Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[Jack B.]

So G, do you think that if you build a framework with the trailer curves it could be used as the form to heat bend the foam around? Perhaps using ratchet or seat belt type straps to do the bending slowly as heat is applied? Would have to figure how to attach the foam to the framework until canvas could be attached. For sure would have to do a different approach to applying the covering fabric. Would probably also have to work with thinner sheets of foam in layers for much of any arc of curvature.

Jack

[Jack B.]

Looking at the pix I found (see above) it looks like they've simplified the design. There are no compound curves to deal with. The nose curve is horizontal around the vertical. Then the top is flat and just comes down to meet the nose on an angled plain. Yes the curve has to slant upwards on the outside but it's still a flat edge to attach the roof panel to. You could probably curve the top panel down by cutting the curved nose panel sides in an arc which would give a much smoother and "polished" look to things.

The S. American version with its curved side walls should be easy enough as well, as long as you don't want the roof to curve. Again the top panels could also most likely have a bit of arc added as in the nose section. Rounding the edge joints is no problem which would also help with giving things a more professional and finished look.

I love the curved windows they use. I can see how to do it if you don't want them to be openable. hey have very clear plastics in large sheets at the big box stores that are used for out building roof light ports.

Jack

[GPW]

Jack, foam bends quite easily when heated to 190F , and a frame would be easy to bend around as long as the bend areas are supported ... We’ve only made simple heat bends , but others have actually heat formed compound curves... Many possibilities to explore ...

[Jack B.]

So just how thick have the pieces you've successfully bent been. It seems that over an inch would be a problem, but since I've not tried any bending yet it all could just be anti-wishful thinking on my part. It would be sweet to be able to do an inch and a half or more wouldn't it now?

Jack

[Wolffarmer]

I have bent 1' thick into a radius of less than 10 inches, maybe a lot less. This just testing, no construction. That tight of a radius you should do over a form as the area between supports will go concave on you. That is all I have tried and like I said it was only a test. might not work in a construction. Spring back and all.

Randy

[GPW]

It should be entirely possible to bend 2” thick foam if uniformly heated... I’ve bent 1” with a heat gun ... no spring back once cooled ...
A friend mentioned large heating blankets (industrial) being available ... That would probably work , that or a large tank of near boiling water ...

[Wolffarmer]

It should be entirely possible to bend 2” thick foam if uniformly heated... I’ve bent 1” with a heat gun ... no spring back once cooled ...
A friend mentioned large heating blankets (industrial) being available ... That would probably work , that or a large tank of near boiling water ...

And a big water bottle

[GPW]

Heat bending thick foam may be a challenge for the Thrifty home shop , but we know kerfing works (just Messy) ... and with a little bit of heat , the bending the kerfed foam should be even easier ... and retain that shape ... Odd , this doesn’t work as well with the bead board ... Must be the weaker adhesion of the beads to each other ...

[Mary C]

I am not wanting to bend foam right now and anyway we have beat this horse earlier "paint booth with electrical heaters aimed at the foam. big enough to bend 2-4 inch foam and just enough to make you crispy.

Mary C.

[Corwin C]

Has anyone tried a wallpaper steamer?

[GPW]

Hmmm? wallpaper steamer .... that should work huh ... and not harm the foam ... no chance of melting ...

[Jack B.]

S-o-o-o-o-o-o . . . Just looking through the big box store builders sale that's in effect right now and I see various roofing coatings such as elastomeric, thermoplastic and fibered aluminum coatings for house and mobile home roofs. I know this stuff exists but have never had any hands on experience with them. Would they hold up as a final coating on one of our campers? Houses and double wides tend not to have to deal with tree limbs and highway speed winds too often; FL, TX and LA excepted of course. How about as an undercoat for the bottom of the wood floor? Not sure that the smell and vapors would be welcome in a confined area on a rainy day. The various grades go from $6.00 - $45.00 a .9 gallon.

And what's with the whole .9 gallon amount and 1.5 quarts for the price of a full half gallon of ice cream? There used to be six bagels in the bag and now there only five. Orange juice containers hold less, yogurt tubs are getting smaller and don't even get me started on the prices of milk and cheese. Why are the costs going up and the sizes going down? Clever marketing I'm sure.

But enough about me. What do you think about my idea?

Jack

[linuxmanxxx]

I used the white silicon 7 yr on my roof twice and no leaks and it is rather durable and adheres really good. Be excellent for covering canvas and long lasting.

[couponjnp]

I used the white silicon 7 yr on my roof twice and no leaks and it is rather durable and adheres really good. Be excellent for covering canvas and long lasting.

White silicon???? Sorry, but can you elaborate?

Thanks,

JNP

[linuxmanxxx]

I think it's the elastomeric one like a thick paint.