Novice Question

[bjeppson]

How do you fasten the side panels to the trailer frame especially if you do not want to see the bolt heads?

Bob

[mikeschn]

Hi Bob,

I assume you've already seen these plans... http://www.mikenchell.com/images/GenericBenroyPlans.pdf

Your best bet is to attach the sides to the subfloor, with exterior drywall screws. You'd bolt the floor to the chassis.

Hope that helps.

Mike...

[WesGrimes]

I used perforated angle iron and torque bit head flat head machine screws every 6 inches. The angle iron goes inside the trailer, and the bolts have permanent lock title for the nuts (inside trailer). I fiberglassed over the heads, so permanent was important
The angle iron is secured to the deck with SS wood screws. Go find a Fastenal store, much better selection than the big box stores.

[Woodbutcher]

I attach the floor to the walls and then bolt through the floor into the trailer.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Depends a lot on how your walls are constructed and how you plan on finish the exterior. Both of my builds had solid 3/4" walls and painted exterior finishes.

On my first build, I used carriage bolts and attached directly to the metal frame. On my second build I used lag bolts and attached the sides to 2x4 wood framing. In both cases I countersunk the bolt heads just enough to putty over with wood filler.

[bjeppson]

Thanks folks, I was trying to envision screwing into the center of a 3/4" edge piece of poplar and having it be substantial structurally. The 2 x approach or the angle iron approach seem very plausable though it sounds like many folks have used the 3/4" base very successfully over the years. Didn't the builders of vintage trailers use 2x4 which was probably dimensional in the 30's and 40's?

Thanks again,

Bob

[DMcCam]

There a tons of ways to attach the walls to the deck and the deck to the chassis. Here's a link from the construction tips section: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=19442

For my build we used 1" deck plywood (1 1/8") bolted to the chassis frame with welded angled tabs. We then attached the walls to the deck using long exterior deck screws and PL Premium glue. The walls extended all the way past the chassis frame so the PL Premium glue was used there too. We then filled the holes and sanded flat as prep for the aluminum skin.

Cheers,

Dave

[bjeppson]

Thanks to all of you. I have a good idea of how to proceed.

Bob