Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

There have been some posts on building cardboard campers/trailers so I thought I'd start a post on it.

- The 'waterproofing solution' actually comes from use in cardboard airplanes. I believe GPW talked of this.

I remember (well sorta) reading some time ago somewhere on the web about a guy in the 30's who made a cardboard camper trailer for his family to live in, as I remember there was not much detail.

Use of cardboard and fiberglass in building a small trailer.
http://microship.com/resources/cardboard-core-composites.html

http://feltondesignanddata.com/id18.html
The recipe for waterproofing cardboard (originally referenced by GPW.)


Good info on cardboard building, in this case a kayak!
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-cardboard-kayak-for-less-than-40/

Good info on cardboard building Domes
http://www.fetchaphrase.com/dome/index.html

Cardboard, fiberglass & epoxy TD.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=38781

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

Thanks Mexmo!
Interesting pic with the mining truck in that thread. I drive a truck that I think is bigger than that one. Lol

Cardboard .... Naaa!! That’ll never work ...

mezmo wrote:Cardboard, fiberglass & epoxy TD.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=38781

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

Hi all,

The cardboard and fiberglass trailer mentioned here is mine. I thought I'd let you all know that the trailer is holding up quite well. I have travelled more than 7000 km with it in the last two years, and the fiberglass is still fine! After a good wash it still looks like new, although the hinges have started to rust. Luckily that is a quick fix.

Someone asked me about flex. Well, no part of the trailer flexes at all. And even though there are no spars in the trailer, it is strong enough that I could stand on it if I would have wanted.

Thought I would just give an update...

Kind regards,

BG, excellent job !!! A Great example of yet another Thrifty alternative ...

Thanks for the update!

Hi,

Thanks. I'll be updating my build thread within the course of the evening with our photos of the trailer on our holiday to Cape town.

Kind regards,

thank you so much for stopping by and updating! i loved your camper so much i thought about doing one like it. but the fiberglassing was beyond me, then gpw mentioned the canvas covered foam, and the rest is history.

glad you are enjoying yours, would love to see more pics of your travels.

Eagle , I couldn’t help but seeing the cardboard corner reinforcement you have in the Schmousey trailer, the new wall .. I have a few pieces of that I’ve been saving, just because it was so darn TOUGH ! .... came in some type of appliance box . Now you have me wondering how that would work around door frames (or even for door frames ) and windows ... Might be readily available in the dumpster behind any appliance store ... a Freebie ... (Thrifty) , and is or can be easily made waterproof , and it probably glues well to the foam .... eliminating the wood entirely in those places ... Should cover over easily too ...

yup, i am sure it came in some appliance box. i really wished he had more of them. they are supper strong for cardboard, shocked me actually. hubby says it would make good corner bracings, but i could do that with left over foam pieces. i would really like to hold off on these cardboard pieces til i found just the right use for them.

Cardboard comes in many forms and can be really tough.

I am thinking make a form using chicken wire, then paper mache' !!!!!!!!!!!!! Could make neat rounded structures or whatever. Could use cardboard and glue it in panels then paper mache' over.
http://ultimatepapermache.com/waterproo ... pier-mache

I drive a mining truck for a living and have lots of time to think

Just read about using petroleum Jelly or Vaseline
[youtube]http://youtube/XdkuUrOw_EI[/youtube]