Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[Wobbly Wheels]

I thought it was COOL to find that axle , but that’s a real Foam find...Whoa !!!

Thx G, that's exactly what I thought. Today I saw a 36' Bayliner listed (also for free) but, despite my wonderful wife's tolerance, I figured I'd probably wind up a bachelor if that one followed me home. Still, there's a lot to be made parting out dead boats...if you have the space to sit on them or the time to strip them. I just checked again and the ad is gone - gotta jump on the freebies right away.

...not that big really , much like a G string (guitar)...maybe a little thicker...

The musician gene missed my family so to me a G string is something else entirely, lol. The strings I used were Ernie Ball #8 through 11 and a few thicker, wrapped ones as well (55?). I had read about using 44# SS leader but didn't have any on hand. I tried downrigger cable as well (no shortage of that!), but it didn't get hot enough to do anything so I didn't waste any time on it. It sounds like a train transformer and leader or lockwire are just the ticket.
For the two smaller blocks though, I think I might just take them and a case of beer to the miller I get fir and cedar from and have him do it for me.
I do want to do some wings and some other stuff in foam (getting back into RC as well lol) so I'll work out the bugs later...but not until I get some of this other stuff cleared off my plate. It sounds like the train transformer (or variac like you're using) is definitely the way to go. Even then, I doubt I'll need to cut 2' of foam, 2' deep and 18' long. But then again, my RC gear is pretty old so it's all big stuff...

I was blown away that the wheels spun smooth as silk...glad I didn't judge this book by its cover and walk away.

There are loads of surplus building materials that get posted as well. When I build the cabin, it too will be an exercise in thrift so I can put the money into systems instead. For the small amounts I'll need, I ought to be able to find everything. Since I'm not using the appliances I salvaged for the trailer, that will be their new home: stove furnace fridge etc. There's also an ad for a truck canopy...too big for mine but good for the glass...

The whole thrifty/recycle thing started when I was demolishing an old barn and seeing what people tossed during my many trips to the dump. The community here is big on recycling, including being the first (in the country I think) to offer post consumer recycling for styro.

[GPW]

The Fine Art of Salvage !!!! It really does make sense !!! Recycling , that’s a MUST !!! Lots of free stuff out there just waiting to be found and used again ... One trip to a “landfill” will make anybody a resolute recycler!!!

Check these guys out ... Foamies , RC , and tons of info about hot wiring and the many ways to power it ...http://www.rcgroups.com/foamies-scratchbuilt-428/

[Bogo]

..... and ... BTW, what’s the advantage of a 5th wheeler ??? Seems to take up a lot of room in the back of the old pickup huh ?

Actually it is in how nice they tow. I have a couple 5th wheel trailers. For heavy hauling, I'll never use a bumper hitch again. I'm only using a bumper hitch for the pop up TTT because it needs to be towed behind a SUV and it has a low wind profile. I wouldn't consider a high wind profile trailer unless it has 5th wheel hitch.

[GPW]

Bogo , Thanks .... that’s good to know !!! Mostly all the fifth wheelers we’ve seen around here are on “hot shot” trucks ... The guys that express the parts to the Oil industry .. Huge pieces of equipment hauled to a job site/rig... Most everybody else uses bumper hitches , likely because we have so many Boats in the area ... everybody and their brother in law has a boat here...

I always just assumed the 5th wheel was for hauling Larger/Heavier loads, and BIG RVs ... Not really necessary for a Foamie ... overkill ... and I’d surely miss the lost space in the back of the pickup ... which gets used to haul things often ... Wouldn’t be “Thrifty” for me ... JMHO FWIW

[Bogo]

I'd have to say the best thing a 5th wheel provides is almost near lack of end to end wind steering. That is what you get when a semi passes you, or comes from head on. You still get a little, but it well less than 10%. This is because the hitch is over, or just in front of the rear wheels. Any wind steer must slide the wheels sideways, where as with a bumper hitch it works on a lever arm pushing the vehicle rear end one way, and the front the other way. Secondary to that is the fact that the load is also supported directly over the rear axle. Again it isn't working on a lever arm lifting the front of your TV. When I rebuild the frame on my 4Runner, I'll put in a hitch in that is 6 to 9 inches forward of the normal location. I'll take the hit on maneuverability over wind steer any day.

[atahoekid]

For me the advantage of a 5th wheel is more space over a shorter overall length. Most of the places I plan to go camping when I get one have length restrictions. It will be for longer term retirement use when I can get away for weeks on end. The are fifth wheel hitches that are removable so you still get to use the bed during the time you're not towing. A bit more expensive but still the best of both worlds. The Road Foamie is good for now. I'm enjoying the camping in it now but there are only so many days you can go camping in it before you feel the need for more space. Just a thought... Is there a size over which a SIP construction starts to make less sense?

[GPW]

“ Is there a size over which a SIP construction starts to make less sense? “ ... As we’ve discussed before ... just make it THICKER !!! ... Twice as thick is 8 times as Strong ... Seems there would be some point of diminishing returns , but that would have to be pretty HUGE ... Not really a TTT...

JMHO, the Road Foamie is really COOL , more than enough space for purpose... ... a nice screen porch (tent thingie’) might be Nice for a little more extra space ...

[atahoekid]

I guess that's what I'm wondering.... Where's the point of diminishing return? I figure 2" foam will be plenty strong for most anything I wanna build. We have a shelter outback, that's all I wanna set up. The biggest reason for building was getting away from the tent, shade, and dining fly.

[kudzu]

The biggest reason for building was getting away from the tent, shade, and dining fly.

I think we'll still keep using both the shade canopy & screen house for multiday camping but won't HAVE to set those up. Not having to is the key part. Most important though is not having to set up the tent... in the dark... and the rain... etc.

[GPW]

Ever try to set up a tent on the beach , in a serious sea breeze, at night , all by yourself ... with the salt spray fogging your glasses ... Been there ... TTT would have been EASY !!! No more tents for us ...

[Wobbly Wheels]

Ever try to set up a tent on the beach , in a serious sea breeze, at night , all by yourself ... with the salt spray fogging your glasses ... Been there ... TTT would have been EASY !!! No more tents for us ...

Hehe, don't forget that you're doing it all by headlights at midnight after rushing to get out of town on the Friday of a long weekend.

[GPW]

After all that , you’re too Tired to have any Fun .... Trailers are NICE huh !!! Stop , get in ... Done !!!

[Jack B.]

I just got one of those Kamp Rite(?) tent cots. Goes up in about a minute, could be set up in the dark probably just as quickly, and is way better than sleeping on the ground. Opens up like those aluminum lounges with the plastic strapping we had in the south. They come in three different sizes and a couple different styles from this company. I went with the over sized since it was $100.00 cheaper than the double and much easier to set up and just looks better than the cheaper regular ones with the maze of crisscrossing legs.

When I got it home from Gander Mt. with a 10% discount though I found that the box had been out to some other buyer and brought back. It was missing the carrying bag so it goes back tomorrow. I see they're on overstock.com for $163.00 and free shipping so I might jut go that route. $25.00 not spent is $25.00 for gas to get another 100 miles in the van (or 200 on the bike) towards somewhere in the woods. Or prairie. Or dessert.

At any rate, it could be a nice addendum for the small trailer camper with extra (little) people along. The over size model could sleep four tykes, if they ever went to sleep.

Jack

[atahoekid]

Ever try to set up a tent on the beach , in a serious sea breeze, at night , all by yourself ... with the salt spray fogging your glasses ... Been there ... TTT would have been EASY !!! No more tents for us ...

Hehe, don't forget that you're doing it all by headlights at midnight after rushing to get out of town on the Friday of a long weekend.

Been there, done that and I swear NEVER again. If I can't go out on Thursday or Friday morning at the latest, it's not worth the time and effort. It's supposed to be relaxing, not stressful.

[Eyedropper]

I made it! I read the whole thing! I am a convert.
Looking now for methods to convert by plans and ideas over to foam. The possibilities of compound curves REALLY intrigues me, and I find myself dreaming (literally) of a mini air-stream. Hmmmm.

The larget hurdle will be convincing SWMBO, aka "the budget director".

So cheers to all of you for your hard work and vision. I feel like I stand on the shoulders of Giants!

Jim