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03-15-2015, 09:09 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 905
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Vertical Seam Versus Horizontal Seam
I am seriously considering the EggCamper but have not had much luck researching the vertical joining of the two halves. I know there are some older units, Burro and U-Haul, that have that seam. I am familiar with the horizontal one since that is most prevalent in the posts.
I am wondering sort of the dynamics of joining and the wear and tear on that joint. I am thinking that you are walking on that seam. I was reading something about flex and how anything joined together will have flex points were joined which makes perfect sense and the molded fiberglass having less seams would have less possibilities for the joints to fail and leak.
Any thoughts or experience? Thank you.
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03-15-2015, 09:26 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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I have seen a few Burros with ceiling water damage from seam leakage, but they were usually in otherwise really unmaintained shape anyway. Can't say I have ever seen a belly band leaker, but several have been mentioned.
BTW: "I am thinking that you are walking on that seam" Unless you are walking on the roof I don't see that as a problem.
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03-15-2015, 09:54 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: jim
Trailer: 2022 Escape19 pulled by 2014 Dodge Ram Hemi Sport
Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,710
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The seam in an Eggcamper is sealed with a piece of "U" shaped moulding the covers the seam. No leaks as long as the moulding is present. Some older horizontal bands over time leak and the rivets or screws underneath start to rust. That is why some are removed and then fiberglassed over the seam. The Eggcamper, relatively newer has not reached the 20-30 year mark where the seam needs attention.
__________________
Jim
Never in doubt, often wrong
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03-15-2015, 12:27 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1973 Compact Jr and 1980 Bigfoot 17 ft
Posts: 1,339
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The vertical seam on my 42 year old Compact Jr does not leak.
__________________
1980 Bigfoot 17' & former owner of 1973 Compact Jr
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03-15-2015, 12:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,710
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Trostel
The vertical seam on my 42 year old Compact Jr does not leak.
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What vertical seam? I thought the Compacts (and kissin' cousins) all had a belly band-type seam...
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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03-15-2015, 02:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1973 Compact Jr and 1980 Bigfoot 17 ft
Posts: 1,339
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I don't think the Compact II has a vertical seam, but the Compact Jr is made from a right and left half. The seam is covered with tape and mine is beginning to flake off. In the linked photo look above the spare tire and front window.
Mission Tejas State Park, TX Photo by tomNjo | Photobucket
And this one has tape that has been replaced with reflective tape.
Mellow Yellow In Crescent City, CA Photo by tomNjo | Photobucket
The horizontal band around the middle of the trailer is simply decoration and is not there in the rear.
__________________
1980 Bigfoot 17' & former owner of 1973 Compact Jr
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03-15-2015, 02:42 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 905
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Thanks everyone! The Compact Jr., who would have thought since to me, I would have thought it had 4 pieces, quarters. Lovely photos and great looking unit.
I got to thinking about the EggCamper and since it has the wood floor, I think, above the fiberglass seam, that would distribute the weight across the area plus you have a double shell. And, I don't see myself on the roof walking around. I'm afraid of heights!
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03-16-2015, 08:53 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,255
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Tom
Thanks for those pics. I hadn't seen one of those before. Neat looking. I'd love to szee it in person.
Walt
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03-16-2015, 09:37 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
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Burro and others may have chosen the vertical seam because it would be difficult if not impossible to remove their shell from a mold with a horizontal seam. For example the protruding tail light mount would be an issue. Raz
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03-16-2015, 09:54 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Jack L
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
Washington
Posts: 1,562
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The vertical seam on the roof , the recessed side windows and the protruding rear window on the Burro all add structural strength without adding much weight. These are some features I really like.
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03-16-2015, 10:15 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Jason
Trailer: 2007 Eggcamper & Homemade Tear Drop
New York
Posts: 663
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I have a 2007 egg that has been dragged all over the north east by the PO and now by me to some cool boondocks where the roads are not the greatest. So far no sign of a leek any where.
Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV
__________________
Jason
If you think you are to small to make a difference just try sleeping with a mosquito –- The Dally Lama
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03-16-2015, 01:51 PM
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#12
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Moderator
Name: RogerDat
Trailer: 2010 Scamp 16
Michigan
Posts: 3,744
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The belly band be it vertical or horizontal is cosmetic not functional. It just hides the ragged edges of the molded halves.
I seem to recall EggCamper uses adhesive as part of their joining process, not sure if they also fiberglass the two halves of the outer skin from the inside. Scamp joins the two halves with fiberglass so one would expect it to be nearly as strong as the shell.
One advantage the vertical might have is water has to flow "up" to get to the edges of the joined halves. Horizontal (Scamp at least) are set up so water flows behind the band and right over the sealed joint. If the joint seal leaks the band will insure water gets to the leak. The horizontal seams rarely do leak but if they do the trim won't help them shed water away from the leak. The way I would think a vertical band might.
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03-16-2015, 04:12 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Sid
Trailer: Parkliner 2014
Wisconsin
Posts: 529
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Roger
One thing I thought Casita, Scamp, and Parkliner shared was the overlapping of the horizontal seam (at least I didn't think it was unique to PL). You can see the 4" overlap in this photo I borrowed from Thom's previous post.
Sid
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03-16-2015, 07:05 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,710
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Or both halves bonded together like Escape before the trailer comes out of the mold.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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03-17-2015, 04:36 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
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On Trilliums the two halves are aligned with the belly band on the outside
and metal plates on the inside. A layer of fiberglass is then applied inside to hold everything together. Others (Scamp pictured) use a lip to join the two halves. Be it horizontal or vertical this lip has to add rigidity. It's also a better way to do it as it's less likely to leak. My Trillium leaked from the factory because it was not sealed properly inside. Raz
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03-17-2015, 06:56 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 905
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Thanks. It's really interesting to see the variety of ways that the two halves can be joined. I just had no idea that horizontal differed one from the other.
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03-17-2015, 08:41 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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I really like the overlapping seam of the Parkliner. That must make it a bit difficult to get out of the mold.
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03-17-2015, 11:25 AM
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#18
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Moderator
Name: RogerDat
Trailer: 2010 Scamp 16
Michigan
Posts: 3,744
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The left thumbnail supplied by Raz in post #15 is what my scamp seam looks like. I don't see any actual overlap. Just two pieces butted together with a layer of FG mat and resin applied to the inside, and I assume some resin between the top and bottom as they are brought together.
A lip on the inside in addition to helping align things if coming up from the bottom piece might act as a water barrier. However I'm not sure if one gets a stronger bond from having the surface on the inside all available for the FG layer that joins the two.
As pointed out the ridge line does impart some strength. But at least one with a vertical seam, the EggCamper I think has double walls which I would think add strength.
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