Foamie Design ... Mike’s Weekender

[GPW]

The Weekender is sure a nice design , especially for making a Foamie ... Nice straight lines , no kerfing or bending , very aerodynamic ... and it can be modified to suit your needs and taste... viewtopic.php?f=2&t=49470

And naturally here’s my “take” on it ... the rounded foam front end being easy to do , and offers a bit more aerodynamics along with the rear structure (aero fins) which theoretically should reduce drag , and provide a slight overhang to keep the weather out , should you build a Galley, or cooking storage area in the back ...

[mikeschn]

So why did you make the front end round? Now you are back to kerfing!

Mike...

[GPW]

Mike, Apologies !!! That was just an alternative , presenting a smoother flow to the “relative winds” ... The pointed nose design , which can be rounded a bit using foam is almost equally efficient as far as airflow...
Bending , maybe not ... what about just gluing on an extra layer of 2” and “shape" the roundness in ( and you’d still have the thin ply “nose roof skin" inside to brace the nose area if desired ) ... Probably just as messy as kerfing , maybe requiring more skill, and as yet nobody’s tried heat bending , which really works well ... Several ways of going about it ... really unnecessary as the Original design is Excellent in every way.. Easy to make a Foamie !!! I used the basis of it for my Foamie , and am Most Happy with it , although it could be a bit WIDER !!!

[Jerry & Molly]

I've been studying the design you came up and was wondering if being able to open the whole backend (aero fins and all) wouldn't give you better access to the kitchen area? The weight would be almost nothing and the fins would be out of the way during lunchtime . Knowing myself I would find a way to stumble into them .

[GPW]

Good Idea !! The only thing with hinging on the roof is you lose the overhang protection from water .. You could make the fins fold out (hinged )to be out of the way , or a windbreak when needed ...

[eaglesdare]

i've been thinking about having my back wall just hinged on so i can open it up. why could it not be hinged under an overhang?

[mikeschn]

Glenn,

Now you are going to be famous for... FINS that swing out of the way!!!

Mike...

[GPW]

Mike , all the reading indicates it does reduce Drag ... Maybe better on High Speed TDs ... You know , the ones that pass you like you’re standing still when you’re doing the speed limit ...

[chezrad]

Could just throw some airtabs on it.

http://www.buyairtab.com/shop/individua ... te-airtab/

[GPW]

That’s a good idea too ... every little bit helps , right ?

[tinksdad]

Don't you guys sleep? My computer says you're posting at 3 in the morning. I thought only us "old farts" were up that time of the night.

As far as the fins..... would be a good place to mount some bullet style tail lights.... ala 60's Cadillac.

[GPW]

Time must be off , I swear I didn’t get up before 04:00 ...

[Hartse25]

This thread is kind of old, so I hope you guys will still see this. I've been doing s lot of research and I am definitely leaning toward the foam side. I've drawn up some plans, using the Ben Roy plans as my starting point, but I really like these plans. I like the idea of not having to make any kerfs. My trailer is 5 x 8. How do I join 2 pieces to make my room piece wide enough? Can I just glue 2 pieces together? Would it be better to glue the pieces in the middle, or off to one side or the other?

Thanks,
Erin

[ghcoe]

You can just glue two pieces together or how ever more you need. I like the weekender and similar grasshopper designs too. Nearly made a grasshopper, but then decided I needed to keep my length down to 8 feet for my TV and simplicity. Here are some pictures of a original grasshopper. Pretty cool little trailers. http://www.outbackteardrop.com/grasshopper.html

[Hartse25]

Ooooh, I really like the look of those grasshoppers. I looked at my traile again and it is 5x10, not 5x8. If I built with just foam, even if I built it 5 or 6 feet tall, it should still be light enough to tow easily, shouldn't it? I don't have a toe vehicle yet, my lease is up on my little car this spring and I am looking at a little suv or crossover type vehicle. Most have a tow rating of 1500-2000 pounds. I am going to work up some plans and see what I can come up with.