Lightest Camper Plans?

[QueticoBill]

I made my living in the design and construction of buildings for the performing arts, so think about sound and noise early in a project probably a lot more than most. Generally light weight barriers will transmit sound more than more massive barriers. Just consider your sensitivity to noise and the sources of noise where you'll use the trailer.

[printer]

I just did some work on my frame and weighed it after, comes in at 130 lbs. The (3) wheels springs and axle weigh 100 lbs. I am using 5x12 wheels, going to a 4x8 will lose you 30 lbs with spare. I do have a trailer that would fit a 4x8 easily, with wheels and fenders sticking out. With overhanging the wheels and I modified it for 10' length I only added a few pounds as compared to the 8' length. The deck I put on weight 100 lbs, am not too happy about it now. I was building it to be a multipurpose trailer with doors opening in the back but when I started adding up the weight I saw it was going to get to my car's load capacity. I have 3/4" plywood for the deck which is 5x10. With the same trailer (it was one of the folding ones) and only a 4x8 1/2" deck the plywood would be 45 lbs. So total weight now would be 270 lbs if you go with the same wheels, 240 with the 4x8 wheels.

Now comes the want part, the above is the need part. You could go a little thinner with the deck but would have to put some bracing so it does not bow down on you. A 3/8" thickness could be doable but the extra 5 lbs for the 1/2" is worth it in my mind. Now if you do not want to go foam (I was going birch exterior before I realized I needed it to go on a diet) you can sheet it with birch ply, a 5x5 1/8" sheet is 10 lbs, 0.4 lbs a square foot. To get a feel for it a rectangular box 4x4x8 would be 50 lbs. You need some structural support, the kitchen, cabinetry if that is your preference, all adding to your weight. But the shell with chassis is now 300 lbs. Pretty darn light, adding windows and doors, some like the nice look of manufactured units, they are not light though. Let's say the framing to keep the box together weighs 150 lbs, so 450 lbs so far. A coat of paint and away you go. Adding a lining of foam and mahogany ply (about 0.6X the weight of the birch), add the foam to make it the same weight as the birch, another 50 lbs. 350 lbs and you have a little insulation to make it a little more livable.

[QueticoBill]

Brendi - here's a website with some info about stresses skin construction. https://www.instructables.com/Benches-a ... in-Panels/
The author likes tite bond, as do a lot of builders here. I like water based contact adhesives, which font require clamps or weight and are complete and dry as soon as it is assembled. Not many others here agree. I can't explain why its worked well for me and people I know.

Disclosure - my work has been in entertainment technology where stressed skin panels are used for platforms (think rock and roll or country western stages in arenas and outdoors), band shells, and scenery.

For my in progress tear, I'm planning 1/4" baltic birch both sides of 1" foam for deck and walls, and 1/8" for roof and ends on 1 1/2" foam and no spars. 1/8" would probably work for walls but I believe I can anchor to 1/4" with glue as necessary. And I plan to glass the whole cabin to reinforce joints and protect the wood. And I plan to paint it.

The platforms used in concerts are mostly 3/16" skins on 2 1/2 or 3" cores and span 8'. I built one that spanned 16' - walked on every show for months - just 4" thick over all and 1/4" skins.

Also one lesson learned is value of balanced skins. I believe in using same thickness both sides so there is least chance of deforming with humidity changes. Not sure you will see the deformation but a bad experience - luckily not mine but a colleagues - was enough for me.

It's a "foamie" but with ply skins in place of textile skins.

YMMV, as I'm sure others' mileage does.

[Soderholm]

5x8
1/8” plywood inside and outside.
1x3 pine framing.
1 self-made door.
2 salvage sliding windows from rev.
Two door galley in rear with wood counter, stainless steel bowl, hand pump, drawer for cooler.
Pink insulation board.
Fiberglass cloth and epoxy on roof.
Plastic bubble type skylight.
Roof vent.
484 lbs.
My daughter pulls it with a Nissan Versa Note.

[tony.latham]

I'm planning...

QB:

I wish you'd get on with it. You've got my attention and I'm looking forward to following your build.



Tony

[QueticoBill]

I'm planning...

QB:

I wish you'd get on with it. You've got my attention and I'm looking forward to following your build.



Tony

Selling large house after 30 years and moving, retiring, selling business, "adjusting" new house, and related life changes has delayed this.

[friz]

I'm planning...

QB:

I wish you'd get on with it. You've got my attention and I'm looking forward to following your build.



Tony

Selling large house after 30 years and moving, retiring, selling business, "adjusting" new house, and related life changes has delayed this.

Those excuses look pretty lame. I built mine over the winter, while employed full time, kids in school, without missing a single K-state football home game. Daughter was in the band.

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[pchast]

Did you get to sleep too?

[friz]

Did you get to sleep too?

A little.

I did kind of come across as an a-hole. Sorry.

Juggling large projects and "life" is mostly about preparation and sticking to a plan. Set up a project space that allows small blocks of time dedicated to building and dedicate time to it. For me, shop time is my leisure time. Admittedly I cheated on my camper. I bought a kit with well written instructions. No brain work needed. Just show up and work.

I love having things in my life that i have built or modified. The satisfaction in this is immeasurable.

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[QueticoBill]

I did do a complete kitchen renovation - near total gut, moved and added a sink, planked ceiling, all new electrical, cork tile floor, etc. All very satisfying, as friz says. And starting on a stand alone studio in back yard for my wife. Plus clearing brush in yard and bought a riverfront property and doing some clearing and installing a 1200' dirt drive. So I'm using my teardrop frame a lot for hauling, just no cabin yet.

[tony.latham]

I did kind of come across as an a-hole.

Just don't spout off about your beer bottle opener you've got mounted on your trailer frame again. I still can't find one that will fit my 2" tubing.



Tony

[friz]

I did do a complete kitchen renovation - near total gut, moved and added a sink, planked ceiling, all new electrical, cork tile floor, etc. All very satisfying, as friz says. And starting on a stand alone studio in back yard for my wife. Plus clearing brush in yard and bought a riverfront property and doing some clearing and installing a 1200' dirt drive. So I'm using my teardrop frame a lot for hauling, just no cabin yet.

Ok, you get a pass, plus major wife points. I have been putting off vaulting part of the ceiling in my shop and building a shed for lawn stuff, because of lumber prices. Are they as bad as everyone's says?

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[Tom&Shelly]

I did kind of come across as an a-hole.

Just don't spout off about your beer bottle opener you've got mounted on your trailer frame again. I still can't find one that will fit my 2" tubing.



Tony

We just solved that problem by purchasing a portable unit that also should allow us to open the locks on most church doors.

Tom

[friz]

I did kind of come across as an a-hole.

Just don't spout off about your beer bottle opener you've got mounted on your trailer frame again. I still can't find one that will fit my 2" tubing.



Tony

Let me have it. Its all I got.

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[tony.latham]

by purchasing a portable unit ...

Yeah, but Friz's cool factor..