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Thinking about building a BIG foamie, maybe...

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2016 4:46 pm
by daveesl77
We love Conch Fritter (CF) and have no thoughts of selling it, but for at least a year now I've been thinking about going to a kind of extreme and building a big, very aerodynamic foamie. CF is a hybrid, being probably 70% foam and the rest either spruce framing or thin ply or thin cedar. That is except for the floor, which I really overbuild, like way overbuilt.

So the idea is to build something with interior dimensions like 6+ feet wide, 6+ feet tall and 14 feet long. Doing it primarily in 2" xps foam, with only minimal framing. Thinking of a shape similar to Michael's Astroliner. I'm wondering if I can get away with using PMF on both the outer and inner skins for strength, but using wood (or maybe aluminum) structure points. Idea is to have a queen bed in the rear, dinette in the front, small interior head/shower and somehow doing a galley that can be used inside or out. I want the entire thing to come out below 2,000 lbs. hopefully below 1,800, and maybe below 1,500# including trailer frame. Won't be using a HF frame, but might use a modified aluminum boat trailer frame. Looking at maybe building something that can be comfortably used for a multi-month trip. Yes, CF can do that already, but the idea of a big foamie has just been lurking there for awhile.

Oh, and haven't even considered bringing this idea up to dear wife yet.

dave :thinking:

Re: Thinking about building a BIG foamie, maybe...

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2016 8:33 pm
by ghcoe
Go easy on the accessories and I think those numbers are very doable. There are a few bigger builds on here. Might take a look at Camp Capsule, Bluebird and Big Pink for some Ideas.

This build is 14'5 1/2" L x69 1/2" W x 76" H. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=46632

Re: Thinking about building a BIG foamie, maybe...

PostPosted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:09 am
by daveesl77
George, thanks for that link!

After seeing how they did it and that it has been in use for a number of years, I'm really confident on the concept. Theirs has very little wood, other than the floor system. Plus they are pulling theirs with a Tracker, wow.

dave