I have a question.....

[ShirleyA]

I have a few projects I'd like to get going in my Casita this winter.
I hesitate to walk around in there because it seems to me that when fiberglass is very cold it could be subject to fracturing or stress cracking if moved. I wouldn't heat it up to do the work, just walk in, measure as I needed to and complete my project in the garage. What are your thoughts on how walking around in my camper when she is so cold might affect her structurally?

Thanks for the help!!

[Jim Bennett]

It will be just fine, Shirley. Cold weather really does not affect fiberglass much, at least enough not to worry about in any temps you would be willing to go out in yourself.

Now, get cracking on it, and take lots of pictures to show us.

[deryk]

Yeah i agree Shirley. Fiberglass in bitter cold would be a bit more fragile then a stick built trailer....but not much...just avoid using a sledgehammer on it lol. i lived for several years on a fiberglass sailboat here in nj and we do get single digit temps and snow and I never lost a boat during the winter....just from a hurricane lol.


deryk

[Night Sailor]

Stress cracks do not happen from cold. They occur from impacts or from voids in the fiberglass layup and the repetitive flexing. A well made fiberglass hull or form will not crack unless there is a hard hitting impact. Even then it is easy to repair.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Night Sailor

A well made fiberglass hull or form will not crack unless there is a hard hitting impact.

OR, too much weight from snow/ice load. Just ask Norm.

[RRJR]

Now that's going to be a real tought repair job, if atemping be sure to post pictures as you go !

[Donna D.]

Ron, Norm did post pictures. Click on the link in my post #5

[ShirleyA]

Thanks all for the info. I feel much better about going out to visit her every now and then and getting those projects started. I would love to post some pics of some of the things I've done to the Patriot (Olivia is her name) but I've not had any luck posting pics. Some of my mods are so out of the box...you would at the very least get a good laugh.

[Night Sailor]

That is probably not worth repairing. It can be done or even improved with more height and windows. I could fix it. That sort of fiberglass job is simple for me compared to what I'm doing in the next few weeks. If something like this is being given away local to me I would take it it is pretty much worthless though. I'd rather build a whole new camper grime scratch on an aluminum boat trailer.

Most people would be better served to start with another intact camper.

These things are built very light so obviously there needs to be internal support. If it was cored properly even without internal support it would handle any snow load.

[Night Sailor]

Originally Posted by deryk

Yeah i agree Shirley. Fiberglass in bitter cold would be a bit more fragile then a stick built trailer....but not much...just avoid using a sledgehammer on it lol. i lived for several years on a fiberglass sailboat here in nj and we do get single digit temps and snow and I never lost a boat during the winter....just from a hurricane lol.

deryk

What sort of boat Derek? You are not yo far from me. I am in SW Connecticut.

[deryk]

Prior to hurracane sandy I had 27' Watkins motor sailor. Was my latest project lol. It got destroyed and decided it was time to do something different. Being single I wasn't exactly meeting folks while out on the water and mostly everyone at the marina was older and married. Camping on the other hand I tend to meet alot more folks, and most of my friends are in there late 20's to 30's.... opens up more possibilities lol

deryk

[Night Sailor]

Originally Posted by deryk

Prior to hurracane sandy I had 27' Watkins motor sailor. Was my latest project lol. It got destroyed and decided it was time to do something different. Being single I wasn't exactly meeting folks while out on the water and mostly everyone at the marina was older and married. Camping on the other hand I tend to meet alot more folks, and most of my friends are in there late 20's to 30's.... opens up more possibilities lol

deryk

Try teaching sailing. Lots of unattached women taking sailing lessons.

[deryk]

Originally Posted by Night Sailor

Try teaching sailing. Lots of unattached women taking sailing lessons.

Not quite what I'm looking for but a good idea....but boat is gone so a camping i will go lol



Deryk

[Otters]

Originally Posted by deryk

Not quite what I'm looking for but a good idea....Deryk

LOL!
But seriously Deryk, I'm so sorry that you lost your boat in the hurricane. I've been through a lot of hurricanes and the recovery period takes years. Its so devastating for so many. At least if there's another, just hitch up the trailer and you're good to go. No public shelter or hotel necessary.

[deryk]

Thanks Linda, yeah the caravan makes alot better of an idea for a getaway from bad weather vehicle then the boat lol. Im planning on a bit larger generator then I need so I can run my parents fridge/freezer if we ever got another storm like that and lost power. I want it to be a trifuel because we had issues with getting gasoline for 2 weeks after sandy(odd/even plates, super long lines and the gas stations running out of fuel and people being people and going crazy)...but you can buy propane anywhere.

deryk