2014 Truck Camper Building From Scratch
Hello truck camper enthusiasts. I am embarking on a new truck camper build from scratch, that some of you may be interested in. This one will be a little different. It will be a pop-up made of fibergl...
Forum Discussion
I welcome any comments and I am open minded to explore suggestions. Others doing similar projects, may need more help from the experts and they usually ask and receive more advice and that's the way it should be. I'm not a professional, although I have built and rehabbed houses and other projects for 30 years. That helps, but I am far from perfect. Many skilled builders have been consulted before this project got started, so I think the plan is good (hopefully-we'll see at the end). Yes, I will make mistakes and some may not be known for years.
As for the OSB, I guess we just disagree. I have totally exposed epoxy coated OSB on an old shed that has been in Michigan weather for 15 years and still shows no sign of wear. Epoxy coated OSB (if finished correctly) will last longer than unfinished marine plywood and it is more stable to weather change than the cheaper plywoods.
Sure, unfinished OSB is useless in weather. But finished properly it can last longer than cement and the newer higher quality OSB's are so much better than that 1980's OSB. If you don't believe it, do the experiment. Put a small square of untreated OSB in your yard and put an epoxy coated piece next to it. Or take that sponge and encase it in epoxy and try to soak up some water. Also, there will be no penetrations in the flooring. Totally encased. 1000% more waterproof than the OSB walls of many houses. And no, I don't work for the OSB industry. Don't worry, it's cool.:C
How many campers have we taken apart and found untreated OSB, stapled joints, improper materials, poor workmanship and poorly designed parts? A lot, right?
How many people have been killed by car makers building errors?
All we need to do is show some small degree of extra concern (like coating the OSB) to easily produce a better product than many professional manufacturers? Some of them do that, but many don't.
Thanks for the comments. Negative, positive or instructive. I enjoy them all.:)
As for the OSB, I guess we just disagree. I have totally exposed epoxy coated OSB on an old shed that has been in Michigan weather for 15 years and still shows no sign of wear. Epoxy coated OSB (if finished correctly) will last longer than unfinished marine plywood and it is more stable to weather change than the cheaper plywoods.
Sure, unfinished OSB is useless in weather. But finished properly it can last longer than cement and the newer higher quality OSB's are so much better than that 1980's OSB. If you don't believe it, do the experiment. Put a small square of untreated OSB in your yard and put an epoxy coated piece next to it. Or take that sponge and encase it in epoxy and try to soak up some water. Also, there will be no penetrations in the flooring. Totally encased. 1000% more waterproof than the OSB walls of many houses. And no, I don't work for the OSB industry. Don't worry, it's cool.:C
How many campers have we taken apart and found untreated OSB, stapled joints, improper materials, poor workmanship and poorly designed parts? A lot, right?
How many people have been killed by car makers building errors?
All we need to do is show some small degree of extra concern (like coating the OSB) to easily produce a better product than many professional manufacturers? Some of them do that, but many don't.
Thanks for the comments. Negative, positive or instructive. I enjoy them all.:)
