Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[linuxmanxxx]

Lol no the altered pic.

[loaderman]

How about roll down curtains to the sides and back of the deck area for when it rains, Great porch area.

[GPW]

Oops !!! My Dumb !!! Steve, that’s about it ... I worked off your pic and it wasn’t large ... But if you copy it to your desktop , your viewer might be able to make it larger ...? Maybe the one in my album is a little larger ...

[linuxmanxxx]

Send me an email and I'll send you the full size original to doctor up. Have you played with sketchup yet?

[eaglesdare]

we are pretty much set up for the next 3 nights now. hubby decided to come along afterall. so we also have a tent, with a/c. i've already given 1 tour and had another group ask about this. they said "is that a tiny camper?" and everyone is saying how beautiful simba is.

will post if we have anything exciting to say. maybe post a pic or two. tomorrow we are going tubing.

[GPW]

Have a Great time !!! Take plenty

[eaglesdare]

they sure do pack em in here. no privacy between sites at all. no place for simba to well um...do his business. i have to walk like 1/4- 1/2 mile down the road to get to grass for him.

its just such a difference between private campgrounds and state campgrounds.

[GPW]

Eagle , take notes .... we need you to evaluate the sites that are more Foam Friendly ( and Dog friendly ) ... while you’re out there and all ....

[GPW]

Just another passing thought ... Considering using beadboard foam on the next build ... a matter of economy, and availability
... The beadboad responds differently to sanding and will produce a “rougher” surface than the extruded foam sheets... The thought was to pre-cover the foam with HEAVY (thick ) Kraft paper in the large flat areas... which would provide a much more leveled surface for the Canvas attachment ... and even more skin strength... The Kraft paper is inexpensive , strong and once painted/glued , waterproof ... and as it dries it shrinks slightly , drawing the surface even smoother ...I used this on foam wings long ago , with great success... For the interior , the “torn paper” interior would adequately add the inner skin and be
"decorative” too ... easy to do ... or the Kraft paper could be just used to cover the interior and painted or maybe some wallpaper could be added .... All what you want ...
Whether canvas or paper or plywood, it’s all plant fibers init? ...

[KCStudly]

I think the idea is great and would have all of the benefits that you mention. However, iffen you don't jump on that foam you will miss out on it and the point will be moot. (Sorry, reality check.)

Then there is the practical side of things. Does the benefit justify the effort? I have learned that, while the process (pick one) is not especially difficult, each step or process adds time, material, complexity, and time. I know, I know, you have time, but time is effort and effort takes effort and material, and material is money; doesn't matter how much... it adds up.

Would it not cost about the same or less in materials and be less effort to just paint a few leveling coats of cheap wrong color paint on to the slightly rougher foam before applying the canvas coat?

I'd love to see you try your kraft paper method in test and/or full scale, because I think it would be neat and sturdy and unique, but (reality check) I don't think it will be simple or thrifty, in the end, or an efficient use of time (i.e. you will be exhausted after the effort...everything sounds simple until you do it).

I know, it sounds like I am the doom sayer, but I'm slogging it out in the heat and humidity and nothing is simple or thrifty enough for me to consider adding a layer of... of... of everything; material, application, time, effort, repair of flaws (there will be flaws), material, application, time, effort, repeat.

(Reality check; did I mention that I am at that point in my build where I am wondering if I will ever get done?)

Sorry, don't mean to be a downer. Just my $.02 in the state I'm in at the moment. Take it for what it is.

The decorative Paper-mâché interior must absolutely take time, but it is highly decorative and therefore, IMHO, has merit on that basis alone.

(Surgeon General's warning: Adult beverage was involved in this reply , no offense intended.)

[GPW]

Not to worry !!! All I have is Time !!! Retired ! And I thrive on projects like this .... (keeps the old guy Busy)

KC . my whole life has been a series of “projects” ... Blessed with being an Artist , no one expects anything else , and are not surprised by the many “crazy” things I make ... The wife , the band , my friends , all accept whatever comes out of my efforts , and there is always some skepticism , until finished ... Then all is justified...

Just thinking , the Foamie beadboard camper , would be “different” , therefore more Fun to work out the peculiarities of that material, and just another Thrifty Option for other Foamlings ... We already know how extruded foam works ...done that ... So this would be something new (an experiment)... requiring a new approach/thinking/creativity ... And a fifth the price of the EX foam sheets ... That’s important on my retirement budget ... Figuring worse comes to worse , I’ll end up with a Big ole’ Igloo Cooler on wheels ... Perfect place to be in this summer’s Heat ....

My motto : Cheap , Cold Beer !!!!

[atahoekid]

Say KC... Don't let the build get you down. Your is by far the most complicated build of a foamie yet and I can see why it's at times overwhelming. Mine is not near as complicated (or well engineered and built) as yours and I too have gotten frustrated. I was forced (by other things going on in life) to put the project aside for a couple weeks. When I did get back to it, I was excited to get back and am now working at a good pace again.

My advice FWIW, give yourself a 10 day to two week break and come back refreshed, rejuvenated and excited

Hang in there. You'll get it done and it will be well worth the time, effort and occasional frustration.

[GPW]

Just a word about Foamies ..... FUN !!! This should be an Enjoyable activity ... The reason I kept mine Simple ...

[KCStudly]

Say KC... Don't let the build get you down. Your is by far the most complicated build of a foamie yet and I can see why it's at times overwhelming. Mine is not near as complicated (or well engineered and built) as yours and I too have gotten frustrated. I was forced (by other things going on in life) to put the project aside for a couple weeks. When I did get back to it, I was excited to get back and am now working at a good pace again.

My advice FWIW, give yourself a 10 day to two week break and come back refreshed, rejuvenated and excited

Hang in there. You'll get it done and it will be well worth the time, effort and occasional frustration.

Good advice Mel, and thank you for the kind words. We are still going to take at least a week vacation, but will be staying much closer to home; here in New England, or maybe upstate NY or PA. The wife wasn't too keen when I suggested that I would like to use the second week of vacation to work on TPCE. I think having the deadline pushed out another season will go a long way to helping me relax and enjoy the rest of the build.

Thanks.

[GPW]

Seems most everyone is taking a vacation now , or just hiding from the Heat !!! Too hot to be outside building ...