Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[Wolffarmer]

KC, nice looking hitch. I have thought about building one for my currant trailer. But after my adventure last month, and others, it may not be that necessary. I have taken it on some pretty rough roads, about all I want to do with the set up I have and the ball hitch has done pretty good. Even the cheap coupler I have is still working. But much worse and I would really be looking to build something like yours.

Randy

[KCStudly]

Thanks Randy (Wolffarmer). Yeah, the hitch and the whole off road suspension are probably way overkill for the types of conditions that I will be taking the trailer into. I admit it, but the TV is a Jeep with a mild lift and larger tires than stock, so decided to go for it.

I have followed your adventures (your latest trip) and always enjoy your sense of wry humor in your posts.

Looking forward to following your imminent build. Have you started a build thread yet? Take some pics of the steel you have collected and start one up. I think I saw your new side profile posted somewhere, you could link or add that in, too.

[eaglesdare]

campers looking good steve.


went to lowes last night and had a 'oh crap' moment. nothing like waiting til the last minute to buy supplies for a build weekend. they only had 3 sheets of the 2" foam. so we had to ask a worker to help us get it down. as we started talking he told me he has 2 more pallets in the back that he will restock the shelves last night. so i am going back today to get more of the foam. i was extremely worried for a moment that i would not have any foam to do my build.

[Wobbly Wheels]

Hehe, same thing happened to me - I went in for another four sheets of 1" and all they had was 1.5" and 2" shiplap.
Fortunately, I dug around and found another 'bale' or 1" and got him to drag it down for me.
I thought it was funny, now that I'm finally making some progress on Project Glacier.

In other news, I think I'm going to glue the foam panels with GG rather than epoxy. Well, not GG - the had an Elmer's PU glue on sale so I picked some up to try. Seems to be just the trick...

[GPW]

You know , I really like C+Ts idea about using the bamboo skewers to pin the foam together ... and then just why not leave them ... They are dirt cheap , are a quick aid to panel alignment , and do reinforce the join , depending how many are used and how big their diameter is ... Sorta’ like Conedraggers’ dad’s idea about pinning with dowels ... but more thrifty ..
That Plus GG(PU) should be more than Strong !!!

You guys are lucky ... all I can find here is 1/2” at the HD or L’s ... grrr!!!

[SteveW]

Got to Lowes to look for panels the other day and they had all kinds of stuff except what I wanted. The stocker said that was their slowest selling aisle of all and that they usually have to get a whole bunch when they reorder, so they don't reorder very often. Luckily he checked one of the other stores nearby and they should have plenty. Now to get the trailer done so I have something to bring them home with.

[GPW]

Empty trailers sure do come in Handy sometimes ... But I do have trouble explaining to the wife why there are 5 trailers in the yard ... and want more ... I fear if I get any more , there’ll be an “intervention” and I’ll have to go to TTA meetings ...

[GPW]

Eagle , this is just for you ...... Baby Eagles ... http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

[eaglesdare]

thanks gpw! i've been following that one, posted the link in the off topic section. so darn cool!

[eaglesdare]

i think there are 4 teardrops out in my yard. waiting on 3 more. hubby went to lowes and picked up some more foam. right now i am making dinner to feed everyone, the guys out back are getting a fire ready. hopefully the rain will hold off and we can get some work done. but the temps did drop. brrrrrr its cold out there.

[Wobbly Wheels]

You know , I really like C+Ts idea about using the bamboo skewers to pin the foam together

Hehe...you can barely make out one of the ones I used to hold the lower back panel on while I was shaping it. Great idea.

[Wolfgang92025]

You guys are lucky ... all I can find here is 1/2” at the HD or L’s ... grrr!!!

GPW, all you have to do is move north, maybe about a 1000 miles and you won't have any trouble finding the 2' stuff

[GPW]

I talked to the manager at Loew’s , and he said , “Sure I can get you some ! “ ... but I had to buy a whole pallet , and at the retail price , plus pay the shipping .... I said , “ Er , NO !!!! “ Cheaper to move North eh WG ???

We’ve been using bamboo skewers for years and years now for little Foamie planes , works Great ... and if you look around you can find some really Thick ones ... or do as I do and save my chopsticks ... must have hundreds right now , that will surely go into the next foamie trailer build ...

[SteveW]

My steel arrived today, which was a great sight to see! My wife, of course, thinks I'm a nutter to be so excited about a pile of metal.

The only downside is that it's now the END of our Spring Break, and I hoped to have all this stuff at the BEGINNING of the break so I could be working on it. The rest of the weekend is already shot, as we have a (non-TD) camping/kayaking trip planned. Next weekend being Easter, we'll be bringing the kids to see my folks. And then the following weekend we have another (non-TD) camping/kayaking trip with my wife's family. I have a bad feeling that I may still have a pile of steel sitting in the garage a month from now.

[GPW]

SW, our wives always think we’ve gone round, with some of these projects ... That is , until they’re finished ... then they brag about our efforts ... Go figure ???
Seems like your camping is getting in the way of your camping ....