FoamStream...

[GPW]

Mel, the big problem is Foamies are so much Fun to build , you just can’t have one .... I do rather enjoy the designing building part , and not requiring the expense , tools , skills , or time and Money as would be required to make a wooden one , it’s so easy to start another and have more FUN ... Now , admittedly, the wife still doesn’t quite appreciate my efforts , yet , but she’s getting used to the idea ... and because they’re not pricy to make , she’s more understanding .... sorta’

Secretly , I think she'd like me to sell one before moving on to another ... which does make sense , because like building houses , the third one’s Free...

[Tiredoldwhiteman]

Here’s some former designs ... all foam (save the door framing) ... Easy ..

GPW,

Why not construct scrap ply, pegboard, etc. temporary formers such as are used in building clinker-hulled boats ("lap-strake")? You could literally lay up the Foamstream plank style using foam for the planks.

Makes a good use for scrap and cuts down expenses...

Just a thought...

[Tiredoldwhiteman]

Here’s some former designs ... all foam (save the door framing) ... Easy ..

Sort of like this (photo at bottom-right of page):

http://www.grapeviewpointboatworks.com/ ... uild3.html

[GPW]

TOWM ... Just seems like too much work for me ... unless I was going to make a few of them ... The formers in mine will also act as walls / “room dividersâ€

[Tiredoldwhiteman]

[quote="GPW"]TOWM ...
[SNIP]
The formers in mine will also act as walls / “room dividersâ€

[GPW]

TOWM , just thinking of trying to do the Best job I can on this one ... I learned all the RV wallpaper and moulding tricks for making them look Good inside ... hoping this one will replace the swiftly decomposing Jayco TT in my driveway ... Half the weight , half the Drag (or more ) better insulated , easy to maintain , and made to live outside ... That’s the Goal ... and at app. 16’ OAL X 6’ W X 6’6â€

[Tiredoldwhiteman]

[SNIP]
...decomposing Jayco TT...
[SNIP]

And a ready source of material?

[GPW]

TOWM , unfortunately , the Jayco has nothing in it worth saving ...
Seems the company went all out to use the Cheapest materials possible , specialized low end (but high priced to us ) RV appliances ( stove , WH, and reefer,AC ), and the rest is off brand junk ... Even their seat cushions , are uncomfortable , and the material coverings water stain with just humidity ... I think the only thing I can re-use is the Mr. Christopher medal over the door ...

Besides , after hanging around here , we’ve learned to use the Best materials for the job , and take the time and care to assemble it properly ... Something the RV industry should have never forgotten while in their search for Maximum Profits , at the expense of the owners ...

[Tiredoldwhiteman]

[SNIP]
...search for Maximum Profits , at the expense of the owners ...

Yup...Agreed...

Too bad about the Jayco for providing parts...Ho well...

Do you know if anyone has successfully created a "pop-down" dropped floor? I have a clearance problem for storage; 82" max height. I'd like to design a standie foamie within that total height parameter and a few-inches deep "well" simply isn't enough to get a requisite 6' interior.

What I thought might work would be a raise-able/lower-able well; lipped on the top (setting into a rabbet to allow the well to rest flush to the floor in the down position) as well as lipped on the bottom, gasketed so as to seal out road wash...Sort of a box in a square-hole configuration...

I'm trying to figure out a reasonably simple method of raising and lowering the "box" whilst keeping the weight at a minimum (and subsequently, effort)...

Keep us in the loop with "Foamstream." Fascinating subject, indeed.

[mezmo]

Hi Tiredoldwhiteman,

Here's a link to a recent post by forum member cuyeda on an @ 1950's TT
with an electrically operated drop down drop floor:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=46548

And here's a link within that thread for forum member vairman's build of the
'Super Tear' showing his cable raised and lowered drop down drop floor:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=33828

I've also seen some instances of canvas sided retractable drop down
floor wells but I'd go for the solid sided retractable drop down floor well
over them as the canvas sided ones didn't seem to hold up or perform well.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[GPW]

How about a drop down suspension ??? Something like on those California cars that hop up and down ...

[Tiredoldwhiteman]

[SNIP]

"...an electrically operated drop down drop floor..."

[SNIP]

"...cable raised and lowered drop down drop floor..."

[SNIP]

"...canvas sided retractable drop down floor wells but I'd go for the solid sided retractable drop down floor well over them as the canvas sided ones didn't seem to hold up or perform well.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

Norm,

Many thanks...I just knew something like this had to exist...

Owing to weight and financial issues, I'm thinking of something not quite as elaborate (but, boy howdy, wouldn't it be nice?)...

I was pondering using 3/4" foam board skinned (1/4" ply on the outside and 1/8" on the inside) for the walls of the floor well...Same as for the TT floor only using 1 1/2" or 2" foam board for that application...

For me, I fear it'll hafta be a manual raise/lower mechanism, maybe a lever of some sort...Trying to keep it as simple as possible...

Knowing that its doable is a step in the right direction...

Some days it seems it'd be easier to just buy another house

Oh, and GPW, I like the idea of So-Cal-ing the rig, but with a light weight foamie, a person'd hafta use way small hydraulics else risk sending the foamie into LEO )low Earth orbit)...

[aggie79]

For me, I fear it'll hafta be a manual raise/lower mechanism, maybe a lever of some sort...Trying to keep it as simple as possible...

Knowing that its doable is a step in the right direction...

TOWM -

Check out Greg's (vairman) build:

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=33829

His drop floor uses a winch and cable system.

Take care,
Tom

[Tiredoldwhiteman]

[SNIP]

Check out Greg's (vairman) build:

[SNIP]

His drop floor uses a winch and cable system.

A sweet build, for sure...And a clever bit of engineering (don't tell my son). However, I've got some serious weight limitations and the pulleys, cable, etc. will eat up precious pounds...When I'm down to the last few design details and can account for most of the weight, I'll make another pass through the design to add what little niceties I may have foregone earlier...I definitely will be keeping this one on the back burner ready to go...

Thaks for the link...Y'all're a pretty good bunch...

[GPW]

I still think it would be cool to pull into the campground , hit the button.... Pssssssssssssssss drop it down onto the stabilizers ... Hola !!!

Problem with anything being Garage kept , it has to Fit through the door ... Even my little 4X8 Foamie just barely clears my Garage door ...
My planned FoamStream would just have to live outside , and that’s the plan ... actually making a trailer that will live outside ... without a lot of maintenance ,as with commercial RVs ... figuring on just a paint job every several years , and the usual cleaning ...