944

[GPW]

jrjr, that video’s become a standard , but from lots of testing , the TB2 is much better for sticking the canvas to the foam ... The Gripper is a great Primer , and seems to stick foam to foam just fine given enough time to dry .. which can be considerable when laminating big sheets of foam ...
IflyRC2, foamie electrics (naturally)

Have you seen this ... ? http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/modelairplane.pdf (Old Timer)

[jrjr]

Yup I have seen that one. Pretty cool especially for the vintage.
I fly some foamies too but need the trailer more for giant scale gas planes.....
We fly mostly foam in the winter time inside gyms but now that good weather is here, I am tired of the gas smell in my car already. My 30% kisses the dash of my HHR and the tail just fits to close the hatch. The trailer will be a welcomed addition to the fleet!

[GPW]

Giant Scale ... that does require a trailer or a big truck ... A foamie’ trailer large enough should be no problem , and it won’t weigh a lot ... Plus you have a camper to sleep in at fly ins , so you never have to leave the flight line ...

[Mary C]

I have somewhat of a silly question If I make a plain shelf at the front of the inside of my Grits, using foam as the actual shelf and 1x2s for the frame to sit on could I use canvas with industrial hook and loop as a drop or raise up from bottom as doors? do you think the canvas will be sturdy enough with the hook and loop to keep things in the shelf? The shelf would be used for clothes, Towel, and other light weight things.

Just thinking

Mary C.

[GPW]

Sounds like another “test” Mary ... The HD velcro is pretty strong , but may not hold up to repeated usage , but then it might ?

[Mary C]

Well I could always replace them with snaps. I just got to thinking about doors and the weight of it all . I am trying to keep the weight down. Now the question is closure at the top or at the bottom? I am still working how to do it. the design.

thanks GPW

Mary C.

[bonnie]

I have somewhat of a silly question If I make a plain shelf at the front of the inside of my Grits, using foam as the actual shelf and 1x2s for the frame to sit on could I use canvas with industrial hook and loop as a drop or raise up from bottom as doors? do you think the canvas will be sturdy enough with the hook and loop to keep things in the shelf? The shelf would be used for clothes, Towel, and other light weight things.

Just thinking

Mary C.

If you are using the canvas only, I'd sew the hook and loop onto it. The hook and loop will hold, but sometimes the glue fails. This technique is used for certain types of sofa cushions and such.

[Mary C]

Bonnie, I have about 6 yards of the velcro of different lengths and widths glued and sewing type. and I was thinking I would sew it on. would you have the close at the bottom or top? I was thinking of having three pieces for the doors with the sides with hook and loop also or maybe just use magnet tape on the sides. I don't know just brain storming. ............

Mary C.

[KCStudly]

I think canvas cabinet doors is a great idea, and if I decide I want cabinet closures I just might have to steal that idea! You could even include lashings so that you can roll up the doors and tie them open.

I kind of like the idea of the twist type studs that Mel (atahoekid) posted recently in thread about rear barn doors; more specifically about his canopy. That way you could flip them up, down, or remove them completely. Snaps would be good, as well.

Light weight, easy to make and install, and easy to alter if you change your mind. Nothing to worry about which way "the door" swings, nor what it will hit or get in the way of when it does.

I had thought about cargo mesh, but I like this idea better.

[Mary C]

Hey I like the Idea about putting a way to roll them up and secure them with ties. KC you are smart too!!! I can build now, I have been putting it off because I didn't know how to finish but I know now. I am going to make a T only short down and very long sides with 1x2s I can sew a pocket and slide it on the arms connect the 1bys to the ends and done!!!! I can wrap the bottom 1x2 and sew on the hook and loops to the bottom. got it!!!! Now I just gotta get busy!!! Thanks everyone!!!

Mary C.