Ideas? Need to build a lightweight frame..........?

Question

The frame needs to be:

Strong enough to hold stretched shade fabric.
Strong enough to withstand high winds when necessary.
Light enough to put on top of an RV roof. Strapped down of course.
Very inexpensive.

What material would you suggest? We priced wood and it's too expensive. The frame will be about 14X32 ft.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I think part of my question was misunderstood. When I say strong enough to withstand strong wind, I DON'T mean while driving down the road. LOL This RV is parked. It gets windy here sometimes (30 mph) is pretty common. This structure will be like a large carport for the RV. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Answer 1

Try PVC pipe it is strong, lightweight and inexpencive, but you will have to anchor it but with a piece that big you would have to anyway

Answer 2

This seem like a rather tall order, perhaps you could double check those dimensions; 14X32 ft? if you strap that to the roof of your RV you'll need a wide load permit to move it. Withstanding "high winds" with something that size will be a challenge.
An aluminum tubing structure would probably be my choice for a combination of strength and light weight, for strength and (relatively) low cost I'd use steel tube, for all three, (strength, light weight and low cost) it gets tricky. Perhaps a lucky buy on surplus aluminum tube might make it "inexpensive". I have built a frame about half that size (8' x 20') for a stretched vinyl fabric sign, from a couple hundred dollars worth of surplus aluminum tube, but I was very lucky to find it, and that was a while ago when prices were lower. Considering the current scrap price of aluminum, you might not do so well.
If even wood is too expensive you might have to reconsider the size

Answer 3

That's a large area, too large for something "lightweight" and able to withstand high winds. Might be some pre-fab choices at retail stores, like backyard shade structures. Out of season in most areas right now. Fiberglass rods are usually used for "hoop" type structures. Anchorage is key, wind uplift would be tremendous on a structure that size.

Answer 4

Look for PvC piping and joints at your local hardware store. Make a freestanding box framework with a few supports across it (top, bottom and halfway up). Hang your photographs from the top and middle supports. Basically, you're constructing a ladder in 4 dimensions.

Answer 5

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/XNoue
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

14' x 32', light, and strong enough for high winds?
You are blowing smoke.
Thats almost 450 sq. ft. of sail area.
It could drive a small ship.

Answer 8

check with a local metal fabrication shop see what it would cost to make out of aluminum tubing.

Answer 9

wood is the cheapest thing you can use that will hold up over such a distance. you can try pvc, but it'll need to be at least 2" to be strong, and that'll be as much as wood. if you need it bad enough, scrape up the cash.

Answer 10

Bamboo canes?