Filling a PVC pipe to make a stronger outdoor shower rod. Need help.

[John Gordon (Home)]

I know it sounds nuts, but for constructing an outdoor shower/potty
enclosure frame that will attach to our popup camper, I've decided to use
sch 40 PVC pipe and fittings to build the rectangular frame that I need to
hang the curtains from.

The problem is that even though this frame will be fairly small (3'x7'), it
will still be somewhat flexible, and I'd like to find something that I could
pour/squirt into it during assembly that would set/dry/cure to stiffen and
strengthen the frame. I was thinking nonshrink grout, or mortar mix, or
possibly expanding foam...

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
--
John Gordon
jrgo...@knology.net

[HeatMan]

The grout or mortar mix will be heavy. I realize you will be pop-upping,
but heavy does count there also.

I'd go with expanding foam and/or use 2" PVC. 2" PVC is some stout stuff.

HeatMan
2000 Coleman Niagara

"John Gordon (Home)" <jrgo...@knology.net> wrote in message
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[Paul Batchie]

John Gordon (Home) wrote:

> for constructing an outdoor shower/potty
> enclosure frame that will attach to our popup camper, I've decided to use
> sch 40 PVC pipe and fittings

How about schedule 80?

pb

[Richard J Kinch]

John Gordon (Home) writes:

> I know it sounds nuts, but for constructing an outdoor shower/potty
> enclosure frame that will attach to our popup camper, I've decided to
> use sch 40 PVC pipe and fittings to build the rectangular frame that I
> need to hang the curtains from.

Consider schedule 80 PVC. Lowe's sells it, including floor flanges for
making railings. Maybe 3/8 inch galvanized?

[Goedjn]

Replace the PVC with EMT tubing?
If you're using regular PVC, and not the heat-resistant
kind (CPVC?), it can soften even more in direct
sunlight on hot days. This isn't a problem for
freestanding pipe, but it is, once you start hanging
stuff from it.

[Bob]

How about appropriate sized wooden dowel?

Bob

"John Gordon (Home)" <jrgo...@knology.net> wrote in message
news:ubldne...@corp.supernews.com...

[MarkC (formerly Mark)]

It is a common practice to slide a smaller pipe inside a bigger pipe to add
strength in applications like yours. Find the two sizes that will do this,
then do it. This keeps the project cost down, (no extra fittings required)
and doubles the strength of the pipe. Keep in mind that the inner pipe will
be loose and free floating inside the outer pipe and that is ok.

Mark

"John Gordon (Home)" <jrgo...@knology.net> wrote in message
news:ubldne...@corp.supernews.com...

[RamblinOn]

"John Gordon (Home)" wrote:

> I know it sounds nuts, but for constructing an outdoor shower/potty
> enclosure frame that will attach to our popup camper, I've decided to use
> sch 40 PVC pipe and fittings to build the rectangular frame that I need to
> hang the curtains from.
>
> The problem is that even though this frame will be fairly small (3'x7'), it
> will still be somewhat flexible, and I'd like to find something that I could
> pour/squirt into it during assembly that would set/dry/cure to stiffen and
> strengthen the frame. I was thinking nonshrink grout, or mortar mix, or
> possibly expanding foam...

Seems like expanding foam would add strength? How strong does it need to be?
We are going to build a frame for a bird blind to do nature photography; just
pvc and camo cover. It flexes but it is darn hard to break (I can't do it).
Just going to cap the ends and leave them hollow, have it so it pops together
and can be dismantled and carried away; don't want it to be heavy. What are you
going to hang the shower frame from? Don't leave home without bungee cords;
they sure come in handy :o)

[satanh...@elvis.com]

Not sure what diameter pipe you are using, but I once made
the framework for a large privacy screen for my deck. For the poles at the ends
and corners of the run, I used copper pipe INSIDE of cheap,
flimsy PVC pipe. The pieces without the copper inside flexed more than others,
but none of them ever broke, even in gusty winds.

[anep...@gmail.com]

on a 2" PVC insert a length of EMT / MEtal Electrical Conduit, Maybe 1/2", center it inside the PVC pipe and fill it up with expansion foam. It will be nice, solid and a little flexible so that it can take stress...

[bob_villain]

These people may have passed from the planet...this is 14 yrs old!

[trader_4]

Aside from that, I don't see how you easily fill a 7 foot long pipe
with expanding foam. A short one, yes.

[DerbyDad03]

I guess that depends on your definition of "easily".

There are a pourable expanding foams, e.g.

http://www.reynoldsam.com/product/foam/?gclid=CPKD09DimswCFdRZhgodOFME9A

If the picture is accurate, it sure wouldn't take much to fill a 7 foot
pipe.

[Bob F]

Just put a properly sized wood dowel into it.

[TimR]

On Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 11:02:49 AM UTC-4, Bob F wrote:

>
> Just put a properly sized wood dowel into it.

Or a chunk of rebar. It comes in 1/8th inch increments so you should find a size that fits snugly.

[DerbyDad03]

On Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 11:02:49 AM UTC-4, Bob F wrote:

I recently built a pot rack for SWMBO. The pots hang on a 36" x 3/4" copper
pipe. While I doubt it will ever sag due to the evenly distributed weight,
I inserted a "properly sized wood dowel" into the pipe, just to be sure.

I built the top half of this, i.e. a single pipe on a square frame:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeON_DhAwpY/VPOSstcXihI/AAAAAAAAFyU/5Q-wMvqCAgo/s1600/farm1.jpg

[bob_villain]

Yes, we've all seen this, thank you!

[trader_4]

I can see it working if you get the pourable type. I've never seen
it in local stores, so I was thinking of the typical spray can type.