spar spacing

[del]

i am building a modified version of the new kampster (10 ft long with a smaller hatch)(thanks andrew). my ? is the spars, how far to space them? the front is as andrews page presented it (24" r). is any guide lines here if i change the dimentions (yes i begining to plan the second tear)

thank you
del

[Miriam C.]

Spar spacing depends on your width and the weight they will support. Mine is 6" 4" and I have mine at 12" but they are a true 1"x1" 1/2". They seem to provide just enough support. The spars on the front that float over the frame and provide support for the bed are closer but I don't remember how much closer.

Good luck

[jplock]

Ya'll
I spaced mine every 12 inches, they were 1"x 1.5" spruce, the span was aproxamately 57 inches. Also if there was a slight warp in it the spar the crown side was tuned to the top, so that any weight would tend to straighten it. If you were to put the crown side down it would tend to bow inward even more. This is a trick my father in law has used in carpentry for years that he told me about.
jplock

[mikeschn]

a 12" spacing is good, except in the roof vent area, where you'll want to use a 14 1/4" spacing...

Mike...

[jplock]

That right I also did 14" spacing in the vent area also.
jplock

[asianflava]

Mine is 5ft wide, I spaced 1X2s (1.5"X.75") 12" on center, with the wide side down. I chose 12" because it is easy for me to remember, also if I manage to find one, it's easier to figure out where the other ones are.

[del]

i noticed in the generic benroy plans the spacing changed from when it went around a curve to when it went across a flat area (or am i just seeing things).

del

[doug hodder]

Del...this might be something to think about...when moving a tear around on campground terrain...you will for sure be pushing on the front of the tear at some point...I'd check by standing next to it and seeing roughly where you might push on the tear...stick in a spar at that location. A couple of extras on the front at the curve won't add that much weight, and may in the long run prevent any damage to aluminum (dent) or otherwise....just what I've found...Doug

[madjack]

our spars are onna 9" spread...this was mainly 'cause it worked out evenly thataway for the distance covered...we also used bendy ply on the ceiling/roof and found there was a slight tendency for it to sag on the flat portions of the roof when the spars were onna 12" spacing........
madjack

[mikeschn]

i noticed in the generic benroy plans the spacing changed from when it went around a curve to when it went across a flat area (or am i just seeing things).

del

The spacing definitely changed in the area of the roof vent. Everything else started out on 12" centers, and was then adjusted to fit the available space. So the numbers won't be quite perfect, but the spacing looks good!

Mike...

[del]

thank you for all your help and input. if there is a few more decent weather days i will install the spars.

del