Sidewall Thickness

[Adz_4]

My teardrop is going to have single skin sidewalls and I don't know whether to use 1/2 inch plywood or 3/4 plywood. I would rather use 1/2" but are there any reasons why I should opt for using the thicker stuff? is 1/2" sufficiently rigid for the sidewalls?

[mikeschn]

1/2" is plenty. I used 1/2" on my Giant TD (in the HOF). Why add the extra weight if you don't need it.

Mike...

[doctor phreak]

i am doing 1/2" wall with a 3/4" core and then another 1/2" ply on the inside so my total wall thickness is going to 1-3/4" thick..some may say this is too heavy but for me weight really isnt a issue with my TV.....

[jackdaw]

If you don't need to insulate , I'm with Mike 1/2" is good.

We used 3/4" on the Grumman, and the 1/2" on the Coppertop.

The copper top has turned out so much lighter than the grumman, I know it's a fair bit smaller, and less comprehensive, but I'm sure the thinner sides have helped. We used 1/4" for the floor on a 1 1/2 stud frame. With the mattress on top, we haven't noticed any lack of performance either.


#3 will have 1/2" sides.

Dave

[Ken]

haven's posted in years, sorry. This is what I did and it has lasted 40,000 miles plus with no problems or even thought of problems, I an sure it will last another 40. I am really quite surprised how strong it turned out. Start with ½ inch exterior (according the park rangers it keeps the bears out, trust me, it worked). Use ¾ spacers like studs in homes, fill that with ¾ inch styrofoam, glue everything, glue the spacer to the exterior and interior skins, glue the styrofoam to both sides of the walls. Finish the interior with 1/8 luan. Glue this to the styrophome and the ¾ inch spacers. The combination is strong as steal and insulated like an igloo ice box. Coldest nite so far was 18 absolutely toasty inside.