Anyone Know Bigfoot Camper's Wall Construction?

[deminimis]

Has anyone looked at the interior wall construction of a Bigfoot truck camper? I'm needing to install/build a drop down upper bunk bed in our 2500 series camper and I'm wondering if there are studs in the wall to tie into. Hate to pull the skin to see, but guessing that's my only option (unless someone has already been down this road). Specifically, I'm looking at the area around the dinette. Here's the plan:

[dwh]

Some info here (scroll down):

http://www.hackneys.com/mitsu/index-chassis-photos.htm



As to what the spacing is...who knows. Sonic studfinder *might* work I suppose.

[deminimis]

Thank you for the reply. They had a 3000 series which used Alumn studs. I should have mentioned mines a 2500 series (clam shell design) which didn't use alumn studs. Can't remember if there are any studs. Seems like I once read there were some spruce studs in there, but not sure. Heck, if so, they ought to call them "stringers" as opposed to "studs" as its closer to boat construction than camper construction.

[cnynrat]

I'm pretty sure there are some wooden frame members buried in the walls of a C2500, but I'm not sure where they all are. When we bought ours (1999) there was an option to put a fold down bunk over the dinette, so I'd guess there is enough structure in the wall and/or ceiling to support such an application. Some structure would be needed inside the walls to support all the cabinetry as well.

I'd suggest you contact Bigfoot directly, or you might try the Bigfoot Owners Club. I've been able to get some good information from people in the club.

[deminimis]

Thanks cnynrat. I tried out that board when we got our Bigfoot. Really didn't find it very helpful (unlike here), so I didn't opt for the $30/yr subscription when it came time.

I've emailed Bigfoot and I'm hoping for a reply. That's very good to know that BF offered a drop down bunk option at one time. At least it gives me hope that there's something to tie into and it will hold.

Thanks again!

[DDW]

I have a 2500 as well. There are some wood sticks in the laminate, but they are just glued in there with what amounts to contact cement. You would be able to find them with a capacitative stud finder. Everywhere else there is just extruded polystyrene foam. Their construction method was to mold the top (and bottom), spray it with adhesive, apply the foam and sticks where they wanted them, more adhesive, then the interior paneling. No vacuum bagging or anything like that involved, just lay it in there and pound it down with a rubber mallet.

[deminimis]

Thanks DDW. Yup, heard from BF this AM. No studs in the wall. Well, I've got a "Plan 'B"" to fall back on. Thanks again folks!

[JerryYukon]

I thought that BigFoot went belly up. From your post, I assume that they're up and running again ? FYI, I've also got a 2500.

[deminimis]

Came back in 2010. I believe the former shop foreman (and others) bought it.

[Ace Brown]

Good to hear that Bigfoot has come back. I always admired their designs.

I once owned a sailboat with double hull construction close to how a Bigfoot is built. I wanted to install a motor mount on the stern but wondered how these two unsupported layers of glass would suport it without simply compressing/breaking. The boat builder offered this tip. Buy a squeeze botttle of mustard and clean it out. Fill with epoxy. Drill holes where you will mount the bunk from the inside. With some kind of probe (dental or just a coathanger) work out a big open pocket in the foam under each hole. Use the bottle to squeeze this hole full of epoxy. Tape over the hole and allow plenty of time for epoxy to fully harden. Locate and drill holes for each bracket but only big enough to accept a lag screw into the epoxy as long as the wall thickness will allow w/o popping through. If two or more bolts will be mounted close together I would clean out all the area behind them so the epoxy block is one solid piece. When the factory mounted accessories on the camper usually a solid block of wood is epoxied between the shells during assembly. Squeezing in the epoxy as I have described is essentially doing the same thing except the block of epoxy becomes the hardwood block.

This worked very well on my boat. I had a 4 HP motor on a 21' sailboat and despite running aground several times, even in reverse where the mount took all the stress, no damage was ever done. However I would limit the bunk to kids and other lighter sleepers just to be safe.

Alan