Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[eaglesdare]

I just joined to learn how to build a TD. Last summer I met a guy who built one from insulation panels. I didn't get all the details, but he made it sound like his panels were fiberglass based because he glassed the whole thing together.

I am really interested in building a lightweight TD to pull behind my '68 Dodge Dart to take to car shows, the races, etc. With the price of gas, I don't think the Ford F-250 with 10' slide in is going anywhere!

Are there any other "foam" TD builds or is this the first documented build??

welcome! i am with wolffarmer also. i have seen the pics, but can't find any write ups about it.

so as far as the write ups go, this is the first i know of. i have to go lightweight because of my tow capacity. mine is so low, only 1000 lbs. so this will be great for me and then i don't have to worry about adding weight with equipment, that'll be a plus in my situation.

i just can't find any negatives to this and i might add that i have tried to find them. and i think this might even be a better way to camp in bear country than a woodie. only because of the threads in the "fabrics" as someone else had mentioned it just might give you enough time to get out the other door. i was starting to think about adding the cargo netting below the canvas, but have changed my mind on that, but i think maybe putting it ontop of canvas would not be a bad idea either...
..i don't camp in grizzy bear country, but i do in black bear country, so a little time to get away is good for me. as long as he/she hasn't destroyed my car first.

anyway welcome to the forums!

[eaglesdare]

the nieghbor called and i am sitting her reading to go get that foam!

it should be the 2" think green foam boards. just keep you fingers crossed that i get a better discount on it. and pray they have at least 5 sheets!

[GPW]

Didn't glassice build a foamie covered in fiberglass , some time ago ... haven't heard from him lately ... About a Gazillion boats made like that ...
Eagle , got the rabbits foot , fingers crossed , Lucky candle lit for you !!! More discounts are always a "good thing" ..!!!

Bears ... Foam ... I dunno ' Covering in Kevlar or Spectra , might slow them down ... Schmaybe ' ??? EXPENSIVE !!!! I'd have to pass on bear country ... Checking in with the local Forrest Ranger might not be a bad idea... see if there's been any "activity" ... and they can keep an eye out for you ...

[Cliffmeister2000]

Heck, people camp in tents in bear country. Just be smart, don't attract them, and enjoy nature!

[Wolffarmer]

WE are in far more danger from our fellow man with fire power. Any one built a light weight trailer with armored sides?

Didn't think so.

Randy

[CARS]

I must admit, after reading 32 pages of "discussion", I lost track of the plan. Are you going to have any wood structure??

I might have to go to the lumber yard later today and see what foam I can get. If they don't have anything good to offer, I guess I need to go to the big city box store.

BTW: My favorite shape is the new cub ( http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear27.htm )

Now I need to source my materials and figure out how to draw out elliptical shapes! I'm trying to re-use a small pop-up camper trailer, but if that doesn't pan out I have no problem with the HF trailer.

[droid_ca]

heres some more info on that other build hope it helps

http://www.tearsoftexas.com/
it was built by Dave Lovelace

[eaglesdare]

i have always camped in a tent in bear country. never have had a problem. however the last time i swore never again. a momma and her 2 cubs were out and about nightly. now i don't know if it was the bear or not, but something was sniffing around our tent. but i knew right then and there that weekend [about 2 yrs ago now] was the last time in a tent {well in bear country that is].

anyway, i have the foam now. i got 5 sheets of the 2" stuff and 1 sheet of the 1" stuff. i am going to test the 1" boards for shaping.

the nieghbor is more interested in this build now. the next day we have some nice warm weather we are glueing foam to foam for the sides.

[GPW]

Cars , just a little wood for the door/window framing and some "hard points to attach things to... and the floor ...
Droid, Thanks !!!

Bears .... I think I'd rather camp in BEER country ...

Eagle , is it Green , did you get a "deal"???

[eaglesdare]

yes it is the green stuff. no deals other than my 10 per cent off, which is better than nothing. so i got $3.00 off each sheet. so total came to $160.10, 9.07 was tax.


i'd rather camp in wine country

[eaglesdare]

ok gpw, i need help here, what about the hinge? what kind? there is a ton of stuff on this site about them. what would be best to use on a foamie?

any opinions and recommendations from anyone? i see our lowes does have piano hinges.

i see some thread about plastic piano hinges that comes in rolls. if that is covered in canvas to protect from uv rays, this might be a good thing?

my neighbor and i are trying to rig something though, at least the wheels are starting to turn, but any opinions or recommendations are appreciated.

[GPW]

Eagle , I used a piano hinge from the hdwe. store on my Big TD build , my Tiny CT has em too ... they seem to work fine .... Curious to hear others hinging preferences...
Also thinking to recess the door with a lip inside , so it seals better (rainy here) ...sorta' like an ice chest lid does ... just a thought ... would only take a tiny bit of extra wood 3/4"X 3/4" to do it all around ... Need a picture ???

[eaglesdare]

pictures are always good for me.

[GPW]

OK.. see if this helps ???

[Conestoga]

this thread is hot!

i've been lurking happily and i don't want to impose,
but in case a pre-made door appeals to anyone building a foamie...

have a look at my doors. they're foam sandwiched between
an outer layer of fiberglass and inner layer of pebbled plastic that is probably frp.
these are manufactured pre-hung cargo doors made for rvs.
the framing is aluminum, and the hinged side is a piano hinge.
LIGHT, sturdy, watertight, easy to install, and good looking, imo
the door in the first pic is 1/2" thick, was original on the trailer.
the second one replaced a large window on the driver's side.
the door is 1" thick and the frame is 2" thick,
so it would work fine together with thick foam, i figure.
got it on ebay, used. seen here right after i installed it.