1/2" or 1/4" ply

[Cliffmeister2000]

Plus, in sandwich construction, the added (negligible) weight of the insulating styrofoam or whatever, and the framing. Still, I believe it to weigh less than an equivalent amount of 3/4" ply.

[Roly Nelson]

My little woody has 2 layers of 1/8 inch on the roof, and only 1/4 inch on the side walls. I've camped in 30 degree temps. /with a little 14 dollar elect heater, and slept with no problem. My contention is that 3/4 inch sides and floors are super over-kill. As a matter of fact, 1/2 half inch is over kill. My little 4x8 woody has only 1/4 inch sides, (actually only 3/16, per Lowes standards), have camped in 30 degree temps with either a little elect heater or an electric heating blanket, No problem at all. All that is required is horizontal and vertical stiffening members are included in the manufacturing process. Good luck, and remember, keep it light.

My humble feeling is that most tears are over built, weigh too much and all of that heavy plywood has no advantage, what so ever. Just my 2 cents, and it seems to have been working out just fine for 6 years.
Roly

[afreegreek]

My little woody has 2 layers of 1/8 inch on the roof, and only 1/4 inch on the side walls. I've camped in 30 degree temps. /with a little 14 dollar elect heater, and slept with no problem. My contention is that 3/4 inch sides and floors are super over-kill. As a matter of fact, 1/2 half inch is over kill. My little 4x8 woody has only 1/4 inch sides, (actually only 3/16, per Lowes standards), have camped in 30 degree temps with either a little elect heater or an electric heating blanket, No problem at all. All that is required is horizontal and vertical stiffening members are included in the manufacturing process. Good luck, and rember, keep it lilght.

My humble feeling is that most tears are over built, weigh too much and all of that heavy plywood has no advantage, what so ever. Just my 2 cents, and it seems to have been working out just fine for 6 years.
Roly

read: MOST TEARS ARE WAY OVER BUILT.. yessir!

[rpm750]

Thanks guys for your posts.....

So I guess 1/8" ply with the foam/framing and 1/4" ply would be around, not exact, 40-45#. That would be a big savings on weight! Would the 1/4" stained and sealed stand up to the elements or would I need to cover it with something?

[karch67]

I used 1/4" birch for my sidewalls with exposed 1x2 framing around the windows, doors, and seams. Used 1x2 roof spars and covered the whole trailer in .032 aluminum.