Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[KCStudly]

The counter face frame to side wall foam looks like it may have been a fit up issue. I'd try to spread it out a bit, scrape the paint, squeeze some GG in there and use a long pipe clamp with some pieces of wood under the jaws to spread the load out and squeeze the two walls together while the glue sets.

The second picture is not as clear, but it looks like maybe the hatch skin separating from the hatch spars?

[tac422]

Louella,
It was nice meeting you and your dogs this weekend.
Thank you for inviting us and showing us around.
My wife and I look forward to starting our build thread soon.

[KCStudly]

Welcome Tac422. Might I offer some advice? Start by reading all of the Build Journals that you can stand.

If you are daring and/or have a good understanding of how modern materials can be put to good effect, or just need to build light to suit a small tow vehicle (TV), then study the Foamie section well and start at the beginning of this thread (I know, it is long and arduous, but it's full of good info and will give you the background that you will need to understand the beginning of "the modern foamie movement".

The Teardrop Construction Tips & Techniques section has a plethora of info, be sure to read all of the stickies at the top of each section.

If you are new to towing and trailer stuff, make sure to read as much of the Trailer and Chassis Secrets section as you can stand.

Again, welcome to the wonderful journey of TNTTT.

[GPW]

Eagle , foam to wood join and no reinforcing strip ... ?

Tac... WELCOME !!!

[eaglesdare]

Hey now, I know you are NOT rolling your eyes at me mister!
All the minor issues though will be easy to fix.

It was really nice to meet you tac also. Hope you got some great ideas and start a build.


It does turn out we had a thief amongst us. But someone's truck was robbed, wallets stolen, while all were asleep. A shame that folks have to stoop to that.

[GPW]

OUOTE: “ I don't have any interest in finishing my foamie. “ .... Yes , those were the words of our Fearless Leader... Big Mike !!! And he’s giving it away ...
This is a big blow to the Foamie' movement !!! Anybody got a clue why ???

Eagle , I blame the reinforcing oversight on your assembly crew... certainly not you ... but the contractor ultimately gets the blame eh ? It would appear there is no “skin” wrapping over onto the wood ... as you have it now , it all depends on the foam to wood glue joint , and that’s probably not enough to support long term stresses... Some scrap canvas reinforcing strips added over that area , inside and outside , should prevent any further problems ... The Good thing is , you now know where the stress points are , and can beef them up accordingly ...

Thieves... a crime of opportunity .... lock up your stuff , lock the truck , what a shame ! What were the guard dogs doing .... ??? ZZZZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZZZ !!!!

[eaglesdare]

I don't think the ones that were robbed had a dog. And really for the most part, most of these dogs are well behaved and used to people coming and going. So some would not alert that someone was near anyway. One time Simba and I were taking a nap inside the foamie, someone came up and went thru my hatch, not a word out of Simba. Slept right thru it. I do know who the person was, so that part was ok. Now other times, Simba will run you off of his site, so it depends on the mood the dogs are in.

I think both my problem areas will be resolved with just a screw or two and more gg. Once a screw is added in the mix its a tough bond, even in foam to foam sections.

I don't know why Mike isn't interested in finishing. Really a shame. He was on his way to a great build. Its all good though, foamies aren't for all, but for the one that will get his will be lucky. Heck I would trade for my carry on trailer for his.

[GPW]

Just a suggestion for some extra skin ...

[GPW]

Eagle , seems you have designs on Mike’s foamie !!! That would be Cool eh ... keep it in the "family” ... Seems he was almost done ...

[eaglesdare]

Oh I would love to take his!!!!!!!!! It really is very similar to a Tab (I love tabs). I just finished reading his build thread and he did not make a hatch. Oh the possibilities of finishing his up on the inside. Nice and big and my hubby could probably sleep inside with me and the dogs. He sleeps now in a tent with one pup. My foamie is just right for 1 plus a dog.

[GPW]

Yep !!! Sounds the same as around here ... I get the dog and the pup tent ...

Bigger would be nice ...

[wagondude]

Too many irons in the fire for Mike, it seems. The Rock Hopper is what he is committed to right now. Work and running the forum probably leave little time for anything else. It would be awesome if Eagle could work out the trade.

[GPW]

It would be huh !!! Mike already did a Lot of the work ...just a few finishing touches left ...
Sometimes if a trade is not equitable between both parties , the offer of Coin usually works .... just sayin’ ...

[eaglesdare]

Mike is already in negotiations with another. Its all good though. The one who gets this camper is going to be the lucky one. I am not sure my car could pull Mike's anyway. It looks pretty heavy.

[GPW]

Well then , you’ll just have to start on your New one eh !!! Got your layout planned ? Have you made any “drawings” , taken any measurements ...brushed up on your supervisory skills ... .... Now is the time to build what you really really want !!! You already have a trailer ...

And of course , help will always be available here at Foamwarts' for those who ask ...