Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[eaglesdare]

i think i may be changing my whole shape. i am thinking of going really simple, and do as you did. just the 4 walls and then the roof will just lift up, so you can stand inside. how easy will thta be! and if you have to just jump inside for a quick sleep, you don't even have to lift up.

with out any cutting at all. i think this would be super easy to do. and even easier to lay the canvas down with the shape rectangle vs curved.
couple of dowels to hold the roof up, or better yet, stryrofoam holders. canvas sides just like a pop up or i could finally recycle one of my old tents, and cut that out to use. recycled and cheap.

the only thing needed for cut outs will be the door/ my window is going in the door. but if i just make the back wall an open out door then i won't need to cut much at all, just the window and afix a hinge.

since it will then only be 4' high, it won't have too much added wind drag type problems slowing my down and wasting gas.

but the whole idea is so darn simple even i can do this almost alone, if not alone.

i now have a totally new excitment going on now. could even sand the joining edges and give it a more rounded look.

[GPW]

Eagle , you got a picture of that ... Sounds really simple ... that's always the best way ...


Well my trailer is getting EXPENSIVE .... dropped 71USD at the HD ... But now I'm ready for anything ...

[eaglesdare]

Eagle , you got a picture of that ... Sounds really simple ... that's always the best way ...


Well my trailer is getting EXPENSIVE .... dropped 71USD at the HD ... But now I'm ready for anything ...

whoa, better pull back on that spending!

no i don't have a picture. i was checking out rv vans for the interior space use and when i saw how they have pop tops it just dawned on me, we could do that with our foamies.

all it would need is a brace for the roof to stay up, and since it is only a piece of foam, light, all you would need is more foam braces, light and simple.
..hmmm this would work as long as the wind wasn't bad. gotta figure out a way to prevent the wind from taking it right off and away. hmm, there has to be a way, i will think more on that once we get to that stage. we have horrible winds right here in my yard, so i will beable to test anything i try.

[GPW]

For Simplicity why not just have it pop up at one end the standy end, not the sleepy end... Much simpler to just hinge one end and prop up the other ... Just a thought !!!

Yes , I'll have to watch my pennies now ...

[GPW]

Eagle , had a chance to sleep,on your idea !!! Now , I'm not really sure this is a good idea ... The Foamie' depends on the shell being integrated , everything braces/supports everything else ...sorta'...
Unlike a "hard framed" TD , the Foamie MIGHT not have the rigidity to support a pop up roof as you suggest ... The solid foam top actually supports the top half of the box... Without it , who knows
Maybe some of our more experienced builders will weigh in with their opinions...

I'm sticking with the original plan ... I know that will work ...

[GPW]

Not being one to spoil the Party , here's an idea to unify the top of the trailer and allow a pop up roof .. a sheet of plywood incorporated into the top of the sides that would allow tubes (aluminum, PVC, ? ) to pass through the holes in the ply and support the roof ...Once it's extended a peg in a hole drilled in each tube would act as a stop ... EASY !!! Plausible ... Just an idea !!

[droid_ca]

looks like that should work I'd ad another set of legs in the middle to add a bit more rigidity but that would definitely work

[GPW]

Droid , trying to keep it SIMPLE ... Figuring the roof will be "covered" (fabric ) so it'll be stiff , and the required end/side caps , somewhat indicated would keep the rain out in the down position ... That should add some serious stiffness too ...
Now if I'm understanding this all right, I think there will be some tent material connecting the top and sides , like a "bellows" ,

[GPW]

Now for mine , I selected the plywood for the floor , and as I look at it ,it 's NOT a perfect piece... AC Pine , voids ,areas to fill... and it's HEAVY!!!! But I have it !!! Got some wood filler ... going to go over the ply with a putty knife and make things right , and fill in (as good as I can ) some of those voids (water channels) in the end grain .. May be a little obsessive, since the ply will be covered in fabric, but why take a chance eh ? The whole idea of the Foamie is to use as little wood as possible (that which is subject to ROT ) So we'll have to pay a little special attention to the wood that does get used... I couldn't get any cypress (door/window framing) , but the word is out and some should be available soon ..I'll wait since I really don't want to "buy" any ...

As far as the weight of the plywood, it might even help as the shell is going to be so light ... The boat trailer I'm planning on putting it on will be riding (bouncing) like there's nothing on it ... so the heavy ply floor and everything I own inside might work ..

[eaglesdare]

http://www.tallhat.net/Build_1.html

just add the raised roof.

[GPW]

That'll work !!!

[eaglesdare]

it is some what nice out today. i am going to make my decision as to my shape. hubby does not want a box type shape, he wants the tear shape.

so i am getting dressed and heading out there to try to make my decision.

to box or not to box, to tear or not to tear? that is the question.

wish me luck!

[GPW]

Eagle ,always hard to decide on a profile ... Aesthetically speaking , The traditional TD shape IS the most beautiful ... Anybody can build a box, well most anybody !! I'm making a more box like shape because I had just enough foam for it ... Thrifty !!! (Art imitates budgets)

[GPW]

Here's a pic of the ply edge voids/irregularities filled in with wood filler ... pretty boring , but you did want pictures ...

[eaglesdare]

oh yes, i love pictures! i do know how to read however, but i am a visual gal.

well turned out i made some progress. i cut the profile. which now means it is a teardrop. it was done free hand, so i am not sure if you want to see the pics. i don't want you to laugh at my "work".

oh and yes, wind and foam to not mix very well. i was carrying a 4x8 piece from out back to my work place and i was holding it on my head. a good gust of wind came and i thought i was going to fly away.

i used a serrated steak knife, a normal flat knife [not a butter one], and a saw. the saw and my finger had a bit of a run in. ouch. so i guess i can now say i have my blood, sweat, and tears invested in this teardrop.

i am going to download my pics now. still not sure if i will post them.