Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

Randy , living in New Orleans , a bulletproof trailer takes on a whole new meaning ...
Had a thought of putting lattice strips over the FoamStream ribs ... That would have worked ... but was far removed from the main objective , light , well insulated , and No Rot ... Putting the strips on a diagonal and then putting more on top perpendicular ( like an X ) to the others would have been ridiculously strong ... but a lot of work .

Jack , like PVC paint ...

[Jack B.]

What about the plastic (I seem to have trouble remembering how to spell vinyl) lattice? Strong, flexible (in one direction at least) and although not altogether cheap - long lasting. Build your shape, cover with fabric and paint to taste. Not too pretty on the inside but since we're all about the glam, just make the outside spectacular. Just sayin' . . .

Jack

[Mary C]

Ok , I am ready to build the foam box to go on top of the wood base on top of the trailer, The problem: I have to have it done in two weeks. I have been working some so it is going to be a rush job. It wont be finished but I need to get to Houston as soon as possible.

Mary C.

[Jack B.]

Get the sides, get the top, get the fabric on the outside as sturdy as it needs to be, paint it and worry about the inside finish work later. Throw some blankies and pillows in and you're set.

I would think the door would be the most time consuming and difficult task you'll be facing. In a pinch cut it out and use it as a removable plug. And if you're going to Houston in early June you might just want to make a door frame shaped screen insert for air flow.

I'm pretty sure you know what you want the finished product to be, so keep that in mind as you go. Some of the detail work like the interior will be harder if you don't get to do them as you go round the first time, but hey - it's foam. How hard can it be to whittle away some stuff on the inside to make what you want happen later on? And if a chunk just has to go it's easy to make a plug for a wall or roof. After all, isn't that what doors and windows are?

It's like jumping off a cliff. Leap and learn. And there's the added benefit that there probably won't be any broken legs or rocky rapids to float through at the bottom of this jump.

Jack

[Jack B.]

Questions time.

The beaded white foam sheets which are considerably cheaper than the pink or blue - Are they good/strong enough for sidewall use for our purposes? I'm thinking inch and a half for wall thickness unless there's a big reason to go two. Insulation values aren't an issue.

I know from previous experience that they're very messy to cut, what with the little beads, chips and dust flying around and static clinging to everything within range. So next question - Does the hot wire cutting method make the whole slice and dice process easier and cleaner? I don't mind making messes. I just hate cleaning them up.

Jack

[GPW]

Jack , you certainly have the right Spirit’/attitude for this ....

I’m using beaded foam on the FoamStream ... I’ll be using 3.5” thick sheets , because I want the superior insulation factor , a little more Bulk , and I'll have a little extra thickness to sand and round as needed .. this is the 2 lb/cu.ft. density bead board , not the lighter “shipping" kind so is pretty sturdy (same density as the Blu and Pink ) ... but it is Messy .... and the foam dust and beads stick to EVERYTHING , skin , clothes ,hair ... static electricity ... just the nature of the beast ... (Blu and Pink really aren't any better , the dust is just finer) Surprisingly , the beaded board foam sends very well , not gouging out beads as we thought ,.... easy to get a smooth surface ... all thoroughly tested on those paddleboards ...

[Mary C]

I think I am going to try a build thread. This is a test picture ready to begin!!!

Mary C.

[KCStudly]

Excellent, Mary.

I find if I hit "enter" before I add the photo link it reads a little easier in the final post. Just a suggestion.

[GPW]

Yet another Thrifty Alternative ... Fiberglass drywall tape .... Since I’m going to be joining large foam panels , some of which will be kerfed and bent , was thinking about using the FDT over the seams as a “reinforcement” before skinning ... held down with the Gripper ... That should provide a lot of strength and be invisible under the skin ... Just a bit of “overbuilding” but cheap and easy ... a little more “insurance” of maintaining foam integrity during application , and maybe the possibility of a better finish ... especially with the beaded foam ...

Been waiting to try this stuff , a big roll is < 10 bucks ... very strong and thin . If I need more than will just double up on it ...

Tried regular Fiberglass tape on the little Foamie , and it was waaay overkill , much More than we really needed ... and a bit thick too ...and expensive ...

[Wobbly Wheels]

I picked up a roll of it a while ago (to actually use it with drywall and started thinking the same thing. It doesn't really seem to want to bend sideways (like over an outside corner) but for the price I'm sure it's worth figuring out how to use it, even if it's just as seam reinforcement on panels like you're planning.
It ought to suck up a lot less paint than the glass mat tape that's under the camo.

I'm interested to see how it works for you because I'll have a bunch leftover when my little drywall project's done.

[Bogo]

You can even get the fiberglass drywall tap in large sheets used for patching.

[GPW]

Big sheets ? Naa Unh ?? That’s very Cool ... have to check that out .... Funny , never thought of using it for drywall...

[linuxmanxxx]

Hey Glen I'm alive. Got side tracked by a job but that's done so now I can catch up. What you calling the gripper?

[Wolffarmer]

Hey Glen I'm alive. Got side tracked by a job but that's done so now I can catch up. What you calling the gripper?

Gliden Gripper, a primer from them, Gliden/Glidon how ever they speel it

[GPW]

Steve , glad to hear from you .... was wondering if it was something I said .... ....