FoamStream...

[linuxmanxxx]

The ratings are for the pair took me a while to find that information out.

Yes its more expensive than a standard axle but if you do the unibody like you were saying you can go as wide as you want and put the wheels outside the body and not have to do any building around wheel wells inside if you want to go wide.

My camper has a 3500 lb axle on it with a weight of 1440 and buddy it bangs around a lot because it doesn't even get close to loading the springs. Makes for a rather not pleasant towing experience and something long term I need to address and fix and the torsion axles seem to be my answer. Of course I'll just find a trailer they are already on and lessen my pain of then dealing with what to do with the original axles I replace.

[loaderman]

That is the problem - I can't put the wheels outside the body. It would be to wide, I have to put them under the body to stay within the width regulation.

[GPW]

One of the things that was putting me off on the FoamStream build was the ribs ... I just wasn’t thinking right ... so had this idea ... Bend the ribs out of pipe ... Aluminum or EMT .. easy to do with a foot pipe bender , then use pipe clips to attach the horizontal wooden stringers , with the foam attached to those ... That’s so easy and I could weld the ribs to the trailer frame direct , and provide an inner “cage” of Metal ... How strong would that be ... Sad that it took so long to think of ... must be Old age ... or the Beer...

[KCStudly]

I find those EMT pipe clips to be a little sharp sometimes. And the screws are always long so that they can reach the spread open clip, yet still draw down enough to become tight. Just thinking that the would not be that comfortable to rub up against in the close confines of a camper, and would be tough to doll up for appearance sake.

Just saying, I like some of your other rib ideas better compared to the above issues.

[KCStudly]

Maybe the two hole saddles or something like an adel clamp would work better?

McMaster Carr 8863T28 or 9439T43 ?

[GPW]

Thanks KC , I’m still exploring possibilities , the pipe/conduit option does seem to be much easier than trying to steam some Ash around a form , not as pretty either ... However , despite the Industrial Revolution style of decor inside , it would offer a good mechanical connection to both stringers and trailer chassis , something I was unable to visualize with the other rib methods ... and provide clear pathways to run wiring , etc. which might give it that “submarine" interior appearance .. No real reason the inside should look like our home or other RV interiors ... Not going to be featured in “Better Homes and Submarines “ ...
Just thinking about wrapping the exposed “pipe” in common pipe insulation tubing between the stringers , to provide a more finished look and a modicum of noggin protection ...

[wagondude]

I posted in the general forum (links are there), but thaought others here might be interested. Fiddler's Green is offering a free download of the Airtsream trailer card model. The file has both a regular size and a large size (two sheets for the reg and three for the large). Just print it on card stock and glue it together. Kind of a fun thing. They also have buildings, planes and tanks. I have built some of their models and they are quite fun.

Bill

[GPW]

Thanks Bill, got it !!! Maybe if the plans could be enlarged enough to do some foam bending ...???

[wagondude]

Funny, I was thinking the same thing.

Bill

[GPW]

Great Minds and all ...

[Wobbly Wheels]

Just a quick thought re conduit ribs...

I've done something similar for covering boats in the off season. Right now I have a work cover over a 48' sailboat that looks a bit like a covered wagon. I would think that, for our purposes, 1/2" Sched40 pvc would give you the rigidity of the frame AND the flexibility to bend into a horseshoe. Another option would be something like 3/8" PEX. Fittings can also be added to give you longitudinal stringers as well, stiffening the frame by creating a cage. It will also keep the weight and cost down and can be worked with almost no tools or skills.

Edited to add pics:
This was this morning after 90km/h winds most of yesterday. The section by the mast acts as a 'fuse' and blows out to keep from shredding the whole thing...which it did admirably. I would have no structural concerns whatsoever covering this with foam to make a trailer body.

[GPW]

Cool idea Yes, pics Please !!!

[Tiredoldwhiteman]

wagondude...

Good to see another FG fan here...Many of FG's models could make it full scale, especially the camper series (have you seen Chip's version of the Trotwood? http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/models/Mis ... twood.html) Good stuff.

I carded a small pop-up (tent) camper from a several-year-old design if you'd like a copy...I've also toyed with a few Teardrop designs for Chip (Fiddler's Green). If not a real one, paper is always a good substitute.

Glen, if you're still up to tackling the FoamStream version (the pointy-ended version) you could easily cut the forward section in a similar fashion as the petals FG used on the upper corners of the Airstream. A little extra up-front work would be required getting the layout right and getting the templates made, but once that part is done, a hot wire would make quick work of the individual petals/sections...

At any rate, its good to see another Fiddler's Green fan among the crowd...

Now back to lurking...

Wayne

[GPW]

TOWM , still seriously thinking about the FoamStream ... saving up the Fun Tickets ... doing more planning , considering all the possibilities ... Project still in the planning stage so far ..

[GPW]

Doing more thinking on the FoamStream ... So far the two biggest considerations were one, making the curved body panels (requiring kerfing ) and two, those darn Ribs. Current thoughts would have me Heat Bending the panels into shape , retaining the strength of the foam and no messy (and tedious ) kerfing ... easy enough to construct a bending form from scrap cardboard , and I could re-cycle it later on ... even if I had to bend 1” thick foam and glue it together that would be OK too as I could overlap the seams , and even leave an overhang in the rear to help with drag reduction ... ... and for Ribs I could use the 2” (or thicker) foam “arches" (formers) with the wooden stringers inserted (glued ) into notches and to the outer shell panels . Thinking the overall structural strength is in the cylindrical shape anyway so it would be inherently torsionally stiff.. the “sock” just holding all the bits together ... It would be Light and Streamline..
I just need an Engineer to confirm my “speculations”