Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[atahoekid]

hey foamies...

some of us are just on the sidelines for reasons Other than wood vs foam. and I'm simply cheering on all of you pioneers until I get my build going (hoping for next summer).

Nothing wrong with watching and waiting. These things seem to happen on their own time. As long as you're open minded about it, you're welcome here. You're also encouraged to share your ideas and ask questions. Again as long as you're open minded and not sitting there telling us it won't work or can't be done. We now have the evidence to refute those statements

[Ned B]

oh I'm sold... much as a classic woodie appeals to my sense of style as a woodworker, I'm going to build 'one' trailer and I want it to last. (yeah, I know... how many TD builders have built more than one?) Foam makes sense on all the levels mentioned in the humongous thread & with all of your successful builds. I'm taking notes, and when I get the $ together, I'll be putting mine together.

Besides, I also have nothing but respect for all of those who've taken the plunge already, no matter what their style of TD/Standie/Slouchie etc... and I was always taught that applause was better than jeers. no way I'm going to rip on anyone's choice of building materials or methodology, after all they're Building or have built already.

[eaglesdare]

oh I'm sold... much as a classic woodie appeals to my sense of style as a woodworker, I'm going to build 'one' trailer and I want it to last. (yeah, I know... how many TD builders have built more than one?) Foam makes sense on all the levels mentioned in the humongous thread & with all of your successful builds. I'm taking notes, and when I get the $ together, I'll be putting mine together.

Besides, I also have nothing but respect for all of those who've taken the plunge already, no matter what their style of TD/Standie/Slouchie etc... and I was always taught that applause was better than jeers. no way I'm going to rip on anyone's choice of building materials or methodology, after all they're Building or have built already.

i'll be cleaning mine up today or tomorrow and covering it for the winter. i am officially done for this years camping season (#2 for the foamie). hopefully it will make it thru another season next year. still haven't made any progress on the second one.

[GPW]

TWO camping seasons !!! Well proven now ... Take your time , have Fun making the second one ...

Just occurred to me that an easy way of making a Smoother surface , would be to apply paper to the foam First , then the canvas/fabric .. Since I’ll be using the beadboard on the new one , which seems to have a slightly Rougher surface than the sheet foam , that might be ideal ... having done many Kraft paper (brown) over foam (BB) wings in the past .. the paper bridges any dents gaps etc. and shrinks slightly when dry to a nice Smooth surface ... Ideal as a base for the Fabric ... and Thrifty ... just a Thought ... I don’t want the FoamStream to come out looking like lumpy gravy ...

Ned , as a woodworker , you should find this a very EASY method ... everything’s lightweight , easy to manage , cuts like butter, sands easy (messy though) .... Simple!!! ... Difficulty : One out of Five ... I know you’ll enjoy it !!!
And help is always available here at Foamwarts' for those who ask ...

[eaglesdare]

ad if i divide the total approx cost by 2 (camping seasons) that makes it 650 a season. next season will be even better.
now about that second build. if i could just get that stupid floor down and could cover it, so it does not get destroyed, i would be good to work on the rest as time/money allowed. that is my first problem. my second one is: i just can't decide on my shape. i am not going to really even think about the second one again until feb/march 2013. then i think i will kick it in gear and get it done.

[GPW]

Gosh , in 50 years , your cost will have dropped to $26.00 a year ...

[droid_ca]

So I might become part foamie (just don't tell know one)I have been looking into different building techniques and I can go light and strong with limited amounts of wood but I'll be securing it with foam...just wishing that it would be a little more thrifty but beggars can't be choosers

[GPW]

Thrifty depends on your ability to “find” materials ... My first Foamie only cost me ~650USD... I thought that was pretty Thrifty ...
The FoamStream build will be another hopefully Thrifty project .... Trying to keep the price under 1K USD ... Already got the trailer for Free, the Foam was cheap, the ribs only cost the price of the wood ... (120USD) Not much left to buy really ... nothing expensive really ... So far 250 USD and counting ...
Thrifty is a Game for me ... I could just go buy the things I need , and still come out waaay less than a commercial unit that size . But Why ? This is Fun and challenging , giving the old guy something worthy to do that I don’t have to break the piggy bank . Cheaper than Golf ... More thought provoking !

[bonnie]

Thrifty also means using those things you bought for other projects, but didn't use. I have all the lighting and such. It's also one of the reasons I bought BUB to kick start my own idea and re-purpose what had already been done. Now that the roof is off, sized and in the basement awaiting further work; I can get at the bottom and get it underway. I wish I had a heated garage, but I don't. Most of what I'm planning can be built and then moved to the garage to install. Sanding doesn't take heat; generates it though.

[GPW]

Bonnie, the BUB was a Good deal !!!

[eaglesdare]

Bonnie, the BUB was a Good deal !!!

[GPW]

This thought just came to me about the BUB and the design ... had to make a drawing .. easy way to make a Standy/Foldy... and I finally figured out some really SIMPLE roof supports ... Thinking a normal TD door on the side would all that’s necessary for egress, but you wouldn’t be able to get in with the roof down ... flush mounted hinges and handle necessary ... possible for the galley in the back , you put the top up and it exposes the galley area...
Easy to make one open up 7’+ tall and still have room to spare ... 6’ wide on the inside and you’d have a Serious amount of cu.ft. ... lots of room for built in beds , dinettes , cabinets, sinks ... all that Fun stuff ..

[atahoekid]

Droid,

Speaking as someone who didn't go the thrifty route, I know there is a definite art to being thrifty. I still managed to buy a couple used parts here and there, used some lumber and plywood I had already left from other projects, etc. But I also only bought materials as I had income for. I didn't use any credit cards, I just waited till I had cash on hand. Luckily, between the wife and I we have a good income stream. so I guess that's being "thrifty" too. Don't go into debt to do this, my experience is there's always another part of the project that you can do while you're waiting for payday... And still way "thriftier" than a traditional build or than a commercial RV.

[bonnie]

Bonnie, the BUB was a Good deal !!!

I think so too. I am so wanting to have it done in time to take it to the Crossroads gathering next summer. I'm saving my pennies and plotting and planning. Plus, cleaning the garage uncovered several things I forgot about. Fun stuff happening around here right now.

[Ned B]

Sort of a foamie Hi-Lo?

This thought just came to me about the BUB and the design ... had to make a drawing .. easy way to make a Standy/Foldy... and I finally figured out some really SIMPLE roof supports ... Thinking a normal TD door on the side would all that’s necessary for egress, but you wouldn’t be able to get in with the roof down ... flush mounted hinges and handle necessary ... possible for the galley in the back , you put the top up and it exposes the galley area...
Easy to make one open up 7’+ tall and still have room to spare ... 6’ wide on the inside and you’d have a Serious amount of cu.ft. ... lots of room for built in beds , dinettes , cabinets, sinks ... all that Fun stuff ..