I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.

Frogwatch wrote:
I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.


Will yours look like this?

http://www.belairshells.com/generic.tpl?PageName=11

Or are you building something embarrassing?

On Feb 9, 11:27 am, HK wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.

Will yours look like this?

http://www.belairshells.com/generic.tpl?PageName=11

Or are you building something embarrassing?

Harry, I am totally oblivious to things that would embarass most
people. What I build might embarass my wife though. No, the camper
topper you show costs so little that I'd just go buy one. What i want
is a slide in cab-over hard shell camper like the ones made by Lance.
I do not want one with pop up canvas because I will be in places with
bears, wolves and panthers (Wyoming) and although I have camped with
bears wandering round my tent (even wandering round me sleeping
outside my tent) I feel I have "been there, done that" and want the
peace of mind of hard sides.

Frogwatch wrote:
On Feb 9, 11:27 am, HK wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.
Will yours look like this?

http://www.belairshells.com/generic.tpl?PageName=11

Or are you building something embarrassing?

Harry, I am totally oblivious to things that would embarass most
people. What I build might embarass my wife though. No, the camper
topper you show costs so little that I'd just go buy one. What i want
is a slide in cab-over hard shell camper like the ones made by Lance.
I do not want one with pop up canvas because I will be in places with
bears, wolves and panthers (Wyoming) and although I have camped with
bears wandering round my tent (even wandering round me sleeping
outside my tent) I feel I have "been there, done that" and want the
peace of mind of hard sides.


Why not just buy one?

http://www.six-pac.com/fits.htm

On Feb 9, 11:55*am, HK wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
On Feb 9, 11:27 am, HK wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. *The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. *From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. *I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. *I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. *Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. *I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. *I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. *I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.
Will yours look like this?

http://www.belairshells.com/generic.tpl?PageName=11

Or are you building something embarrassing?

Harry, I am totally oblivious to things that would embarass most
people. *What I build might embarass my wife though. *No, the camper
topper you show costs so little that I'd just go buy one. *What i want
is a slide in cab-over hard shell camper like the ones made by Lance.
I do not want one with pop up canvas because I will be in places with
bears, wolves and panthers (Wyoming) and although I have camped with
bears wandering round my tent (even wandering round me sleeping
outside my tent) I feel I have "been there, done that" and want the
peace of mind of hard sides.

Why not just buy one?

http://www.six-pac.com/fits.htm- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Because some people take pride in crafting something using their own
given skills. And unlike you, most people are skilled enough to do so.

On Feb 9, 12:46 pm, wrote:
On Feb 9, 11:55 am, HK wrote:



Frogwatch wrote:
On Feb 9, 11:27 am, HK wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.
Will yours look like this?

http://www.belairshells.com/generic.tpl?PageName=11

Or are you building something embarrassing?

Harry, I am totally oblivious to things that would embarass most
people. What I build might embarass my wife though. No, the camper
topper you show costs so little that I'd just go buy one. What i want
is a slide in cab-over hard shell camper like the ones made by Lance.
I do not want one with pop up canvas because I will be in places with
bears, wolves and panthers (Wyoming) and although I have camped with
bears wandering round my tent (even wandering round me sleeping
outside my tent) I feel I have "been there, done that" and want the
peace of mind of hard sides.

Why not just buy one?

http://www.six-pac.com/fits.htm-Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Because some people take pride in crafting something using their own
given skills. And unlike you, most people are skilled enough to do so.

I just wanted to make something else. I figure that if this is
successful, my wife might give in to my plans to rebuild the old log
cabin on our WY property.

On Mon, 9 Feb 2009 08:18:41 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.

What is it you're glueing? I've had good luck using Elmers Wood Glue,
according to the directions. The pieces to be glued must be clamped.

On Mon, 9 Feb 2009 08:18:41 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.

PS. Keep in mind that the camper won't take near the beating that a
boat does. It's not like you're going to be pounding the camper into
the waves!

Are the plans available online? They'd be interesting to look at.

On Feb 9, 1:41 pm, John H wrote:
On Mon, 9 Feb 2009 08:18:41 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch



wrote:
I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.

PS. Keep in mind that the camper won't take near the beating that a
boat does. It's not like you're going to be pounding the camper into
the waves!

Are the plans available online? They'd be interesting to look at.

Floor plan is online on the Glen-L site.
One thing that really bothers me is that the framing is assembled
using those awful corrugated fasteners that seem to split the ends of
the wood and then the framing is glued to the 3/16 ply. I'd much
prefer to assemble the framing on the 3/16 ply with epoxy but the
first assembly seems sorta necessary to get right.

On Mon, 9 Feb 2009 11:12:19 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

On Feb 9, 1:41 pm, John H wrote:
On Mon, 9 Feb 2009 08:18:41 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch



wrote:
I am building a version of Glen-L "Importer" slide in truck mounted
camper for my Nissan Frontier and I thought my experience with
building 4 boats would be helpful but the techniques are very
different. The camper has 1"X2" framing with 3/16 ply on the inside
and Aluminum sheet on the outside. From a boat building perspective,
structurally, this sounds like crap. I am desperately trying to
suppress my normal tendency to think "Hey, I've got a better way"
because my wife wants it to look good so I am really trying to follow
directions. I am liberally applying epoxy to all joined surfaces
instead of simply using wood glue as per directions but the whole
process seems "wrong" still. Unfortunately, the design is from 1972
before epoxy was available. I would really prefer a design similar to
boat building where strength is obtained from rounded shapes covered
with glass and epoxy, sort of a stitch and glue camper. I will glass
some of the joints that I think need it. I'd glass the whole thing
but weight is an issue.

PS. Keep in mind that the camper won't take near the beating that a
boat does. It's not like you're going to be pounding the camper into
the waves!

Are the plans available online? They'd be interesting to look at.

Floor plan is online on the Glen-L site.
One thing that really bothers me is that the framing is assembled
using those awful corrugated fasteners that seem to split the ends of
the wood and then the framing is glued to the 3/16 ply. I'd much
prefer to assemble the framing on the 3/16 ply with epoxy but the
first assembly seems sorta necessary to get right.

Which floor plan are you building?

Allen Lane seemed to have a good idea. "I glued and screwed all
joints; the glue I used was a premium urethane all weather glue, using
outside deck screws to fasten everything together."

http://www.glen-l.com/campers/rv-picboard/rvpic6a.html

That whole project just seems like it would be lots of fun. Sure hope
you'll keep us updated with pictures.

Good luck.