Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

The trailer is the foundation for all your building ... just have to get the Right one , even if it means waiting ... I did !! Remember ?

[eaglesdare]

That is because they are full fledged 2x6 boards full length of the trailer and quite heavy indeed.

275lbs? really, i'm not really questioning you, but seriously, are they infact that heavy? so all i would have to do is remove them and the trailer then should weight less than the mesh floor one, since it doesn't have that either.

i did drive by lowes, they have the same one and its 100bucks less.



now an update about simba. the vet says his eyes look completely normal to him. he suspects his problem is a mild case of pink eye that is affecting the third eye lid. so he had some meds that i have to give him, and he should be good to go. also, he is getting neutered on tuesday. i am going to be a basket case then!

[eaglesdare]

back to the trailers, they do have a 6x10 mesh floor, which i considered, since i am going to build out to 6 foot and this would allow me not to do the lip/wing, but it cost 700 more. so i couldn't see that price.

[mikeschn]

Louella,

Don't start out handicapped. Get a trailer that fits within the parameters of what you are building... especially weight wise... You don't need 300 pounds of wood in the floor!

I've been having a hard time finding the right trailer, so I am going to go up to Saginaw, MI this year and buy a custom built trailer. It costs more than a HF trailer, but it's going to be pretty lightweight!

Mike...

[eaglesdare]

oh no, i wouldn't be using that wood, i would remove it and give it to the old man, he will love that stuff. there is still another place up the roads aways, so i am going to take a ride friday or saturday and see what info i can get up there.
i am going to attempt a torsion box floor. it might not be 100% perfect, but once its bolted down, it should be fine.

[pepper]

oh no, i wouldn't be using that wood, i would remove it and give it to the old man, he will love that stuff. there is still another place up the roads aways, so i am going to take a ride friday or saturday and see what info i can get up there.
i am going to attempt a torsion box floor. it might not be 100% perfect, but once its bolted down, it should be fine.

Don't make the floor a torsion box. Make the complete build a torsion box, body and all.

[eaglesdare]

the rest of the build is going to be just foam board sheets, so no need for the box on the rest of it.

you avatar is cute. i love the giant schnauzers(sp)

[pepper]

the rest of the build is going to be just foam board sheets, so no need for the box on the rest of it.

you avatar is cute. i love the giant schnauzers(sp)

Actually, I am a miniture schnauzer. But my master zoomed in real close with the camera... He made me look pretty big, eh?

[ebutler]

WHEW I finally made it to the end, 247 pages.
I really like the foamy concept, I want to build one like Mike
is building. Also I have a motorized bicycle that I want to
build a bike sized one for. I think the foamy is the only way to
make a TearDrop that is light enough to pull with a bicycle,
even one with an engine.

[Wolffarmer]

Holy cow, another one that has read the thing. Is there any other thread on the forum where people will read that many pages to catch up? And I imagine you also read a lot of the side threads also. People are interested in building a light weight trailer for their use. Even if the cost is not really that much different from conventional ( sort of ) construction.

I congratulate you Ebutler. I am glad I started reading this when it was about 10 pages or so. I don't think I could have after it got about 100 pages.

I have been collecting stuff for my next trailer. Will probably order the axles next week, I have most of the iron for the trailer, will build that myself. And 2 sheets of foam. Will need a bunch more of course.

Randy

[eaglesdare]

WHEW I finally made it to the end, 247 pages.
I really like the foamy concept, I want to build one like Mike
is building. Also I have a motorized bicycle that I want to
build a bike sized one for. I think the foamy is the only way to
make a TearDrop that is light enough to pull with a bicycle,
even one with an engine.

i sure wished we had some kind of award to give to folks that can read the whole thread. congrats to you and welcome to our world.

[GPW]

The knowledge is it’s own reward !!!

[bonnie]

ebutler, welcome!

[bonnie]

Don't make the floor a torsion box. Make the complete build a torsion box, body and all.

Pepper, could you elaberate on how you would do the whole foamie as a torsion box? Kinda piqued my intereated.

[GPW]

QUOTE: " he is getting neutered on tuesday. i am going to be a basket case then! “ ... how do you think He will feel ???

Eagle , keep looking for the one that’s “Just Right” !!!! No rush eh ? You already have a Foamie ready for this season eh !!! Make this your “Best work” ... Take your time, think it through ,shop around, then spend wisely ... you’re only gonna’ buy that trailer once , so make it a Good on ... price is not important (within reason of course) , specifications ARE Important !!!
For the right trailer you wouldn’t need much of a floor at all ... a real chance to save weight ... and more time and $$$ .
You have a Max target weight in mind ? Might as well get that down first , you have to tow it with watcha’ got !