what is a foamie? I've roughly worked it out by reading the threads but it would be great to have a sticky with an explanation/example for newcomers please.Many thanks from a very intrigued British-Albertan.
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Sticky request: What's a foamie
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Sticky request: What's a foamie
by andrewbond » Sun May 03, 2015 8:24 pm
Beyond the head of a quality Scottish ale what is a foamie? I've roughly worked it out by reading the threads but it would be great to have a sticky with an explanation/example for newcomers please.
Many thanks from a very intrigued British-Albertan.
what is a foamie? I've roughly worked it out by reading the threads but it would be great to have a sticky with an explanation/example for newcomers please.Many thanks from a very intrigued British-Albertan.
- andrewbond
- Teardrop Inspector
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- Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2015 2:28 pm
Re: Sticky request: What's a foamie
by KCStudly » Sun May 03, 2015 10:00 pm
The basic idea behind a foamie is that there is minimal wood, to preclude rot, and that the strength of the wall and roof panels comes from the inner and outer skins which consist of glued on fabric, or "poor man's fiberglass". This can be likened to a SIP, or structural insulated panel.
The strength to resist bending in any structural member comes from the limits of the outer fibers and how far apart those members are placed. So by having relatively strong fibers in the outer layer, and keeping those fibers separated by a light weight, but fairly incompressible material, a very light and strong panel can be made.
For a much more technical explanation of bending resistance study up on "area moment of inertia".
Some will say that a foamie must also have a certain simplistic and thrifty quality, which is definitely an option, but, IMO, like any other build technique, the method can be used in any shape or form from basic box to elaborate and sophisticated. It is up to the designer/builder to decide what is within their scope (budget, time allotment, and skill level) and how far they want to take it.
There have been very simple box like builds with no galley or hatch; traditionally shaped TD's with hatch and two doors; rear door standies; canned ham shaped standies; and a couple of hybrids with thin wood paneled interiors. Although my own build is not complete, TPCE falls in this hybrid category and is well on its way.
Glue, canvas and paint has long been used as a deck covering on wooden boats, and several more traditional wooden TD campers have used this technique as an outer covering, but these should not be confused with a foamie. A "traditional" foamie has very little wood; perhaps just a simple plywood floor, some framing around any windows, the door and door opening to maintain durable and true surfaces for the seals; and perhaps at the hatch hinge, if equipped.
Now that said, we foamistas tend to be willing to experiment, to try new things and nontraditional approaches, so there really are no limitations; but the underlying unifier is the canvas over foam method. All other details or combinations of build methods are game.
The strength to resist bending in any structural member comes from the limits of the outer fibers and how far apart those members are placed. So by having relatively strong fibers in the outer layer, and keeping those fibers separated by a light weight, but fairly incompressible material, a very light and strong panel can be made.
For a much more technical explanation of bending resistance study up on "area moment of inertia".
Some will say that a foamie must also have a certain simplistic and thrifty quality, which is definitely an option, but, IMO, like any other build technique, the method can be used in any shape or form from basic box to elaborate and sophisticated. It is up to the designer/builder to decide what is within their scope (budget, time allotment, and skill level) and how far they want to take it.
There have been very simple box like builds with no galley or hatch; traditionally shaped TD's with hatch and two doors; rear door standies; canned ham shaped standies; and a couple of hybrids with thin wood paneled interiors. Although my own build is not complete, TPCE falls in this hybrid category and is well on its way.
Glue, canvas and paint has long been used as a deck covering on wooden boats, and several more traditional wooden TD campers have used this technique as an outer covering, but these should not be confused with a foamie. A "traditional" foamie has very little wood; perhaps just a simple plywood floor, some framing around any windows, the door and door opening to maintain durable and true surfaces for the seals; and perhaps at the hatch hinge, if equipped.
Now that said, we foamistas tend to be willing to experiment, to try new things and nontraditional approaches, so there really are no limitations; but the underlying unifier is the canvas over foam method. All other details or combinations of build methods are game.
KC
My Build: The Poet Creek Express Hybrid Foamie
Poet Creek Or Bust
Engineering the TLAR way - "That Looks About Right"
TnTTT ORIGINAL 200A LANTERN CLUB = "The 200A Gang"
Green Lantern Corpsmen
My Build: The Poet Creek Express Hybrid Foamie
Poet Creek Or Bust
Engineering the TLAR way - "That Looks About Right"
TnTTT ORIGINAL 200A LANTERN CLUB = "The 200A Gang"
Green Lantern Corpsmen
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KCStudly - Donating Member
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( It’s raining right now ) This causes all our favorite things to Rot or Rust .. A Foamie’ camper is an attempt to remove many of these problems experienced by standard campers, by using a material that is both Light ,strong enough and Rot-resistant .. Easy for most everyone to build with very basic tools , insulated for comfort , 
The only tribulations are the ones we create for ourselves 
... Foamies Work !! With very few problems and Lots of advantages 
... We can say that now because they’ve been thousands and thousands of miles traveled , and lots of camping in many different locations ... 
