Weerider's Teardrop Project.

[jdarkoregon]

Howard,

I AM IMPRESSED. Great Tear! I'm looking forward to seeing how you do the alum skin

Thanks John

[Weerider]

Thanks Heikke, Peg and John. When applying the aluminum skin, should I use carpet glue, contact cement or something else... any suggestions?

Howard

[Sonetpro]

I used outdoor carpet adhesive. It worked well. when doing the sides I installed the bottom trim loosly so it wouldn't slide off. I held it in place with painters tape and some clamps around the doors. With the humidity here it took a week to cure.

[jdarkoregon]

Nothing is an option too.

I've gone to Tx to See Sonetpro's tear, it is perfect. But I dismatled a full sized trailer and didn't find any glue connecting the sides. If you think about it, there really is a lot of stuff holding the siding on, doors, windows, fenders and edges. I think MJ just floats his skins.

I'm thinking about floating too, but haven't got to that stage

John

[Sonetpro]

Yes all the trim and doors and everything holds it in place. I did the adhesive because I thought the heat here would cause oil canning.

[jdarkoregon]

Steve,

Have you had any "oil-canning" with that adhesive? I guess my real question is, did any of the adhesive break loose with the movement of the trailer?

What thickness of alum did you use in your roof?

I'm finally getting near this same part of my build.

John

[Weerider]

I am also interested in thickness used. I am curious as to whether most folks are using .032 or .040.

I think I am going to use contact cement just because I have lots of experience with it. Hopefully it will stick well enough to prevent oil canning.

Is aluminum sheet soft enough to trim with a laminate trimmer?

Howard

[toypusher]

I am also interested in thickness used. I am curious as to whether most folks are using .032 or .040.

I think I am going to use contact cement just because I have lots of experience with it. Hopefully it will stick well enough to prevent oil canning.

Is aluminum sheet soft enough to trim with a laminate trimmer?

Howard

The problem with Contac Cement is that if it starts to oilcan, then it will tear your plywood apart. The cement will stay with the AL and if the AL pulls away, it will shread the plywood. I used the outdoor carpet adheasive and have no problems in the last 3 years.

[Sonetpro]

Steve,

Have you had any "oil-canning" with that adhesive? I guess my real question is, did any of the adhesive break loose with the movement of the trailer?

What thickness of alum did you use in your roof?

I'm finally getting near this same part of my build.

John

Mine hasn't oil canned at all. I used .040 on the sides and .063 on the roof. .063 is the only thickness I could get 5' wide.
As toypusher said I would not use contact cement. Wood and aluminum expand and contract at different rates with the temperature. The carpet adhesive stays elastic where the contact won't.

[Sonetpro]

I am also interested in thickness used. I am curious as to whether most folks are using .032 or .040.

I think I am going to use contact cement just because I have lots of experience with it. Hopefully it will stick well enough to prevent oil canning.

Is aluminum sheet soft enough to trim with a laminate trimmer?

Howard

Howard I trimmed mine with a rotozip so a laminate trimmer should work. You just have to go slow or it will burn the bit. It made a real nice blunt edge. Also put painters tape where the base will ride on the aluminum so the shavings do not get in between the base and alum and scratch it.

[Weerider]

Thanks Kerry and Steve... I will use the carpet adhesive.

I thought the laminate trimmer would work so I will give that a try.

Will post pictures once I get started.

Howard

[toypusher]

I guess it won't help now, but I cut my aluminum at the same time as the sidewalls - all in a stack.

[Weerider]

I have finally gotten a couple of pieces of Aluminum on the Tear. This pic shows one side dry fit. the other side is glued on. I used PL polyurethane adhesive... hope that isn't a mistake.

I have a question... I have seen pics of teardrops with rows of screws holding the aluminum siding. Is this a good way to fasten siding? Will it eliminate oil canning?

Howard

[aggie79]

Nice job! Keep up the good work (and pictures).

[rdkng07]

Howard, very nicely done. Can't wait to see the finished product.

RG