Foam TD (build journal)

Canvas covered foamies (Thrifty Alternatives...)

Moderator: eaglesdare

Postby mezmo » Mon May 23, 2011 3:19 am

Hi pat g,

Great job on the foamie TD! You're making it look easy!

I have one suggestion for consideration. [Not a criticism for
how you have it currently.]

This concerns your outside wooden shelf where the TD body
meets the trailer. How about taking 5/4inch decking boards.
or even 2x6 or 2x8 [whatever fits the measure from TD body
to frame edge, or even have @ a 1/2 overhang, and make a
full perimeter shelf around the whole TD? This would act as a
full perimeter bumper around it as well as a shelf. As it stands
now you have a "partial perimeter bumper" with the exception
of the front corners of the TD body that are not protected. I think
I recall you mentioning possibly using the shelf to anchor or
position poles for an awning. A full perimeter shelf/bumper
would give you the extra length on the sides to do that, and you
could make awning pole attachment points on, or even through the
boards/corner areas to do that.

It would be easy to do using half lap joints. The front and rear
boards would have their half lap tongues on the bottom of the
joint and the sides would have their half lap tongues on the top
of the joint. Gorilla glue them together - and lag screw from the
bottom, 4 galvanized lag screws sized to not break the top surface,
or 4 appropriately sized carriage bolts per half lap joint [especially
on the front corners] and you would have a very strong shelf/
bumper, easily handling the cantilever at the front. Radius all 4
outside corners an inch or so, so your're not potentially walking into a sharp corner.

I think it would look nice and have a very functional use/
purpose for you, and also integrate your front tongue planking into it.
You could even have awning mounting points on all four corners, or
wherever is appropriate, and have awnings on both sides, or an awning
just over the TD itself for shading it or for extra protection or awnings
on both sides and over the TD etc..

Just a suggestion. 'Hope I was clear enough describing it.

'Just noticed you're in Medina, OH. 'Used to live on Greenwood Ave.
in Akron, OH @ 12 years ago. Nice area there. Is it totally built up
between Medina and Akron by now? - Seemed like that was the
trend when we moved.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo
If you have a house - you have a hobby.
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Postby pat g » Mon May 23, 2011 7:30 am

Norm,

Thanks for the suggestions. No offence taken. I had thought of the 5/4 boards even had them on my cart, but weight was the determining factor when I came across the lighter fence planks. If I need a real strong attachment point I could always fabricate something to connect directly with the frame. I did realize that I was leaving the front corners exposed but I think that area will be least likely to get dinged unless from road debris. I may add something there later. My latest incarnation of a cover is a folding canopy ala beach cabana cover. With me design is an evolutionary process and may change from minute to minute!

You are right. The area between Akron and Medina has changed a lot since you lived here.

SYOTR
Pat G
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Postby pat g » Thu May 26, 2011 10:01 am

Hey All,

I replaced all the bearings on the trailer and got new tires. Added carpet remnant from a job. Added tie down anchors for the cooler and put in my mattress, bulkhead and shelf.

Ready for first excursion.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

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Postby GPW » Thu May 26, 2011 10:20 am

WOW!!!! NICE !!!! :thumbsup: 8) :D Looks Very Comfortable !!!

You know ,those wooden cross braces are a good place to hang a LED light from ...Maybe even a cargo net ... 8)
There’s no place like Foam !
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Postby eaglesdare » Fri May 27, 2011 7:50 am

wow, that is nice! love the cooler placement. when is your maiden voyage? don't forget the pics!

i am sure you are going to get lots of enjoyment from this. faily inexpensive build, easy build, fast build, pretty lightweight. :thumbsup:
have you weighed it yet?
Louella
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Postby GPW » Fri May 27, 2011 11:40 am

Eagle , I'm betting on 650 lbs... as shown :D
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Postby eaglesdare » Fri May 27, 2011 12:18 pm

hmm really? that heavy? i'll have to go back and check out the pic again.
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Postby GPW » Fri May 27, 2011 1:20 pm

Just a WAG !!! :thinking:
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Postby Anita Rae » Fri May 27, 2011 4:12 pm

That looks great Pat. Happy camping.
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Postby swampjeep » Fri May 27, 2011 8:58 pm

eaglesdare wrote:hmm really? that heavy? i'll have to go back and check out the pic again.

I would bet Pat's trailer frame is heavier then your, it looks to be pretty good sized steal., Not toooo terribly heavy, just heavier then yours.
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Postby GPW » Sat May 28, 2011 6:37 am

Boat trailer and all ...
There’s no place like Foam !
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Postby pat g » Tue May 31, 2011 2:19 pm

Hey All,

Just back from a long weekend maiden voyage for the TD camping and kayaking in Maryland and West Virginia. Drove through multiple torrential downpours on the way down and when we set up I happily found no water inside at all! Great start to a great weekend. First night of camping I put a tarp over the TD to cover the window and door in case of more rain. With the cool temps outside and the window open 1/4 was very comfortable. Next night was a bit warmer so I opened the window full. Third night was warm and muggy so I cooled down the TD by leaving the door open for a while ,again, very comfortable. We travelled roughly 700 miles towing at speeds up to 70 mph andthe TD trailed along nicely. I may get some softer springs for a smoother ride on rough roads. Below are just a few pics of camp.


Abram creek
Image
Coffee time
Image
Mark and Karl
Image
Creek again
Image
Drying rack
Image
Source for great music
Image

BTW after driving into camp and on some of the rough rocky roads by the river, I was glad to have the high off road stance of the boat trailer!

SYOTR
Pat
Last edited by pat g on Tue May 31, 2011 4:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Ratkity » Tue May 31, 2011 2:31 pm

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

It looks absolutely fabbo!! Congrats on your maiden voyage. What a sharp looking camper. The side rails and tongue area are perfect and made for your creation!

Hugs,
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Postby pat g » Tue May 31, 2011 4:22 pm

Thanks Ratkity. I like it.

Pat
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Postby GPW » Tue May 31, 2011 4:45 pm

Pat, That's just Too Cool !!! 8) Glad you had a Good time and the Foamie worked well for you !!! (we knew it would ;) )
Looks like Foamies @ 70 mph is OK ... :D
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