Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I have been searching old threads but have not found what I want. I am interested in a wood folding flat picnic table, similar to this one viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33744. I did not want to make it from 3/4 or larger plywood, I was thinking of laminated 1/2 xps with luan on both sides. I figured it would weight half as much 20# vs 40#, thought of using gripper or titebond to make a 7/8" panel and cut from down there.
I was also leaning toward this one https://www.instructables.com/id/Flat-p ... nic-Table/
Any thoughts, I made one panel for my 3d printer to bolt down to and was impressed with lightness and strength.

I'd make it out of just foam first, then skin it after. Don't think luan would stand up to the wear & tear myself, unless encapsulated in epoxy or something.

Did you want it to **look** woodish?

Those mystery-van videos' technique using gripper + screening for strength, then varnished brown-paper as an aesthetic skin always intrigued me. . .

I like a more rustic wood type look. I am planning on building a Grubby 2 camp kitchen box this winter. I have been playing with foam and like the light weight but not the look I'm going for. My foam cabinet was just to test a paper bag finish and covering technique. The idea is, down the road add it to a foamie trailer. I checked some plywood weights and they are about 60# for 3/4" sheets. I built a $30 laun beater boat and it lasted many years for river cruises so I feel I could coat it well enough. I was wondering if anybody did foam lamination otherwise I have to be the guinea pig.

You may First consider making a small “test” piece of furniture to see if your ideas work .. Maybe something like a Teardrop Ottoman … or a small stool to SIT on … ( another test) ..

Have you got a link to your PMF cabinet build?

So luan it is. You thinking finished edges too? I'd probably go screen and/or canvas edging, with strong (urethane or epoxy?) paint whatever color you like,

glue pre-stained luan on the flats,

and finally encapsulate all 'round in a strong clearish sealant (urethane or epoxy?) coating.

IMO more durable than trying to laminate the edges in luan, and not trying for a full faux-solid wood effect, more of a "modern composites" look.

Would need to take the outer coating thickness into account in the fit-together slot dimensions.

Maybe a tough slippery plastic strip between those mount points where you'd usually get friction-wear, would probably help longevity and prevent wobbling.

I have plans to build laminated countertop extensions for my teardrop. I am planning on using 1/8” plywood with Formica(that looks like petrified wood) for the tops and 1/8 inch plywood for the bottoms. I am hoping to hold quite a bit of weight on mine so I am using three-quarter by three-quarter angle aluminum 1/20 inch thick, as supports along the length and around the edges to hold screws for the hinged leg and swingout mounts. I plan to use 1/2” Dow Styrofoam in blue found at my local Lowe’s. As far as gluing it I plan to spray/roll Bullseye Primer and once it’s fully dried use Weldwood contact cement, like regular laminate countertop installation.

Xan, sounds like a good, strong and light taple top. I did a glue up on a seat suport to see it its worth while, I'll give it a couple days to dry and test it.
John, I have a couple pictures of it under foamie cabinet thread, three or four down from this thread. I did not use canvas on it, trying different building technique. I am not dead set on luan it may be easier to use 3/4" ply and swiss cheese it.

The light weight of foam is addicting, that is why I am trying to build everything as light as I can. Why do we need to put 20# of clothes in a 200# dresser then build a trailer around it?

“ The light weight of foam is addicting, that is why I am trying to build everything as light as I can. Why do we need to put 20# of clothes in a 200# dresser then build a trailer around it? “

That’s the whole point ...

Yes with the foam / canvas cabinet work, a full wraparound overhead + kitchen + storage cubbies along one wall,

total added weight was under 35lbs.

I know you're looking for a DIY table but we really like our roll table.



It's quick to deploy and doesn't take up much space while traveling. Of course, it requires a couple of camp chairs scooted up to it. (But ya gotta have camp chairs, eh?)



Tony

tony.latham wrote:I know you're looking for a DIY table but we really like our roll table.



It's quick to deploy and doesn't take up much space while traveling. Of course, it requires a couple of camp chairs scooted up to it. (But ya gotta have camp chairs, eh?)



Tony

Who eats with a wrench?

Pmullen503 wrote:

tony.latham wrote:I know you're looking for a DIY table but we really like our roll table.



It's quick to deploy and doesn't take up much space while traveling. Of course, it requires a couple of camp chairs scooted up to it. (But ya gotta have camp chairs, eh?)



Tony

Who eats with a wrench?

I cook with one. Channel Locks make for a great Dutch oven lid lifter.



T


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I did an xps foam and Baltic birch 3mm plywood table for my build dinette. I can dance on it when it is in bed mode. It is 1 inch thick total. Used PL premium as glue.

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I was looking at something like this,

https://www.amazon.com/Outsunny-Portabl ... ble+travel

I did a small cross board layup and it came out very strong, 7/8" thick. I may spend the next month doing other laminate boards and see how the table progresses. If a certain board turns out weaker maybe replace it with ply.

Thank you Tony, you made things a lot easier. Its nice when people present different ideas as possibilities. I started scaling up the picnic table and figuring what I was going to need. I would have to buy 2 more 4x8 luan sheets and 1/2" foam sheet to build it. I had enough for the table top only and thought I would start there. Then thinking of Tony's roll up and camp chairs realized he was right. I had a base I just built, make the top with what I had, add camp chairs and I'm done. No sense in bringing more stuff that's not needed. I appreciate every ones input. I have enough stuff to build.