Please tell me what a foamie is?!?!

[tscarbroughdc]

I have searched this site and have yet to find a thread addressing what a foamie is exactly!

Thanks for explaining it to me!

[grantstew8]

I'm building a plywood at the moment and would love to build a version 2 using foam. It allows more flexibility with regards shape.

As far as I can understand the structure is shaped foam (EPS XPS or PU) that is then coated with fiberglass. This composite panel then is strong and rigid. (I have a SIPS panel background)

The concept of strength is explained here (ignore the honeycomb bit....)
http://nida-core.com/spanish/nidaprod_honeyinfo_sandwich.htm

Here are a couple of build logs that helps illustrate the concept.
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=43647
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=55985&p=1015523&hilit=foamie#p1015523


Good luck!

[GPW]

T , you need to read the BIG thread (Thrifty Alternatives) .. That’s like the “History Channel” of Foamies' ... how it began and evolved... the pros and cons .. and so much more ...

[tscarbroughdc]

Awesome! Thanks...Ill check it out!

[GPW]

Get comfortable , it’s a rather loooong and thorough read , with a few assorted off topic ramblings .... and pet pictures ... But then you’ll know as much as we know ...

[tscarbroughdc]

You arent KIDDING! Very long!

I was just looking for an explanation like "its built with a wood floor and foam insulation walls" or something! lol...

I looked at it and there were quite a few abbreviations that I didnt understand...Or maybe they are peoples names!!! haha...I saw GPW, so I assume that wasnt an abbreviation for some chemical...I assume that was you! lol...

[swampjeep]

the basics are this
steel trailer
major structure is foam, with any "skin" to give the structure strength.

there is talk of both wood, and of foam core floors and walls, but most here have used ply wood for floors
the skin has varied from old bed sheets painted on, to canvas glued, then painted, fiber glass, thin plywood, aluminium... you name it

no wrong answer, if it works for you...

[KCStudly]

The main idea is to make it simple, and light by using the inner and outer skins as structural elements, therefore requiring less internal structural wood. This has the benefit of being rot resistant (fully sealed with less wood to rot) and has the potential to be thrifty (less materials to buy, no costly aluminum skin, and, if you use canvas and glue, no costly glass and epoxy to deal with).

Variations include using fiberglass and epoxy outer skin; using thin (1/8 inch or 5 mm) inner ply instead of fabric; and now someone is considering using aluminum over the fabric skin (for the traditional look).

I refer to my build, TPCE, as a hybrid because I am using the 5 mm inner ply skins and am building traditional style wooden cabinets (although the cabinet frames are integral structure in place of several spars).

There are also several traditional stick built and plywood campers that have been covered with the glue/canvas/paint skin, but these are not foamies, per se.

So, IMO, a foamie is any camper that uses foam cores to separate the inner and outer wall skins, and there are no wooden outer panels (at least not the major ones... roof and side walls).

[GPW]

A foamie’ is just an idea .. What it means to each of You is all that’s important !!!