Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

Rat, you mean like sway ??? Or a weak structure ??? One thing we discussed was foam "arches" which once covered (like everything else ) would provide tremendous structural reinforcement to the top of the shell.. and can be a decorative "room divider" of sorts , and a place to hang a privacy /blackout curtain ... and by the time you add the shelves, cabinets (for some) , etc. , That adds to the structural rigidity ... With foam , we must consider the whole structure as one unit (Unibody) , unified by the covering ...The sum of it's parts so to speak .
Another thing we mentioned was using a thin ply as the inside skin, and that would really stiffen the sides a LOT!!!... the extra weight probably won't even be noticed... light as it is already...
I certainly agree wider is better ... 6' was the spoiler for me ... just right !!! But some folks just feel the need to stand up inside ... they should have some options too ... and as per the previous conversations , if you need Stronger , just Add more Foam ... It's the lightest and cheapest part of the equation ...
The only thing that restricts our Foamie trailer building is our imaginations... and a modicum of structural engineering too..

[GPW]

Here's a pic of the ply arch I used in my 6X12 X5H TD.. same principle

[Ratkity]

Yup, sway was what I was talking about where the foam meets the floor. Bulkheads would stiffen the sides. I wasn't worried about top sway. Certainly ply inside would solve that problem if somehow attached to the floor or bulkhead. The stiffness of the canvas certainly holds the top without even arches. It's amazing how solid, yet slightly flexible the glued canvas is. I read through the entire thread, but can't remember if you folks mentioned putting metal brackets up from the floor and sandwiching foam over them to help with the floor to foam connection.

I like your drawings!! Do agree that that some peeps like to stand.

Hugs,
Ratkity

[eaglesdare]

i like the idea of using something other than canvas on the inside. think i will go that way with the second build.

i think i need to get with that neighbor guy and see if he stills wants to give me that boat trailer. well i need to see the size of it first. don't want something too small. not sure what size it is.

anyone want to start a kitty fund for the standy foamie? i think i may try to get this puter fixed first though.

i like your drawings also. i am not sure about 6' width for me though, would love it, but i think that maybe too wide for my car. but i know i can go farther if i build over the tire well. but i don't want to go any wider than what the tires are right now.

[GPW]

Rat , I think it's all tying in the floor /wall with the reinforcing strips ... actually they're Very important , although one might not think so ... For those so worried , you could use an extremely Heavy canvas for the bottom outside Reinforcing strip , glued well up onto the sidewall and floor ... wood strips /metal might be "overbuilding" ... Offroad , maybe not a bad idea !!! I think for the bottom to sway , the top has to also .. The rigidity of the Unibody structure should prevent that ... I believe we're talking about "normal" road use , not bumping over some rocky mountain pass ... No Bears either

Eagle , the wood inside would give you a chance to use some decorative paneling on the walls ... Some folks just like the look of wood inside ... can't blame them ... It does look Nice and would add more strength !!! I do think you would need to pre install some "hard points" first under the paneling for attachments, and for those that must , small channels could even be routed for pre-wiring before the ply goes on (lights and stuff) .... Many possibilities...

And since we've practically eliminated most of the heavy bits , the weight of a little wood wouldn't hurt anything ... maybe stop that trailer from rattling only thing is , the more wood we use , the more we have that old TD problem ...potential Rot ... so all wood used should be well "protected"... all a compromise ... many ways to build it ...

[mikeschn]

Hey you guys (and gals),

All your foam talk is contagious!!!

See what you made me do today...



Now I just gotta figure out what I am going to cut...

I found the 8 oz canvas at Home Depot. A 9x12' piece is $19. And the glue is $15 a gallon. I think you got me... hook, line and sinker!

Mike...

[GPW]

Ruh Roh !!! Now look what we've gone and done ...

[mikeschn]

Laying out a design that Andrew did for me years and years ago...



Mike...

[mikeschn]

Cutting out some stuff!



Mike...

[GPW]

Gosh Mike , with your experience and a most competent helper , this should be a real Quickie build ... You done yet ???

[mikeschn]

Here's what the wall ended up looking like...

I'm standing next to it to put the size in perspective.



and in this picture you can see the rest of the door and the window.



Mike...

[GPW]

WOW!!! That's BIG !!! Nice shape too ..

[Ratkity]

W00t Mike go!!!

keep up the pictures.

Hugs,
Ratkity

[Miriam C.]

That is great Mike. wonder if the foam can be gotten in larger sheets? Maybe from a refrigeration place. Or something.

Edit* Sent an email to a supplier about bigger sheets to get rid of the seams...

[RAYVILLIAN]

Way to go Mike. I even found myself building a foamy in my dreams last night. But I haven't used last years build for 5 years yet.

That looks like it's a 6' by 10' profile how are you going to splice your foam structurally.

Gary