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04-03-2016, 01:42 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Name: Attila
Trailer: Currently Shopping
Texas
Posts: 15
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Build a fiberglass body
Any of you did a research that how much would cost to mold a full body ? I have 2-3 different sized plan , what i thinking to build. But i need some ideas who can help , and how much would cost. It is ridiculous how much people paying for fiberglass campers specially those new companies based in california .. the happy camper cost base $17000 and the VW bus looking $26000.
I have a plan for a Bambi sized/ shaped fiberglass and a small teardrop sized. Also have one looks like from a 50's. I have a friend who runs a fibwrglass company in Europe but it would cost extra money to transfer. So iam looking ideas and Texas based businesses. Please let me know if any of you had/have a same planes and got anywhere with.
Thank You.
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04-03-2016, 05:58 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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We have several owner/manufacturer of all-molded-towable owners here as members. Robert Johan of Nest, Reace and Tammy Harmatuik of Escape Trailers, Derek and Mike of Happier Camper and others.
If you look at all the trailer names on the front page, you'll see many, many manufacturers that had good ideas for all-molded-towables. Most are now out of business. All started with a dream.
I wish you well with yours.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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04-03-2016, 09:40 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Name: Clyde
Trailer: Looking
California
Posts: 3
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There is a huge amount of information on one-off fiberglass in boating related forums, books, etc.
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04-03-2016, 11:51 AM
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#4
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Commercial Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: Boler13/trillium4500/buro13
Ontario
Posts: 1,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atti
Any of you did a research that how much would cost to mold a full body ? I have 2-3 different sized plan , what i thinking to build. But i need some ideas who can help , and how much would cost. It is ridiculous how much people paying for fiberglass campers specially those new companies based in california .. the happy camper cost base $17000 and the VW bus looking $26000.
I have a plan for a Bambi sized/ shaped fiberglass and a small teardrop sized. Also have one looks like from a 50's. I have a friend who runs a fibwrglass company in Europe but it would cost extra money to transfer. So iam looking ideas and Texas based businesses. Please let me know if any of you had/have a same planes and got anywhere with.
Thank You.
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While I can't give specifics on our build I can tell you that whatever budget you set to triple it and quadruple your time and man hours . While building a fg trailer may look fairly simple I can asure you it will be much more complicated than a frame built trailer.You will first need to build a plug , than you will have to build all the molds to fit that plug, than you can build your parts and put it all together. Sounds simple but wait! now you will have to rebuild and rework a lot of those molds which will greatly add to the cost.
Now that you you have that resolved you can now put all the components and items needed together which you will have to find to work with your trailer , some will work great and many won't , a lot of the (wont works ) will again add to the cost.
Now that you have your trailer together you can now do the testing and additional twerking and refining which again will add to the cost.
Now the fun part begins where you can actually take that trailer to nice places for photo shoots and for marketing so that you can make brochures and manuals and everything you will need to advertise your trailer which will again greatly add to the cost..
Now that you have accomplished all that and you have done like us and built a trailer with 22 different molds , more than twice as many as most other fg trailers you will have to respond to some people with out a clue as to the cost of building one of these trailers and who think it is a ridiculous price. California or anywhere
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04-04-2016, 02:51 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Name: Attila
Trailer: Currently Shopping
Texas
Posts: 15
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If you buy a $10000 equipment to cut grass you still charge $40 for an individual. Your investment and advertising etc is your business. You write it down in your taxes. To blame high cost of your design and make the customers to pay for it well it is not me... when you can buy a brand new car for $16000 a fg small size camper shouldn't cost more than $10000....
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04-04-2016, 03:38 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: Casita SD17 2006 "Missing Link"
California
Posts: 3,738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atti
If you buy a $10000 equipment to cut grass you still charge $40 for an individual. Your investment and advertising etc is your business. You write it down in your taxes. To blame high cost of your design and make the customers to pay for it well it is not me... when you can buy a brand new car for $16000 a fg small size camper shouldn't cost more than $10000....
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Interesting comments Atti, I'll be watching to see what you decide to offer the public with a new trailer for 10K or less. I think the response from Mikmay on costs to start up was very good and true in the real world. Yup, you can buy a new car for the price you state but, well, I'm not ready for a Fiat 500 shoe skate. Might be dating myself but 5K, back in the day was a loaded Caddie. A Datsun PU was $1999.00 and a '65 Mustang was around $2400 and gas was 29 or 30 cents a gallon. Good luck to you with your project.
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04-04-2016, 07:55 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: John
Trailer: '71 Boler, '87 Play-Mor II
Deep South
Posts: 1,261
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There already is an affordable family camper called Scamp starting at around $14K I believe for base model 13'...if you need more affordable than that there may be cheaper stick built models or there is always the used market. We bought our '71 Boler for less than 2K and the renovation materials alone has surpassed that same amount. I am considering making a fiberglass trailer myself after completing the Boler. I have a ski trailer frame that I planned to build a wood skeleton frame upon and hand lay fiberglass matte over the entire exterior...not intended for mass production but after its complete I suppose I could have a 1 piece mold made from it if I decided to go that way.
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04-04-2016, 08:21 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
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Build a fiberglass body
The Scamp 13 starts at $10K, or $11K with the basic option package. $14K gets you a fairly well-equipped unit. That's before shipping and local taxes, of course.
As Scamp's development costs have long been amortized, I think a start-up would be hard-pressed to undercut them.
Recent newcomers to the 13' party have all gone upmarket, perhaps to avoid going head-to-head with a well-established brand.
But anyone is welcome to try!
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04-04-2016, 08:37 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
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Build a fiberglass body
Quote:
Originally Posted by Atti
...when you can buy a brand new car for $16000 a fg small size camper shouldn't cost more than $10000....
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One factor you fail to consider is economies of scale. The cheapest economy cars are marketed globally and sell hundreds of thousands of copies.
Here in NA, where larger cars and trucks are the norm, econoboxes are sold as loss leaders catering to first-time and credit-impaired buyers. There is little profit in the cars themselves, but plenty in financing and service.
There is simply no comparison between the vehicle market and the niche market for tiny travel trailers.
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04-04-2016, 08:41 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: John
Trailer: '71 Boler, '87 Play-Mor II
Deep South
Posts: 1,261
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Thanks for clarifying Jon, I did not know they were price that low and budget friendly for people "making them affordable for average families not just the rich class"...
But there is nothing wrong with wanting a decked out up scaled version if you have worked hard, saved the money and can afford it...
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04-04-2016, 09:53 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: To Infinity & Beyond!
Trailer: 1985 Uhaul VT-16 Vacationer, 1957 Avion R20 & 1977 Argosy 6.0 Minuet
Tennessee
Posts: 655
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Bernie, Bernie Bernie!!!!
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04-04-2016, 10:04 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: John
Trailer: '71 Boler, '87 Play-Mor II
Deep South
Posts: 1,261
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lol let's not go political here I am sure the Wardens are watching
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04-04-2016, 10:08 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: To Infinity & Beyond!
Trailer: 1985 Uhaul VT-16 Vacationer, 1957 Avion R20 & 1977 Argosy 6.0 Minuet
Tennessee
Posts: 655
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny M
lol let's not go political here I am sure the Wardens are watching
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Political???
All I stated was my friends name!
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04-04-2016, 10:39 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon in AZ
One factor you fail to consider is economies of scale. The cheapest economy cars are marketed globally and sell hundreds of thousands of copies.
Here in NA, where larger cars and trucks are the norm, econoboxes are sold as loss leaders catering to first-time and credit-impaired buyers. There is little profit in the cars themselves, but plenty in financing and service.
There is simply no comparison between the vehicle market and the niche market for tiny travel trailers.
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I think it's more like millions for car and 400 to 500 for the trailer. My guess that total annual sales of molded fiberglass trailers is less than 1,000. Not much price leverage for materials and parts with that small number.
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
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04-04-2016, 10:39 AM
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#15
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Moderator
Trailer: U-Haul 1985
Posts: 3,436
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yes, the wardens are watching.....
Lets keep this thread focused on the OP's discussion.
I'm sure that we will follow his project with great interest.
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04-04-2016, 11:37 AM
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#16
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Commercial Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: Boler13/trillium4500/buro13
Ontario
Posts: 1,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Borrego Dave
Interesting comments Atti, I'll be watching to see what you decide to offer the public with a new trailer for 10K or less. I think the response from Mikmay on costs to start up was very good and true in the real world. Yup, you can buy a new car for the price you state but, well, I'm not ready for a Fiat 500 shoe skate. Might be dating myself but 5K, back in the day was a loaded Caddie. A Datsun PU was $1999.00 and a '65 Mustang was around $2400 and gas was 29 or 30 cents a gallon. Good luck to you with your project.
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I might add Dave that $2000.00 dollar pu in the 70s was about the same cost of a brand new boler so I think we are doing pretty well with our price difference between a new car today
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04-05-2016, 03:49 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
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I guess I don't see the point of this discussion. Atti, if you can build a "better" trailer, then please do. You will get support and encouragement from most here. The folks at Happier Camper have over come the obstacles and produced their trailer. Actions speak louder that words. Raz
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04-05-2016, 07:06 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Boy, this topic went south in a hurry.
Atti, in your post #5 you mentioned this: "We have 2 different design and ine of them is a diy style when you can slide the panels together,"
There's already a company doing the slide-together panels: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ups-41616.html You may want to check them out. We first heard about them in 2010, not much since.
You are really going to need to research your audience, market and competition.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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04-05-2016, 09:02 AM
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#19
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Member
Name: Sands
Trailer: Escape
Arizona
Posts: 92
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What Donna says! With the current waiting line for fiberglass trailers if you can build a product comparable to those on the market and do so for a lower price you should do well, but make sure to do a decent business plan that includes a market/competition/target analysis. My only piece of advice would be to make sure you are adequately financed BEFORE you start production. Don't count on immediate sales to fund initial production; have enough financing in place to get you through a year or more of marketing and production and re-tooling to correct the inevitable tweaks that real world use will highlight as necessary over paper design. Wishing you the best of luck!
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04-05-2016, 09:24 AM
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#20
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Administrator
Name: Mary
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21; formerly Casita 1999 17 ft Liberty Deluxe
Posts: 10,941
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STOP!
Personal attacks are not tolerated on FiberglassRV.com.
Several posts have been removed from this thread, which unfortunately means the loss of some good information.
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