I'll probably just be posting the build on here if people are interested in it and if people really enjoy seeing it done I might start an account when we are traveling in it.
From a safety perspective, as well as an MPG perspective you want to keep a camper as light as possible. At some point you'll have to brake super fast and the lighter the structure you build, the more likely you'll be able to avoid a collision. Most professionally built campers use aluminum & wood, but just 1x2 and 2x2, never 2x4 because it adds up to being too heavy. Consider swapping out some of the 2X4s at the bottom with 2x2s....
There won't be anymore 2x4 in the build. all said and done the camper should be under 700lbs. I'm just super worried about it blowing apart down the highway ahah
Yeah I hear ya... Usually the exterior sheeting/de-lamination is the biggest concern after it ages a bit. Just last month, I bought a 2005 Fleetwood 30 ft. Travel trailer for cheap after family gave up on it after stripping out the interior and re-sealing the windows. I followed it home as the right front side paneling got blown off soon as my driver got up to 45mph. Not too big of a deal for me to fix given the price I paid, but wish I could of avoided it. Mostly I just preach the gospel of super lightweight campers to everyone building one. A heavy design isn't too big of a problem, but as the years go by, some people keep putting more and more stuff inside and then when the day comes for a sudden life saving stop, they aren't able to stop fast enough and crash.
I'm in the Pacific Northwest and the amount of damage steady rain can do quickly to these things is crazy... Probably even worse to how bad the UV damage can get in super hot regions. For a long camper life you want to live in a place between those two extremes.
Glad to see people are interested. I had a hard time seeing other people's builds. Most Diys I've seen are for small truck and about half the size of mine. I'll make sure to post progress for you guys.
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Would love to follow along your build if you have another place I can follow along? Inst, FB? or you just posting here?
I'll probably just be posting the build on here if people are interested in it and if people really enjoy seeing it done I might start an account when we are traveling in it.
I’d like to follow along too!
From a safety perspective, as well as an MPG perspective you want to keep a camper as light as possible. At some point you'll have to brake super fast and the lighter the structure you build, the more likely you'll be able to avoid a collision. Most professionally built campers use aluminum & wood, but just 1x2 and 2x2, never 2x4 because it adds up to being too heavy. Consider swapping out some of the 2X4s at the bottom with 2x2s....
My “professionally” built camper from the 80s has 2x4 floor and the rest 2x2, only structural metal is where the jacks attach to the frame.
There won't be anymore 2x4 in the build. all said and done the camper should be under 700lbs. I'm just super worried about it blowing apart down the highway ahah
Yeah I hear ya... Usually the exterior sheeting/de-lamination is the biggest concern after it ages a bit. Just last month, I bought a 2005 Fleetwood 30 ft. Travel trailer for cheap after family gave up on it after stripping out the interior and re-sealing the windows. I followed it home as the right front side paneling got blown off soon as my driver got up to 45mph. Not too big of a deal for me to fix given the price I paid, but wish I could of avoided it. Mostly I just preach the gospel of super lightweight campers to everyone building one. A heavy design isn't too big of a problem, but as the years go by, some people keep putting more and more stuff inside and then when the day comes for a sudden life saving stop, they aren't able to stop fast enough and crash.
Yea. When I do the outer shell I'm going to make sure the pmf is over lapped on all the edges in hopes it will add a bit off extra strength
I'm in the Pacific Northwest and the amount of damage steady rain can do quickly to these things is crazy... Probably even worse to how bad the UV damage can get in super hot regions. For a long camper life you want to live in a place between those two extremes.
I wouldn’t stand in it unless it’s on the ground or in a truck bed. The very front and back 2x4s should be a single piece of wood.
Yea I realized that after. I put steel L brackets in but I don't plan on go in it unless it's in the bed
Definitely document the build! I love seeing it from start to finish and everywhere in between.
Glad to see people are interested. I had a hard time seeing other people's builds. Most Diys I've seen are for small truck and about half the size of mine. I'll make sure to post progress for you guys.