1x2 or 2x2

[STORMRIDER151]

Getting started. The NT trailer is on order and went to the store and picked up some of the tools I didn't already have. I'm hoping I can get by without a table saw and a router table. I recon we'll see. I have a question on spars. I was curious as to why 1x2 as opposed to 2x2. I'm sure there's a good reason, it just seems to elude me at the moment. Keep in mind this is going to be a huge learning project for me and you guy's are the instructors. so please enlighten this poor uneducated sole. Thanks.

[TJinPgh]

Half the thickness means half the weight. But, it also means that you aren't losing as much floor space in a setup where every inch counts.

Those would be my reasons for using 1x2, anyway.

[dh]

A 2x2 spar where the hatch hinge attaches is not uncommon, other than that, why bother with the cost and weight of 2x2 when 1x2 is strong enough?

[aggie79]

A 2x2 spar where the hatch hinge attaches is not uncommon, other than that, why bother with the cost and weight of 2x2 when 1x2 is strong enough?

+1 on what dh said. If you plan for a vent fan, you may want to use 2x2 around the opening to give you enough "meat" for the screws.

[parnold]

I ripped 2x4's so in reality they were 1 1/2 x 1 1/2. In my trailer they were overkill in most places. I agree about more meat around the fan mounting area.

[DudKC]

Does it make it harder to run electrical wires through the spars when they are 1x2's? We just ran our wiring yesterday and found it was pretty easy to drill and run wires through the ripped 2x4's that we used for spars. It will add weight and cut down on interior room though.

[STORMRIDER151]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Kinda figured that's what it was but I had to ask. Thanks a bunch.

[linuxmanxxx]

If you follow what I posted here for building your sandwich walls just frame 1x2 around anything needing support such as the vent fan and you will be just fine. Its way deep embedded in the lightweight walls threads on here but the engineering reason is the shear measurement of the glue spread across the whole surface makes all the strength more than how thick the skins actually are. If you go wider wood and thicker foam over the 1x2 and 3/4" foam yes it is stronger but is heavier as well and way stronger than necessary as I can walk on one built with 1" thick double skinned luan walls floor and 1 1/2" vertical 1x2 ceiling and I weigh right at 200 pounds. My Floor Post