How to Build a Foamy Camper (Foamie Camper Weight and Guide)
A foamy trailer is something that may come in handy. They are cheap to build as well.
These campers are easy to build. A bit time-consuming as you have to put layers of canvas over the foam boards, then secure the canvas with glue, not staples. That is on both sides of the foam boards. However, the cost is going to be a lot cheaper than if you bought an existing camper.
To learn more about how to build a foamy camper just continue to read our article. It will provide the information and instructions you need to do this project yourself. Take a few minutes to see if this is a worthy project or something you need.
What is a Foamie Camper?
This type of camper is as its name says. It is built from foam and not wood. That foam is usually foam boards that are cut to the dimensions and shape you want for your camper.
There are different types of foamy campers, for example, the teardrop or the square drop. The latter of these two types provides far more interior and exterior space and that makes it easier to add on solar panels for power.
To make it work, you will need to buy a pre-built cargo trailer frame. Then you build the foamy camper according to the dimensions on the trailer. Because you have to take into account the wheels and axles, etc., some wood is used to create the foundation for the foam camper.
It is also easier to attach the foam to the wood than it is to attach it to the iron trailer frame. Also, how much wood you actually use is up to you as some foamy trailers are not made with any wood at all.
What you want and how strong you want the trailer to be will help you make that determination.
Foamie Camper Weight
The design and the materials are going to be the most influential factors when it comes to the overall weight. the iron trailer frame will be your heaviest component and that could easily amount to about 200 to 700 pounds depending on the trailer you use.
That weight will include the wheels and axle. The foam is not heavy at all but when you add the layers of wrap it could reach around 100 pounds approx. Once you are done, adding in any extras, you could reach a final weight limit of just over 500 pounds.
All numbers are approx. because the weight will vary depending on all the components you put into the trailer. If you use wood in some spots, that will boost the weight up a little.
The key to going light is to enable your smaller vehicles and let them haul the trailer from place to place. The lack of weight and using an economy car for the towing should save you a little on fuel.
4x8 Camper Shell
When you want space, it is best to avoid the teardrop foamy camper design. This option does not allow for a lot of extras and can make it a little cramped inside when you want to relax at night.
To get a lot more space you would want to design your 4 by 8 camper shell as a rectangle with more straight lines than curved ones. This allows you to add more extras in the interior as well as the exterior of the camper.
Also, this size of construction is convenient as foam boards are often sold in 4 by 8-foot sizes as well as in 2-foot widths. Calculations will be a lot easier and you should have less waste as you go.
Draw your plans out well making sure you know exactly where you want every component to be placed. Planning is going to be the most important step of this project.
Then, it is good to know that a lot of trailers come in the 4 by 8-foot size. You do not have to do any adaptions to get the shell to fit the trailer. Some people have extended the 4 by 8-foot trailer to 5 by 8 and that extra one foot does make a lot of difference to the interior of your foamie camper.
Foam Camper Trailer
Many people find these to be a handy option for different purposes. If not for camping, maybe for farm work or other activities. They are small, lightweight and it doesn't take a large vehicle to tow them.
They are excellent as a temporary shelter when bad things happen. The good aspect is that you can design them in almost any way you want. Your biggest issue will be the trailer underneath it.
The trailer should be sound and have no rust on the steel parts. Plus, the wheels should turn smoothly without any effort. Once you have your design, it doesn’t take that long to construct the foam camper shell. The hardest part will be wrapping the foam boards with either fiberglass or canvas.
You will want the canvas to be smooth as you put it on so do it in steps so you get all the wrinkles out before the glue hardens. The overall look is up to your needs and preferences.
How To Build a Foamy Camper
Here is just one method you can try.
The first step in the process is to decide on the design and all the items you want inside. Pick your size as well. Once that is decided, draw up your plans. It is always good to follow some sort of design plan to help you get the right measurements, etc.
After you have the trailer, you can add a wood frame to the steel trailer. This provides an easier base to attach the foam to. Attach the wood frame to the steel using good lag bolts. Then turn to gorilla glue to attach the walls to the wood base.
That is done after cutting out the shape of the trailer from your foam panels. Once the foam sides are attached to the wood frame, you can use wood cross pieces to hold the sides together and give them a little more strength.
Glue in the cross pieces using gorilla glue and 2 by 2s are sufficient for this. Just make the cutouts for the cross pieces tight enough for the glue to hold and the pieces to fit securely.
After the glue has dried, you will need to prepare the roof. if you are using the teardrop design, you will need to cut the foam just enough to let it match the curve of the roof.
Before you attach all the roof sections, you need to make your cutouts for the window and door. Then add in some extra wood framing to hold the door and windows in place. After that is done, you can finish your roof.
Do your finishing touches and add in the doors and windows and you should be done.
Foam Teardrop Trailer Construction
The difficult part of this type of project is getting the pieces to stay together while waiting for the glue to dry. Some people use duct tape to hold everything together and that is the safest method you have to use.
The construction is straightforward as long as you have a good blueprint to follow. You can add the cutouts for the door or windows at any time, even before attaching the foam panels to the trailer.
Some people wrap their foam first in canvass then attach the foam boards to the trailer. That may be the best way to do it but you find which method works for you and follow that.
Also, you don't need a canvas to wrap the foam. You can use carbon fiber, as it is stronger, lighter, and looks a lot better than canvas. There are a lot of choices available and a lot of freedom involved in this type of construction.
Some Final Words
Building your own foamie camper is a great project, especially when you have kids. These make for a good lightweight home away from home or a nice clubhouse for young boys.
The trick to building your own is to find a good trailer to use and build a great foundation. The foundation will help the foam be stronger and sturdier. The overall components and design are entirely up to you.
