Building Sides

[ToadSprockett]

I've read a good amount of pieces on building sides, but with so much information making a decision isn't easy

So here's what I need, the sides need to be 5x10 at a minimum, I can get 5x5 birch and spline it together, which is OK but I wanted to do a glue up of 1/8" exterior, 1/2" internal (with routing for insulation and wiring), and then 1/8" hardwood lam on the inside (cherry in our case). So the 1/2" birch would be covered up, and the extra cost seems like a waste, I was considering just some good 1/2" ply in 4x8 sheets, maybe marine grade.

You can't get the 1/8" in anything but 4x8, and I'm really thinking a woody exterior would be awesome. So that leaves me with some questions...

Is there a good way to join 1/8" pieces to stretch them?, or should I just glue it to the internal ply?

Joining 4x8 pieces is not hard, but the seams would be an issue, I don't want a seam on the door, or have the exterior and interior plys on the same seam...

This is the first time I've confused myself with this

And before anyone says something about the insulation, we do VERY cold weather camping, so it really is needed...

Thanks

-Paul-

[dales133]

Mines stick frame but the same principal should apply for your method.
Mines a shade under 10 foor and i have the internal 6mm ply joined in the galley (mostly because i used the door cutouts for the xtra lenth so i didnt need a 3rd sheet of birch)
The external ply is joined on the door center.
Ive laminated the ply on with sikaflex and lap jointed the 6mm but just butt jointed the 1/8 (3mm)
Providing youve got good backing behind the join and sand them dead flush when dry it will look fine

[tony.latham]

Paul:

Insulation? I get that.

I'm a big supporter of Steve Fredrick's Teardrop Builder's Shop Manual: http://www.campingclassics.com/shopman05.html (Disclosure: No association with him.)

The best thing that ever happened to me, from a builder's standpoint, was that I decided to purchase a copy before I started cutting on my first teardrop. It's 269 pages. He solves a lot of problems and addresses how he tackled a woody with a 5x10' profile. I think this is it here:



Steve: Did I just violate the copyright laws?


http://www.campingclassics.com/diner8.html

Tony

[ToadSprockett]

I am in LOVE with that teardrop, that is so AWESOME... Now I more than ever want to do a woody...

I'll pick up his manual tonight and start reading.

Thank You.

Paul:

Insulation? I get that.

I'm a big supporter of Steve Fredrick's Teardrop Builder's Shop Manual: http://www.campingclassics.com/shopman05.html (Disclosure: No association with him.)

The best thing that ever happened to me, from a builder's standpoint, was that I decided to purchase a copy before I started cutting on my first teardrop. It's 269 pages. He solves a lot of problems and addresses how he tackled a woody with a 5x10' profile. I think this is it here:




http://www.campingclassics.com/diner8.html

Tony

[tony.latham]

That was quick...

Just what's on his website and in the manual.

Tony