ACP, XPS and Ply Sandwich Panels for Teardrop Builds

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Original Member Title: ACP/XPS/Ply sandwich construction
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A member in Australia asked whether others had used DIY sandwich panels for teardrop or caravan construction, describing a build with an ACP outer skin, XPS foam core, 3 mm inner plywood, glued aluminum trim, and wood hard points for awnings or roof racks. They compared it with earlier plywood and FRP builds, noting problems with water penetration in plywood walls and better weight and waterproofing results with composite panels.

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troubridge11

New Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2026
Posts
4
Location
Bribie Island, Australia
G’day!
In Australia, a growing construction technique for caravans is to use a composite panel comprising Filon or similar with xps foam core and strategic hard points for mounting. Benefits are strength, light weight and speed of construction. My son and I have built three teardrops/squaredrops, the first two were the usual heavy ply with either fiberglass or filon outer. Water penetration into the walls was problematic despite much care being taken during construction.The third was entirely frp panels and much improved in weight and waterproofing. My son has now launched into his next teardrop using a diy sandwich panel with ACP outer skin, xps foam core and 3mm inner ply and I am impressed to say the least. Using the right hightech glues the waterproofing is exceptional and aluminium trim simply glues on with adequate pre bending and tape. It is easy to insert wood hard point reinforcing during the gluing up phase for any mounting of awnings, or roof racks etc.
has anyone here used this technique?
 
Well, that’s a nice welcome to the site, calling my message “AI slop”. I joined on the expectation that everyone was welcome and there would be a friendly sharing of ideas and experiences. Not a good start at all.
 

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