Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

TOWM, I was impressed that it could be flattened and then bent to most any shape ... There’s our cheap ribs ...

[eaglesdare]

i am on my way for my second trip of the year. this time i am taking 2 of the grandkids and simba of course. wonder how roomy that will be tonight. have a great weekend everyone, will report back with some pics i hope on sunday.

[Tiredoldwhiteman]

There’s our cheap ribs

Cheap and strong (reminds me of some after shave)...

Our local Habitat Re-Store usually has a fairly full bin of PVC in various lengths...Usually not much more than three or four feet, but for some applications this shorter length ought to be no problem...And the price is right (frugal, not cheap)...

I utilized a goodly bit of time watching the bow vids. Thanks for the lead.

[GPW]

TOWM, I had No idea PVC was so Strong and flexible ... Being able to work it with just a heat gun and a board , bending it around pots etc. just adds a whole new bucket full of idea (s) to the Foamie equation... Many chances to use that instead of wood ...

[droid_ca]

not only is pvc strong but you could use it to have an extension on the outside of your trailer like BobHenry has for a side curtain depending on the diameter of the stuff you have it would be a good place to keep your beer or if you go smaller you can run you wires through it or small cubby storage holes for keys and what not

[GPW]

Hmmm??? Makes one wonder what you could do with Square PVC tubing ... door /window framing ? .. shelf and bed supports ... No Rot , no worries ...

[pete42]

Hmmm??? Makes one wonder what you could do with Square PVC tubing ... door /window framing ? .. shelf and bed supports ... No Rot , no worries ...

on some of the travel trailers with holding tanks
others have used the square pvc fence post bolted to their bumpers to store the dump hose
no rust some also used them under their trailers to carry fishing poles, and awning poles.
lots of things only limited by ones imagination which on this site is great.

pete

[GPW]

Pete, we’re gonna’ have to make a List of all the things we can do with it ... Off to the HD to investigate ... Least I’ll do is make a bow or two ... and might mention that in the wildcat in the camp thread too ...

[GPW]

First impression ... This is TOUGH stuff ... My little heat gun wasn’t up top the job .... I could get it to bend , but not Hot enough to get it to flatten ...
I was Totally WRONG in originally thinking PVC was just another weak ”Plastic" ... No way Dude !!!

Looks like I’ve finally found the ribs for my FoamStream ...

[loaderman]

Do you need ribs for a curved foam? Just form it then put foam in it, then canvass the inside, flip over attach to side and end wall panels and canvass outside. with canvass on both sides it won't go anywhere.

I think canvassing panels on inside first then building it , then canvassing outside is the way to go.

[Wobbly Wheels]

I was Totally WRONG in originally thinking PVC was just another weak ”Plastic" ... No way Dude !!!

I've had a 48' sailboat covered all winter with poly tarps over 1" PVC bows. Not only does it keep the rain off the boat while the decks are being re-teaked, it has survived all winter including winds up to 186 km/h (116 mph).
Sometimes the fittings break and need to be replaced, but I would have no concerns about using them for ribs once you figured out what glues will stick to it. I'll try and remember to take a pic after I pull off the tarps in another 4-6 weeks.

I've also used it for knife sheaths for fillet knives on the boat - I use a 1500W heat gun and it softens it really well. If you're bending it, be careful that the inside of the curve doesn't kink because it will crack there. I needed a curtain rod a while ago and didn't have any dowel or pipe handy so I filled the inside of a piece of 1" with canned foam (16" long). I wouldn't hang a lot of weight on it, but for a few shirts and a set of rain gear it was fine.

[Wolffarmer]

I was Totally WRONG in originally thinking PVC was just another weak ”Plastic" ... No way Dude !!!

Sometimes the fittings break and need to be replaced, but I would have no concerns about using them for ribs once you figured out what glues will stick to it. I

There is a special glue for PVC. That is the only thing that I know will stick to it. not cheap and has a shelf life. I have used it to plug holes in a PVC high pressure irrigation main line.

Randy

[droid_ca]

what about using steam to bend the PVC

[Wolffarmer]

I am pretty sure it will not be hot enough. Unless it is in some pressure vessel and I don't think we want to go there.

Randy

[Wobbly Wheels]

There is a special glue for PVC.

If it's the same as the solvent cement used to join it for plumbing, then I know what you mean. The trouble is that it doesn't bond anything except PVC. I was trying to think of something that would bond foam to it, but drawing a blank.
Is that stuff you used the same as the regular PVC cement ?

PVC is rated for hot water use so steam wouldn't be hot enough. Unless there's another alternative with a lower temperature rating. Maybe PVC conduit or ABS ?
There is a thinwall PVC used for central vacuums that might bend easier, but AFAIK it comes only in 2" OD.