Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

Rat , I hung a privacy/blackout curtain from my arch .. just a rod across the top on the backside ... very decorative ...
Eagle , here's a wall attachment drawing for a narrower trailer ...

[swampjeep]

SJ, Yes , that's great , but just a shelf will act as a strengthener, and you have a place for a coffee maker , and toaster oven ... Arches work best on the roof ... And actually the Romans put arches to good use on structures that are still standing ... Just as an example ...

did you see the second pic? I turned the front arches into shelves, probably as you were typing this LOL

[bobhenry]

pardon my interuption to the foam forum but you finally have me kinda curious.......

My brain fart is ..... If you arch a single layer of foam on a horizontal plane and fiber cover the top will it gain enough strength with the fabric to retain the curve. If the material can not stretch it seems like it would maintain the arch and this would provide not only the strength but a bit of additional headroom and help to shed any rain water that may otherwise pool on a dead flat roof.

I once suggested a fiberglassed paper mache' trailer body we are get closer

[GPW]

SJ, apologies... I always seem to be a post or two behind... Hard to keep up ... Things happening so fast ...

Seems if you bump your head on a foam arch , it would hurt less than a plywood one .... ask me how I know ...

BH , Thinking about a Foamie Vardo??? That would be STRONG eh ? ...

[swampjeep]

SJ, apologies... I always seem to be a post or two behind... Hard to keep up ... Things happening so fast ...

no apologies needed,

[swampjeep]

...I once suggested a fiberglassed paper mache' trailer body we are get closer

that's funny, I was just thinking about how I watched my Dad making a costume for halloween out of paper mache'
how much easier it would have been to use a method like this instead

[eaglesdare]

i am back to putting the foam wall on top of the floor board. but i want a decorative edge on the bottom with the appearance it is on the side.

so this is what i just thought. the foam wall could go on top just like the first build. then for that decorative bottom just add another strip on the bottom of the floor, glued, once glued and covered in canvas you will never know its 2 seperate pieces.

i am planning on going wider, not sure by how much yet. but would love to have beds side to side. still thinking on this. but i am going as wood less as possible to keep my wieght down, since i increased the overall size. i know i am going to be building over the wheel well.

[Anita Rae]

WOW! You guys are really moving! We finally found a place that would order the blue foam for us. It should be here Thursday. So we should be joining in on the building fun with you soon. I love some of the ideas I am seeing here. TY so much!

[swampjeep]

very cool Anita

[GPW]

Eagle , consider this ...

AR, That's Great luck !!! Yet to find a box store here that sells it in 2" .. grrrr!!!

[HandyAtLeast]

That's a very impressive display of strength!! Combined with a couple durable tough layers of canvas, it should be every bit as strong as a wooden teardrop with a thin layer of wood. Maybe even stronger!!! Can't wait to try it!

Mike...

Put on an exterior coat of TiteBondII over the fabric and then a coat of Kilz Latex. Fabric is on inside and outside curves. I stood on it for a couple seconds before I chickened out. Curve is very sturdy with very little flex. I am convinced this method would work well for a galley hatch with no additional supports, BUT I think some additional supports would be good to have. Not sure how weather extremes would affect it.

Now to look into a fabric (or rubber) hinge.

Alrighty, The key is waiting long enough for the TB2 to cure. I stood on the test curve this morning (200lbs) and it would make a great step stool. It needs a full 24 hours to cure.

[GPW]

HAL, COOL !!! Now we Can stand on it ... Liking more and more the one piece Galley hatch like that !!! Strong enough!!! Great testing Dude !!!

[eaglesdare]

oops sorry gpw, forgot to add the floor wood or whatever on top of that. should balance it out. that is how we build my first one., minus the decorative bottom edge.

[eaglesdare]

WOW! You guys are really moving! We finally found a place that would order the blue foam for us. It should be here Thursday. So we should be joining in on the building fun with you soon. I love some of the ideas I am seeing here. TY so much!

can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve!



its funny how many people are following this now and doing their own foamies.

[GPW]

OK, I get it now !!! That should work !!! (already Has huh? )