Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am coming to the point of my build that I need to start planning on how to attach the aluminum to the frame, liquid nail -or- screws -or- rivots?
Since my TD is 4.5' tall and 12'9" long and 6'wide I will have seems. Im just affraid of sheets of aluminum coming off going down the road since I dont have the large contact surface of a TD built of wood. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Big DE

Big...there are some 2 part epoxies out there that are used in the trucking industry to glue up the cabs on trucks...comes in a dispenser like a big syringe with a mixing tube on the end that spirals and mixes the resin and catalyst when you squeeze it...I can't remember the name of the product right now, but it's one way to adhear the skin to the frame without a spot weld or a rivit...sorry, I just can't come up the name right now...maybe some other forum members know what I'm talking about....Jack, you've got lots of years trucking...do you know what it is called? Doug

Another option would be tape. Yes, tape. Check out Redneck Trailer Supplies for a product called 3M VHB tape. I would think that this would have a much longer work time but might not be as forgiving for final positioning. With the tape I think that you would have to get it right the first time. Depending on which type of epoxy you use the work time can be as short as 15 seconds so if you go this route check out all of the specs first.

Check out the third page of the following PDF link.

http://www.redneck-trailer.com/2006/I/I4-I6.pdf

Hope this helps.

Mike

I do believe the adhesive Doug is referring to is Fusor Metal Bonding Adhesive. It does work, tho it can be a little annoying to work with and a bit hard to get used to the idea.

Looks like 3M's got something similar here.

Doug, there are dozens of types out there...almost all the adhesive manufacturers have a two part panel bonding system and they all have one thing in common...pricey...talk to your local auto paint/body supply house, as that is who will have them locally...most modern cars use those systems to bond body panels to underlying structure
madjack
p.s. Fred(Alaska Teardrops) builds with a metal frame...ya might wanna ask him how he attaches the skins.......MJ

Duramix is one of the products. They make many different types of adheisives, they do have a couple for metal to metal adheisives. They also different cure speed. Very strong products, but like MJ says they are expensive.

I build trailer bodies and have done a few that we call "rivetless".
We use the two part epoxy that has been described and VHB tape is also used on site for many things as well. I gather what you are describing is attaching your skins to the framework of the trailer? Yes?

Both methods would give you satisfactory results providing you are prepped correctly beforehand.

The two part epoxy would allow you to position the panel more to your liking after setting it on the frame, however in the case of the epoxy I use at work, you may not lift it off of the frame at any time before curing. Sliding the skin is OKAY. Lifting the skin is NOT! Lifting the skin prevents bonding.

VHB tape is easy to work with and not so expensive. You could lay the tape onto your frame leaving the liner film on the sticky side in place. Next lay your skin on the frame and then start on one end, lift the skin a bit and remove the film and stick the skin.

Clamping pressure is used for both methods. In the case of epoxy, stringers are placed across the skin and clamped until the epoxy sets.
With the VHB only slight pressure is required to get the maximum grip.

Good luck and happy building.

Tony

OK Madjack

With my best frog imitation......

...........RIVET........................RIVET............

..RIVET...............RIVET....................RIVET........

Big DE, For pictures & description of the way I fabricate with tubing, XPS, rivets & aluminum go here: www.AlaskaTeardrop.com . Ask away, if you have any questions.

Looks like you have a good solid start.

Fred

:peace: