Hobo Hut

I made an enclosure for my Undercover Tonneau with 9/16" thick corrugated cardboard and tested it this weekend in the desert. I will do some reinforcing of the back hatch, and some type of fastening to the bed rails and cover it with clear packing tape. Plus, I will add something to secure the hatch to the sides as well.

We had snow, rain and then strong wind all night and it held up well with just a ghetto saran wrap job.

 

Out of curiosity what is the wood along the sides used for between the wheel wells.

 

It's to secure the attachment of the small triangular pieces toward the cab that butt up to the large triangular sides.

 

Actually, that's more cardboard for thermal insulation.

 

That is ghetto fabulous! I'm assuming that's your prototyping/mockup for something more durable? You could probably fiberglass it or glue some of that fiberboard/plastic/whatever that stuff they sell for cheap bathroom wall coverings at Home Depot is stuff to it to make it more durable.

If you are sleeping in it remember we give off a lot of moisture during respiration so you may want to coat the interior as well as put something like a suspended blanket over your head to stop condensation from dripping on you.

 

It is a prototype but I won't be driving with it installed. The current setup takes 5 minutes to install or remove.

I am going to cover all surfaces with clear packing tape. The hatch will be reinforced, as well as the hinges. The idea is that it is very effective and virtually free. I also don't want to add any unnecessary weight. I will cover the inside of the tonneau when I get a chance too.

I like your idea of bathroom wall covering. Thanks for the feedback!

 

Hey, millions of homeless around the world can't be wrong, right?

Honestly, I'm just busting your chops, it's actually not a bad idea and I like low-cost, home-made solutions. Cardboard is used in a lot of industrial applications (not just homeless camps )- an example related to our trucks is the thicker section in the top of camper shells that is often a glassed in section of honeycomb cardboard material. It gives rigidity so that the fiberglass doesn't vibrate or bow. Packing tape is a bad idea though, I don't think there is any UV resistance and as soon as moisture gets to it, it's going to start peeling, that's why I suggested something more durable.

This is the stuff I was talking about but I don't recall it being so expensive (not that I've priced it in a while), you used to be able to get it in a smooth finish but I'm not seeing it listed right now. https://www.homedepot.com/p/4-ft-x-8-ft-White-090-FRP-Wall-Board-MFTF12IXA480009600/100389836 You could also just buy some fiberglass mat and glass it on to the cardboard. Another idea might be elastomeric paint that is used on roofs but that tends to be expensive so maybe scour the Habitat home stores if you have one near you? Even a thick coating of some sort of latex paint would be better than tape. I think I'd probably fiberglass the outside then maybe spray/roll the inside with some sort of water resistant coating to prevent moisture buildup (since you're trying to keep it light). You're going to need to do something with the edges to seal out moisture as well.

I'd have to add some sort of window if it was me, even if it was just a piece of plexiglass that was siliconed in. No idea why, but I've gotten somewhat claustrophobic as I've gotten older. You could also sew up a tent if you have access to a sewing machine or know someone who does.

 

I could use bed liner as well. I don't see myself camping in a lot of rain here in SoCal though. It's really for just-in-case.
A window could happen at some point too! Let's see how much I get to use this sucker. Demand will dictate design I figure. (Chimney?) Lol
Thanks again for the feedback.
Hobo John

 

You're thread title would be a good build thread title. Just some food for thought

 

Back when I had my 1st gen, I thought about making a nylon version of what you have. Just never got around to sewing it. Here was the cardboard mock up.

 

Here's another idea now that you have the more easily cut cardboard to use as templates- what about the plastic version? It's used in packing materials for things like crates as well as those quick setup displays used in stores, conventions, some short term greenhouses, etc.?

Here's an example of a corrugated version but it's also made in a honeycomb style. It says it's waterproof and weather resistant. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Coropla...te-Corrugated-Plastic-Sheet-CP4896S/205351385 That example is thin but they make it in different thicknesses and it's relatively inexpensive and available in different colors. There are various connectors made for it as well that should make it easy to just snap together when you get to your destination.

 

You, know: bullshit aside. You can probably use the cardboard as a template to make the structure out of something a little more permanent. My first though is to use waxed canvas, for light weight and storability. Anything would work though- corrugated plastic sheeting, aluminum, fiberglass. Hell, you might even be able to fiberglass over the cardboard and kill two birds with one stone: the cardboard would provide the substructure for the fiberglass and the glass would make the panels waterproof.

I'm all for the ingenuity, but with a little more effort, you can have something really special there.


FYI, there used to be a couple here that sold the same design using nylon tent material. Pretty nifty, but they stopped responding to messages and went dark.

 

I thought for a second there, that you went on a camping trip in that taped up cardboard! hurr durr

 

That is Bad Ass!!!
I'm making me one.