FoamStream...

[atahoekid]

I'm thinking PVC pipe is easier. I would think they're consistent in size, they're easy to handle, readily available and not too expensive. My only question is since the notches pre-exist and were meant to hold a standard 1 x 2, does that notch now become a structural weak spot?

[GPW]

Thanks everybody !!! I’ve decided to get the strips cut full length ... and just round the edges where they meet a rib notch (Thanks Norm ) ... Will have to be careful to cut the stringers (longerons) to the exact width , but that shouldn’t be much a problem ... I don’t know if I trust the guy at the lumberyard , so I’ll hand pick the (5) 1X4s and go to Vinnies (guitar factory) to get them cut Exact ... The stringers will all be laid out on the floor and well marked/measured for the rib locations , so we can round the edges at that time only in the areas need it ( custom fit) ..
The floor is going to be 3 sheets of 3/4” OSB laid sideways cut to length , with the nose floor rounded to match the nose shape ... The edges of the floor will have 1X4s laid out as a bottom plate with a 1/4” deep routed notch that the rib bottom sits into ... locking the assembly together. And there will be a 3 1/2 “ ledge past that so the foam can sit on it ... Outer trim board will be added later after the skin is on .

I do like the idea of adding a PVC pipe or two , just for utilitarian purpose . And it would be a good conduit for running some simple wiring ... or just a place to hang things Just letting the imagination run wild , we envisioned using Copper or Aluminum pipes instead , and inter connecting them all , so we could pump chilled water from the Ice chest/cooler through the tubes with a 12V fountain pump , forming a rudimentary Air conditioning system ... just a thought ...

Here’s yet another drawing of the fit ...

[mezmo]

Hi GPW,

Just an FYI post. 'Came across this tonight. "Hobbit Cottage'
http://www.zoecottages.com/Products___Pricing.html
using a similar CNC rib to the Foamstream's. It appears they
just nail/screw their longerans/longitudinals along the outside.
Your let-in ones will be much stronger for 'roadworthyness'.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[bonnie]

Norm,
I love it!

Hi GPW,

Just an FYI post. 'Came across this tonight. "Hobbit Cottage'
http://www.zoecottages.com/Products___Pricing.html
using a similar CNC rib to the Foamstream's. It appears they
just nail/screw their longerans/longitudinals along the outside.
Your let-in ones will be much stronger for 'roadworthyness'.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[GPW]

Norm , that’s it !!!

[atahoekid]

That looks like it will be nice and strong. Wrapping the skin under the floor will provide great structural integrity. You'll be surprised how much more rigid the entire structure becomes when you do that. If I remember that's one of our earliest discussions on the long thread and IMO one of the basic "musts". Great Job. Time to git'er done...

[GPW]

Time , that’s always the problem eh ? When I get time , it’s raining (April showers) ... First things first ... Gotta’ get the cross members bolted to the trailer ... Dry and clear PT 2 X 4s ... We’ll paint the bottom exposed edges with the black nasty stuff prior to installation ... Since there was some mention of a chemical interaction with the bolts and PT wood ,so we’ll be slathering the black nasty stuff full length on the bolts too ... Once done , that should provide a good base to glue and screw the OSB floor to... the bottom of which will also be coated with the black roofing cement After the skin is attached underneath later on .
Trying to elevate the whole cabin enough to clear the wheels , enough for me to be able to use regular metal trailer fenders and No wheel wells in the cabin ... Sure I’ll need steps to get inside , but that’s a problem to be solved later .
I do need to get some new rims and tires , the two on there now are rubbish . Wondering what kind of tires to get ? There’s a tire place down the street , maybe I should give him a visit ? Tires and rims , I don’t have a clue ... So many choices .... The whole trailer isn’t going to weigh that much ... shooting for < 1000# ... without the ballast...


Ps. Mel , there will even be “reinforcing strips “ under the skin as it wraps under the floor .. Doublers , or triples ... it’s only canvas... and going on the old principle that twice as thick is eight times as strong , the reinforcing strips would add a great deal of strength , which I believe to have the greatest stresses in that area .. floor to wall join ...

[atahoekid]

Agree with you on that. Everything else depends on that joint. Get that right and the rest falls into place.

[GPW]

... and it’s raining ... again !!!

I’ll try to get all that exact , all the critical dimensions/locations marked on all the boards , and on the concrete floor where we’ll build the skeleton. If everything is Square (measured diagonally) , it should just pop together right on the floor (theoretically) ... interlocking with the 1 X 4 plates fixed atop the OSB .. Once done , the 3.5” X 24” X 10’ bead foam sheets just lay over that attached(glued ) only to the floor , the ribs, and themselves ... and the skin , literally holds it all together ... Like a big Twinkie in a sock ... sorta’ ...

[GPW]

Oh Great !!! Now , it’s raining every day ...

[GPW]

Rolled the rug back , got out the sidewalk chalk, tape and square... laid out the FoamStream on the Studio floor , Checked measurements against parts ... Then had the wife come and “sit in it” to try out the space ... and she Liked it ... seems there’s room for everything , even the Toad ...

[GPW]

Here’s a new accurate drawing , with measurements ...

[Ned B]

looks like it stopped raining as well!

[GPW]

Finally .... we got 17 inches in a week ...

[GPW]

Next few days of dry weather ... getting the wood tomorrow ...

OMG!!! Just had a horrible thought .... Windows With 3.5”+ thick walls , how am I going to mount the windows ??? Might have to resort to old Kustom Van stuff, if I can find any ... their trim rings were pretty deep ... Either that or make my own ... Could be Trouble ...