Good question. We only used Isopropyl alcohol 70% or higher. The adhesion of the EPDM strips was great, I just wanted to be sure that air did't catch on the edges while driving at highway speeds before installing the camper floor and for them to have pressure around the rounded metal edges of the subframe.
Hey KC, just curious your thoughts on the GlobeTrekker 3/4 pivot subframe system. Did you look at these at all? I would assume that if you did, you decided against it based on height. For my chassis, it looks to be a better option than spring mounted. Just curious your thoughts on it overall if you did consider it.
Yeah, great question. GlobeTrekker came out with their subframe after I proceeded with EarthCruiser, and EarthCruiser's subframe has 10+ years of experience on this chassis, plus it only adds about 3" in height, and reducing height is the biggest challenge to keeping these builds overall dimensions trail tight since the same or less width and length than a pick up truck. Yes, each chassis does need it's own subframe design, or a possibly overbuilt generic one. I like what GlobeTrekker is building and glad they have come to the market to provide some great options and look forward to working with some of their products some day..
Ha! That is very funny that you ask as my next video goes over that and an issue--you may get a laugh from it. I am very fortunate to have an RV garage with a door opening of about 11 and half feet...now--my next video explains. The camper is about 11 feet.
I've not seen them recommend anything or against anything for the subframe. Why would you ask since the foam they use is a polyurethane and the skins adhered to the foam are fiberglass, which polyurethane is about the best material to use with it? The strips I used are EPDM, which is a synthetic rubber and made with a polyurethane which is similar and compatible with the binders that make fiberglass. With its great light, high & low temperature (even steam), ozone & oil and gasoline resistance, outdoor rating, decades before degradation in the outdoors, and vibration absorption and near perfect compressibility yet non-permanent conformability, great tear resistance, tensile strength, and elongation and electric and thermal resistance, it's likely the best material to use for this purpose. What would be your concern with using EPDM against FRP?
@@vantripping You have clearly analyzed it to it's most logical conclusion. My initial thought was to connect the subframe directly to the box with urethane(backed up by bolts of course) to eliminate the possibility of movement between the two.
@@fidoexpeditions9366 Total Composites does not suggest glueing the floor to the subframe, just bolting it. I've only seen everyone bolt except for one company that use an adhesive as well and admits it's overkill. An adhesive could be used in addition to the bolts--would likely be destructive should the camper ever be relocated to another chassis, which I want to maintain that flexibility, hence the bolting only, and therefore the padding between the camper and subframe. EarthCruiser says they only use six bolts to mount their camper to their subframe and I'm using 10 bolts to the same subframe (with added bolted connection points).
01:48
Is 'rubbing alcohol' de-matured... usually with a petroleum product?
Could that oil/grease effect your adhesion?
Good question. We only used Isopropyl alcohol 70% or higher. The adhesion of the EPDM strips was great, I just wanted to be sure that air did't catch on the edges while driving at highway speeds before installing the camper floor and for them to have pressure around the rounded metal edges of the subframe.
Hey KC, just curious your thoughts on the GlobeTrekker 3/4 pivot subframe system. Did you look at these at all? I would assume that if you did, you decided against it based on height. For my chassis, it looks to be a better option than spring mounted. Just curious your thoughts on it overall if you did consider it.
Yeah, great question. GlobeTrekker came out with their subframe after I proceeded with EarthCruiser, and EarthCruiser's subframe has 10+ years of experience on this chassis, plus it only adds about 3" in height, and reducing height is the biggest challenge to keeping these builds overall dimensions trail tight since the same or less width and length than a pick up truck. Yes, each chassis does need it's own subframe design, or a possibly overbuilt generic one. I like what GlobeTrekker is building and glad they have come to the market to provide some great options and look forward to working with some of their products some day..
@@vantripping Thanks for the reply!
@@XcessCapital You're welcome.
How tall. Is your garage door to accommodate the truck? Thanks
Ha! That is very funny that you ask as my next video goes over that and an issue--you may get a laugh from it. I am very fortunate to have an RV garage with a door opening of about 11 and half feet...now--my next video explains. The camper is about 11 feet.
Very interesting to watch. Does T/C recommend against Urethane directly to the subframe?
I've not seen them recommend anything or against anything for the subframe. Why would you ask since the foam they use is a polyurethane and the skins adhered to the foam are fiberglass, which polyurethane is about the best material to use with it? The strips I used are EPDM, which is a synthetic rubber and made with a polyurethane which is similar and compatible with the binders that make fiberglass. With its great light, high & low temperature (even steam), ozone & oil and gasoline resistance, outdoor rating, decades before degradation in the outdoors, and vibration absorption and near perfect compressibility yet non-permanent conformability, great tear resistance, tensile strength, and elongation and electric and thermal resistance, it's likely the best material to use for this purpose. What would be your concern with using EPDM against FRP?
@@vantripping You have clearly analyzed it to it's most logical conclusion. My initial thought was to connect the subframe directly to the box with urethane(backed up by bolts of course) to eliminate the possibility of movement between the two.
@@fidoexpeditions9366 Total Composites does not suggest glueing the floor to the subframe, just bolting it. I've only seen everyone bolt except for one company that use an adhesive as well and admits it's overkill. An adhesive could be used in addition to the bolts--would likely be destructive should the camper ever be relocated to another chassis, which I want to maintain that flexibility, hence the bolting only, and therefore the padding between the camper and subframe. EarthCruiser says they only use six bolts to mount their camper to their subframe and I'm using 10 bolts to the same subframe (with added bolted connection points).
Can I ask where you purchased the EPDM
I purchased it from #McMasterCarr. Lot's of options of rubber strips.