Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

Jack , I always used to watch John Nagy as a kid .. that was some time ago ... That’s a great “method “ ...
JMHO , Modern Artists should be put into a small room and be forced watch hours and hours of John Nagy ... maybe Art wouldn’t have deteriorated to the sad state of “Whatever Expressionism “ it is today ... requiring no artistic skills, but rather a good line of BS and a gimmick ...

[mezmo]

... maybe Art wouldn’t have deteriorated to the sad state of “Whatever Expressionism “ it is today ... requiring no artistic skills, but rather a good line of BS and a gimmick ...

I agree ! ! ! I agree ! ! !

I try to give the benefit of the doubt, but try as hard as I might, "Modern Art" just doesn't make it. Give me
realism - and it's variations [meaning: something that's at least recognizable please !] anyday ! Even
recognizable twists on realism are OK with me. But paint splotches aren't abstract, they're just lazy.

I believe I recall reading an article about Picasso, once, in which he said that the artists of his era decided
they couldn't top the classicist/realism painters, so they decided to swerve off into what 'modern art's'
various "isms" became. He must have started the, " a good line of BS and a gimmick " movement, aka, the
"Ego Am It" school of self, and general, art snookery.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[GPW]

Thanks Norm ! I should have also mentioned that in “Modern art” , it’s the Art Dealer that makes all the Money .... the artists sadly only get “ a crust” ... Dirty business this ... Nothing to do about the Old School values of “Truth and Beauty” .... All about the MONEY now ...

Back to Foamies .... there seems to be a trend developing among the Foamlings’ .... There’s the first Foamie , which I guess proves , yes , this does indeed work .... (entry level ? Gateway -Foamie’ ) And then thoughts wander off the Foamie #2 which is always more Elaborate and Bigger .... Which makes me think (once again) if we need to come up with a Standard Simple Foamie (SSF) ... like a "trainer” Foamie ... Just a “box” ... using standard off the shelf materials , and requiring Minimum cutting ... Minimum skilled labor necessary ... the old 4’X8’ camper is still really a Nice size , if it’s made Wide enough ... a “Beginner Foamie’ design , which would exemplify the usual accepted methods of construction , skinning and Finishing... Or at least a “concept” that could be used as a basis of ideas for further design ... A simple visual example of the "basic foam building concepts" for those yet uninitiated into the Foam Universe...

[GPW]

Further thoughts .... FWIW ... Having a Standard Foamie requires a Standard trailer to put it on ... HF 4’X8' trailers are OK , but really a 5’X 8’ trailer is so much BETTER ... any Favorite (and affordable ) 5' wides ... ???

[Jack B.]

Other than intruding wheel wells is there really a problem with using the 4' wide trailers with a 6"-10" overhang on the sides? The structures are so light that, if you have a sturdy floor pan, shouldn't everything hang together just fine? I realize if you're going to scale up to an RV sized walk-around/live in abode it might be good to have the trailer frame supporting what will be a much bigger load. But at that stage of the game are we really going to depend on a light weight frame from Harbor Freight or the local big box outlet bolt together kit? If we're ready for that then we're going to at least be looking at a heavy duty boat trailer to modify.

These smaller "boxes" are more for camping. Tents do the job but aren't as nice 'cause you have to pack everything up for every move.

I built a wooden clam shell "coffin" for my 4'X4' bolt together kit trailer. It's 40" wide to fit between the fenders and 6' 6" long. What I did was buy an 8' long fairly heavy C-beam and bolted it front to back with a foot and a half sticking out the back and about three feet in front with the original tongue beam bolted to it. The reason for keeping the original tongue is because MN has permanent utility trailer license stickers that you stick to the tongue and I didn't want to buy another. And it's easy to swap things back to stock if need be.

I bolt the box to the frame and have a 2"X4" run across (glued & screwed) the front and the back for support bolted to the C-beam. If I were to haul heavy weight I would center it over the frame and axle. But since it's main use is for sleeping when camping and is very light weight I have no fear of failure.

Jack

[GPW]

QUOTE: "These smaller "boxes" are more for camping. Tents do the job but aren't as nice 'cause you have to pack everything up for every move.”
That’s Exactly the point !!!
I just feel the extra width(stance) of the trailer would be more stable in “cross winds” ... even on the small boxes ... It does make the flooring more “complicated’ on the wider one than a straight 4’X8’ ... and allows you to go 6’ Wide if you like , giving ~ 50sq. ft. of interior apace in the short length ... a little “stretching” room ... much appreciated by we “Large frame “ body types ... more room for gear too ...

[wagondude]

Tractor Supply and Northern Tool both have five-wide trailers. The HF trailer can easily be made wider. I wouldn't widen the axle (some have in the past). By the time you add the cost of a new axle, you could have bought one of the others. Other farm stores around the country would be sources of trailers. Otherwise, a talk with the local welding shop is probably the best bet. As far as a standard "first foamie", The weekender is as easy as it gets.

[Jack B.]

Well there's n easy solution to side wind stability that you've all overlooked. Simply build the tear drop shape sideways. Then airflow patterns would just "water off a ducks back" it over the trailer. I know, next you're going to tell me about the towing characteristics when pulling an 8'-10' wide box down the road. I swear, sometimes there's just no pleasing you guys. http://tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply ... c7af643ae#

Or should the beer come after you get to the camp ground?

I hope all you have to do to insert the cutey pix into a post is drag the emoticon http address over. Otherwise you might not get the droll humor above. Droll does mean not all that funny, right?

Jack

[Jack B.]

It would appear there's more to getting smilies in than just drag and drop. Clues? Hints? Probably not a problem if I was a rocket scientist.

Jack

[GPW]

Jack , the Beer always comes first and along ... If you’ve read , it’s the BALLAST ... Very important to Foamlings !!!
Good thing you aren't a rocket scientist , cause’ we aren’t either ... Just plain ordinary folks here , looking for a Comfortable , lightweight, Thrifty camper that we won’t have to “baby" , build a garage for , and won’t have to rebuild it in a few years because of ROT ... The Essence of Foamies !!! The “Thinking Man’s (or Ladies’ ) Camping trailer ...

[wagondude]

You just click directly on the one you want (example: ) and it puts the code in whever the curser is.















If you click where it says "View more smilies", it opens a new window with more. You still just click the one you want and it goes directly to the curser location. Give it a try.

[Mary C]

I have thought a lot about this but to celebrate my 200th posting I will take the box or bottled wine and new glasses as ballast to hold down my TD. I am getting closer to my build now and I will be experimenting putting pictures on and start taking them tonight.

I got it! I got it! I am working hard this afternoon to bring in the trailer parts from the boxes and checking the contents. I do have a couple of questions should I put the ballast in before I build or wait till I put in the floor? I am using 1/4 inch ply down first then 2inch foam then finish that Canvas then put on the walls then the top, then the hatch. Canvas then put on the doors I may be somewhat confused in the order but I know I am almost ready and soooooooo excited!!!!!

I am re reading about the glue and the other stuff so I can make sure of the process ......but.......I think I can!!!! I guess I will wait till I get more of the foam and canvas but I am so excited .......... maybe I need to calm down and do something .

Mary C.

[eaglesdare]

not sure of your order, but this is what i did: floor, walls, canvas.

[GPW]

Mary, 1/4” is a little thin for a floor ... The floor holds EVERYTHING ...

[KCStudly]

GeeP-W, Read it again. I think MaryC is planning on laminating 2 inch foam on top of her 1/4 floor bottom, then topping that with canvas, then adding walls, etc.

That should make a stiff enough floor, but I would still like to see some sort of hard layer on the top side of the floor for puncture resistance. Wouldn't want to press a bunch of dents into the top by kneeling on it. Just thoughts.