BEULA - a foam Winter Warrior with aero front

[KCStudly]

I think what Sharon is trying to say politely is, "no pics, didn't happen". We need da pics.

[GPW]

NEVER enough pictures eh !!!

[S. Heisley]

I think what Sharon is trying to say politely is, "no pics, didn't happen". We need da pics.

You're gonna get me in trouble, KC!

But, it's true. Ya gotta feed your fan club from time to time, even it is just one tiny picture....

[cpowell243]

Beula is moving forward. Was good to practice on the interior that only L and I will see... dimly lit.
Here's how it turned out:

Built wheel well covers (that are not exposed to the elements since fender is fully-enclosed).
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Used Great Stuff to attach the wheel well covers to the walls

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Attached canvas in sections working for front to rear, then cut the seams and removed excess material. Used an iron to get the material to lay down after cutting the seams. Pillar/wall connections were slightly askew and the canvas is raised noticeably. Other dents/defects adequately fixed with drywall mud. Seams will hopefully be less noticeable after painted. Fraying of Menard's canvas much worse than HF.

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The left side has a wire chase running from battery on the floor to the light and fan near hinge. Beula will also have dome light with 3-way switch on the wall near door opening.

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Time to prime the interior - used a full gallon of Zinser primer to cover both walls.

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And the left side:

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I will now add a couple coats of interior latex.

Plan then is to permanently attach the walls to the floor, then canvas the exterior and wrap canvas underneath the floor.

Next step will involve permanently installing the nose between the sandwich layers of the floor and attach walls to the nose. Will take several weeks to get all this done.
Thank to all for advice/instructions/support.
Charlie

[GPW]

Looking Good !!! Really coming along now !!!

[Fred Trout]

Looking good, coming together !!

Don't forget, you can spackle & sand the canvas to smooth out cracks & divots too - even after painting primer coats. Cheap canvas has lots of pulls, pills, & runs that disappear when treated that way.

[S. Heisley]

Wow! Thanks for all the pictures! You're almost to the "sides are up" major milestone!

[cpowell243]

Hope pix gave a fairly decent update. Just weighed BEULA with three bathroom scales - total weight with sandwich floor is 435 lbs. Tongue weight - a major concern - is only 75 lbs. Trailer base was custom-built by a friend with torsion axles and a steel frame that fully support floor - more steel and more weight but no need to cantilever. Nose is 35 lbs and I'm guessing/hoping walls/hatch with canvas covers will come in around 100 lbs. Bed pedestal/dinette weighs 65 lbs. Rear wall will weigh more with door and a few pieces of plywood to hold things together- maybe another 50 lb.(??). Galley will be minimalist and should add very little. Battery and A/C another 100 lbs. Unless I'm missing something, total of around 800 lbs., maybe a little more with pots and pans, bedding, etc.
Next coat of paint and wall installation Wednesday.

[GPW]

Just saying , any trailer ~ 800 lb. would be considered “ super Ultralight” by most RV standards... All that means is you can carry more “Cargo” ... Your Fun stuff !!! ... ... or more Ballast ...

And as far as tongue weight .... Just like a Boat , move your “gear-stuff” forward till it balances as you like ...

[cpowell243]

Bed pedestal will add tongue weight. Also plan to mount bikes on the tongue. I was more concerned that it would exceed the typical 150# limit. Weight of rear wall with A/C and battery at the far back should also balance things.
Ch

[mikeschn]

Good job on your foamie Winter Warrior!

Mike...

[starleen2]

Nice looking build you have going – here is my WW build.
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=27592

I would challenge you to start thinking of a way to raise and lower the hatch – that is the most difficult part – but if not designed with that in mind at first – it is difficult to add later.
Also My build - which is all wood – came in at 950 lbs weighed, but I did not have a side door. I think it is a must since you can do a quickie roadside overnight camp with out ever raising the hatch

[cpowell243]

Starleen,
Your Ladybug was a major inspiration to me as I began to design BEULA. I have been in contact with Gary (RAYVILLIAN) from the beginning and he has helped me with hatch design. My hatch should weigh no more than 30 lbs. so should not need any springs, etc. BEULA has two side doors and a rear door.
Th - Ch

[cpowell243]

I would appreciate some info or referral to a site where reinforcement strips are discussed. Not sure where, how big? Th

[RAYVILLIAN]

I've been keeping up with your build Charlie, it's looking great.

Gary