FoamStream...

[mezmo]

Hi GPW,

Here's a link to the German Smart-Caravan's web site's development
page. It shows their prototype [much smaller than Foamstream] that
looks to be done out of foam and probably fiberglass. Not a full 1/4
sphere top though. Anyway, passed along for what it's worth.

http://www.smart-camper.com/html/entwicklung.htm

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[GPW]

Thanks , that is pretty Cool !!! Thinking the 1/4 sphere won’t be a problem , just another design challenge to overcome ...

Figuring worse comes to worse , I can always just bend up a couple extra ribs to fit that area and then just overlay them with a couple layers of thinner more bendable foam ... much like aircraft construction ... The thinner foam (1/2â€

[mezmo]

Hi GPW,

Ya never know what you'll find wandering around the web - how about
a mini sauna bike trailer!?! It uses the radius bent metal framing and
fabric for the front like we've been talking about. Quite an ingenious build
from a fabrication standpoint. It's at least a built example of that style front
on a smaller scale.

http://www.automotto.com/gallery/bike-sauna/#
http://www.automotto.com/entry/portable ... ing-haven/

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[GPW]

Norm , Thanks , that’s pretty Cool ( er Hot) !!!

[GPW]

The FoamStream idea is still on the back burner .... Thinking about ribs ... again ... That’s the only holdup ... Just can’t decide ... Thinking the original steam bent wood (Conestoga style) would be the Best ... Have figured how to bend half ribs (8’ long), just need to join them in the center top with a long wide stringer ... that would work ... Just need 14 of them ... Since I’ll be using them on 24â€

[GPW]

Further thoughts on the “ribs" and looking at the Vintage conestoga plans ... What about Not using ribs at all ... It would be entirely possible to use the front and back , and inside formers (foam ) , notched for the stringers , and just glue the foam outside to the stringers ... Simple !!! The overall tube shape would give the entire structure plenty of strength , the skin/sock would hold it all together and all I’d have to do is put a small reinforcing strip of fabric over the inner seams where foam meets foam .. the strips would cross over the stringers too , further tying the structure together ...
This totally eliminates the only problem , which was those darn ribs ... and, saving a lot of work/expense making them ...

I’ll work on some drawings and see how this falls out ... Sure would be a LOT easier to do it this way ..

[GPW]

Here’s some former designs ... all foam (save the door framing) ... Easy ..

[eaglesdare]

i can't wait for the designing to stop and the building to start.

[GPW]

Well Eagle , you know, the more thinking we do Before building , usually produces Better results later ... Just the last two pieces of the puzzle ... solving the rib dilemma , and finding a way to cut precise and quick kerfs , enables us to proceed without fabrication problems ... Now I need to spend a small fortune on foam Thinking I’ll need about 15 sheets of foam or more to pull off the foam Stream ...Will hopefully be buying it wholesale , and the more I get the cheaper it gets ... (usually) ...
I have a sheet of 1/4â€

[mezmo]

Hi GPW,

The foam 'formers' seem like another good approach - especially with
your experience with the foam based RC planes.

One question though - what are you going to do for the hard points for
mounting interior fittings and such? Maybe you could sandwich the
interior 'formers' with 1/4in ply or just glue in a strip of that at the needed
heights and/or locations on the walls-roof and then cover that with the
interior fabric and TT2 etc.? Jut trying to find a way to accomplish hard
points without a lot of tedious locating and such.

Happy thinking. Happy planning.

Cheers,
norm/mezmo

[GPW]

Norm , the many stringers would be all the attachment points ... Thinking 1â€

[mezmo]

GPW,

"Ah So!"! I didn't realize you were planning on wooden stringers
a la the bow top vardos. [I thought you were going for all foam, even
for them.] It makes good sense, especially as it eliminates having to do a
bunch of individual hard points in the foam. Are you going to wrap the
fabric over them or have them stand proud of the fabric-over-the-foam?

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[eaglesdare]

you know i am just teasing you.

[GPW]

Norm just proud of the foam . like wood trim ... but the foam will be glued to the backs of the stringers... stringers glued to the formers , formers fabric covered (probably bed sheets )
Eagle , teasing who ?

[atahoekid]

OK GPW, you should be ashamed of yourself. I'm not even done with the Road Foamie and you got my mind thinking about the next build.

You're an evil human being!! If this keeps up my wife will insist I join you at the Trailers Anonymous meeting... "Hi, My name is Mel and I've been addicted to trailers for several years now....."