3D Printed Trailer

[Brian B-P]

It's unfortunate that this printed thing looks more like a septic tank than it looks like a travel trailer... even with decades of development to build on.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

... The Nest design had a composite structure, with no full-length frame. When Airstream bought the design and reworked it for production, they reverted to a more functional traditional frame, in part because the higher composite content was too expensive.

Too expensive even for Airstream?!? Now that's expensive!

[Donna D.]

https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/video?c...ource=facebook

Check it out.

[StarvingHyena]

Wow! That was cool .... Thanks Donna. I better sell my trailer while there is still value left .... tongue in cheek

Tom

[Brian B-P]

It does have interior features, which is good, but the (empty) window frames show the lack of sophistication in shape (why not print the frames?) and added furniture surfaces show the limitations of the method. The material is as translucent as I expected. Overall, hundreds of kilograms of polymer went to make a pile of junk which does serve the purpose of proving that this printer can produce a very large object... even if the object has no functional value.

How does everyone think that completely flat roof will work out?

The crude bits of aluminum framing the window openings suggest that these "trailer manufacturers" have little idea what they're doing. Maybe they should stick to printing...

[cpaharley2008]

It could be a good use of recycled plastics but with a 7 day print time for the base model plus more for finishing, maybe a 2 week gestation period? Still it is very innovative.....

[HABBERDABBER]

Going out on a limb, but I predict this will be a one-off exercise, at least for the near future. I'm wrong all the time, but it just doesn't appear to make economic sense near term. Makes some sense to use the process to make molds for a fiberglass lay-up, but I don't see the economic benefit for a production run of trailers.

[Donna D.]

I think it's GREAT, I hope they're wildly successful. I can definitely see where it's not even close to being finished. Those metal bits around the "windows" look like were merely added to provide definition. Someone has to start somewhere. While it may be crude right at this moment, it may be stellar in the future as technology advances. Did we even imagine 3-D printing just a few years ago? I can buy a reasonably priced printer and create my own right in the comfort of my home. I wonder what kind of criticism the Wright Brothers would have received on-line as they took that first flight? Doubtful at the time anyone could envision jumbo jets flying hundreds of people at one time.

[RJM]

I love it. The first Bolers had no insulation and a flat roof but was the start of something great.

[MyronL]

Actually, a couple months ago I was looking into how I could get a 3-D printer to make me a little scale model of my Escape 19. You know, just a toy-sized replica for my bookshelf. Even went as far as researching for the right computer software to create the files needed to send to some hotshot with the printer. It's doable. They're out there.

Then I got distracted and moved on.

[HABBERDABBER]

3D printing has been around for over 30 years.....dates back to the mid 1980's. An explosion of techniques, equipment and uses in the last 20 years. Nothing new, just got a lot cheaper in equipment.

A real gee whiz technology. Now when will I get my jet pack coming at an affordable cost?

[Donna D.]

Here's a great 3-D printed trailer: Casita Travel Trailer Miniature | James' Artlog

[thiggins]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Here's a great 3-D printed trailer: Casita Travel Trailer Miniature | James' Artlog

It looks just like ours ! Amazing.

[Donna D.]

Oh my STARS. I'm going to get to see it, in person!! Check this out, Ian posted this in the 50th Boler Event and Caravan Facebook group.. wooohoo

[Eggscape]

That is great! I will be there for sure. 50 years of the fibreglass trailers have lead to the Escape. Maybe 50 years of 3D trailers will lead to something great as well.