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Re: Designing and Building Your Own Travel Trailer
You're probably right. Some of the design techniques described here is no longer in the realm of hobbyist but probably to be produced by a commercial partner rather than myself. I've struggled with the post itself as it most likely to be the last post since it has strayed so far from the original intent. I was going to do an interior post then end the series but perhaps it could end here.510Views0likes0CommentsRe: Designing and Building Your Own Travel Trailer
Bill, Thanks for the kind words. It does seem like I'd never finished any project. Actually, there's a method to the madness. I am in the airplane industry...so any project seems to take forever. Consider the fact that I've spent the last 25 years of my life working on one single airplane design so what's a couple years? What I am not doing is just designing another RV. I wanted to design a line of RVs that is so transformative. The Sonoran design was one of the many steps leading to the final designs. The Sonoran design solved some of the toughest problems in putting a fullwall slideout into a very small RV body. The USPTO actually granted me a patent for it and there are several patents pending with the USPTO (If you want to see the video of the Sonoran design in action goto InstantHomeRV.com). What the Sonoran design did not have was the decorative moldings which you can see with the Grand Canyon project. I purposely did not focus on the outside of the Sonoran design becuase I wanted all my designs to have the same unique signature looks. The Sonoran design in the final form will have the similar looks of the Grand Canyon design. Unfortunately, all these things take time... a lot of times.510Views0likes0CommentsRe: Designing and Building Your Own Travel Trailer
GrandpaKip, I am glad you've enjoyed it. Thank you for the kind words. I've got to remember to post updates from time to time. I had a hard time remembering this thread. My bookmarks get cleaned out often and I thought I've lost it.511Views0likes0CommentsRe: Designing and Building Your Own Travel Trailer
GrandpaKip, Thanks for the compliment. I wanted to create something that is completely different from the norm. For the money that I've spent to make the trailer, I could have a brand spanking new Airstream but it won't be fun would it? I've found out that I actually enjoy making it more than actually use it. I guess I haven't quit being a workaholic.510Views0likes0CommentsRe: Designing and Building Your Own Travel Trailer
Re: "Safari" I am not familiar with Safari. Do you have MS Edge, Explorer or Chrome? It's a free Wordpress site so I have no control over it. So sorry. BTW, Happy Independence Day to all. It is especially meaningful to me personally. I am forever grateful and indebted to this country.510Views0likes0CommentsRe: Designing and Building Your Own Travel Trailer
Wes, Thank you for the suggestions. I live in California, so "cold" for me means it's below 60's and I am not running around shirtless! On the serious side, obviously you have extensive epxperience with extreme weather and the humidity issues. I am very intrigue with your foil tape suggestion. Can you clarify your suggestion of using the foil tape bridge. Where would I apply the tapes? Between the Alum. frame and the foam covering the wood lining? Would that compromise the glue for the luan sheet to the Alum. frame? Thankyou in advance for taking time to answer.234Views0likes0CommentsRe: Designing and Building Your Own Travel Trailer
Wes, Your thoughtful questions and advices are the ones that really peak my interest. Just a few years ago, I was sitting in my office contemplating what to do with my life while knowing that my company would be massively downsizing the work force of the program I was working on, I had the idea building my own RV just like you. Back then I've never seen a welding machine before but that did not deter me. I Google'd the nearest community college with a good welding program and took courses. So, don't underestimate your ability to learn at any age. On the subject RV wall. I am not an expert in this area. I've spent quite a bit of time researching fiber glass RV wall and I've take a class on fiber glass making but I've chosen a different approach to build my RV wall. What I do is completely ignoring the delamination issue because I would build the Alum. frame then attached the Alum. skin onto the frame using 3M's VHB tape. The tapes are extremely expensive but they are as tough as rivet. Then, I lined the interior of the Alum with wooden edges. Next, I glued the foam cores. These foam cores came with a thin plastic vapor sheeting already glued on both side. After the foam cores are cured, then I glued on the wood sheeting and stapled the edges with finishing nails. I don't worry about delamination because the VHB tapes hold the Alum. skin to the frame just like riveting except it looks a lot nicer. Basically the foam core can detach or expected to detach (due to heat/cold expansion) from the Alum. skin but they won't go anywhere. Here's a picture of the wall in the middle of the process described above: As far as moisture goes. I believe moisture can and will absorb into the wall as you have described but it will not adversely impact the Alum skin integrity. I plan to paint the interior to minimize moisture absorption but I believe a humidifier is the only right solution since water has to go somewhere. Keep the exchange going. I've love to hear questions and suggestions from everybody. For me, failures are opportunities to improve. Bucky, Re: "heels banger" The platform is set back a few inches from the front edge of toilet seat so you won't hit it.233Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 21, 202544,029 Posts
