nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 30, 2015 15:27:29 GMT -8
There doesn't seem to be enough framing to support the weight of the bunk area with a person sleeping. From photos it appears to be the same as the 3/4 inch Airflyte framing.
Does anybody have a photo with the skin off they can share?
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jun 30, 2015 16:40:36 GMT -8
Elves.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jun 30, 2015 16:59:46 GMT -8
You are assuming the framework is the strength of the ole canned hams...it isn't. The tensile strength that holds the bunk up, as well as the walls together in any canned ham depends on the layers of the walls. The framing is sandwiched between the skin and paneling, and the three layers compound each other to give the structural strength. When rot takes out the strength of the frame workings, it puts more stress on the other two components, but if the frame were the only support, most canned hams would be flat in the fields by now.
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Post by vintagebruce on Jun 30, 2015 17:05:25 GMT -8
I'm certainly not an engineer, but my guess would be that the top curbing that curves down to meet the horizontal framing is acting like a cantilever (effect). What is it? You can cantilever out 25% of the length of a beam? The vertical outside front framing and the top roof frame sitting on it and maybe the under side front horizontal must act like a fulcrum and the dome cantilevers at that point. Probably somewhere in some original literature, there would have been a suggested limit of the weight suggested for a sleeping person or two littler rug rats for that bunk area. That's my W.A.G. nccamper You have to scroll down a bit to see framing, but it is there, 2 places...don't stop at the first one. In this blog where you see the new roof going on, it appears that the lead front piece is pretty darned large and long. If that is secured well to the top curbing, there is certainly some strength in that part too. If you look at the few framing pics you will see that part of the bunk framing is recessed back into the camper I believe, or at least the framing ties into the framing at the rear of the front side windows...again I believe there is the physics of a cantilever effect in there somewhere. Thanks Nasty to Shasty. nastyshasty.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20%2764%20Astrodome%20Restoration?updated-max=2011-09-06T14:43:00-04:00&max-results=20&start=10&by-date=false
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 30, 2015 17:42:19 GMT -8
Great answers guys. I think the answer is that a combination of elements hold it up. Layers give it strength and framing ties that strength to the main body of the camper. Notice the beam that runs into the camper and to the window. (Elves must have been off that day.) Has anyone actually climbed up there? Does it sag and groan under the weight of an adult? These photos are great. My wife doesn't like the bunk. I think she feels it will block out the sky and direct light. I think it's kind of cool.
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Post by kto17 on Jun 30, 2015 19:07:59 GMT -8
We had a 63 Astrodome and it was not restored. It had water damage in the usual Shasta areas under windows. I was amazed but the bunk supported the weight of both my wife and I no problem, not even a creak or groan. Together we are about 360 pounds. We mostly just stored stuff up there because we had an infant at the time. We sold it when baby #2 was on the way.
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Post by vikx on Jun 30, 2015 21:43:32 GMT -8
There's a REMEDY for that ugly bunk....
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 1, 2015 5:05:10 GMT -8
There's a REMEDY for that ugly bunk.... My wife agrees. If you have a template to go by, I guess it's an option. I find them interesting but I also wonder if they block the view.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 1, 2015 5:07:40 GMT -8
We mostly just stored stuff up there because we had an infant at the time. We sold it when baby #2 was on the way. It does seem like handy storage. What do you think of your Deluxe? What's the upside and downside? I've seen a few of them for sale recently.
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Post by kto17 on Jul 1, 2015 5:52:04 GMT -8
We mostly just stored stuff up there because we had an infant at the time. We sold it when baby #2 was on the way. It does seem like handy storage. What do you think of your Deluxe? What's the upside and downside? I've seen a few of them for sale recently. The problem we ran into with the Astrodome was the size of the bathroom. It's not fun at 6'4" to drop trou and then back into the bathroom just to fit. Oh, and you can't shut the door. It gets more interesting when the couch is pulled out and someone is trying to sleep while the other uses the facilities. You get to know each other really well. The Deluxe is a more open and functional layout. I can stand without ducking in some areas. The bathroom door can be closed, while you are in there! Using the shower is what I call "the curtain is stuck to my ass dance," but it has a shower. Our Deluxe has the double cot in the rear above the bed/couch and a single above the dinette. We love all the storage it has. The only time it feels crowded is when we have our two 85 lb labs with us. The kids are now 4 and 2.5 yrs so the 4 year old loves the cots.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 1, 2015 8:40:42 GMT -8
...what I call "the curtain is stuck to my ass dance," but it has a shower. Too funny! I am over 6' so I feel your pain. I think VIkx called it a string-bean-bathroom. How is it towing the Deluxe? What do you tow with? Do you have a sway bar?
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edog1973
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Post by edog1973 on Jul 1, 2015 11:15:20 GMT -8
When I was building out the Traveleze I was worried about the horizontal bunk supports that fold up sagging with our weight on them. I built a steel frame out of 1" angle iron and sandwiched with paneling and plywood. We've used it several times and it does not sag at all!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 1, 2015 14:15:34 GMT -8
When I was building out the Traveleze I was worried about the horizontal bunk supports that fold up sagging with our weight on them. I built a steel frame out of 1" angle iron and sandwiched with paneling and plywood. We've used it several times and it does not sag at all! Did this run in the wall up to the door?
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edog1973
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Post by edog1973 on Jul 1, 2015 17:14:04 GMT -8
When I was building out the Traveleze I was worried about the horizontal bunk supports that fold up sagging with our weight on them. I built a steel frame out of 1" angle iron and sandwiched with paneling and plywood. We've used it several times and it does not sag at all! Did this run in the wall up to the door? That ran horizontally and the foam mattress sits on top of it.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 1, 2015 18:59:45 GMT -8
Did this run in the wall up to the door? That ran horizontally and the foam mattress sits on top of it. Very smart. Thanks.
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