Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I have my entire tear skined on the outside and have only on more interior panel to cover inside,the wall opposite the door. I should receive the windows tommorrow so I can cut those out and test fit them. I started on the galley today, I got a nice old icebox out of a junk camper we have been salvaging,My wife has been stripping the old latex paint of them,then I will sandblast them lightly and spray them with some automotive PPG 2K urethane,probaly white.I am going to replace the thin layer of fiberglass insulation with some 2" R-Max ridged insulation. I am doing some cool things in the galley,it will be kinda "U" shaped and will have curved cabinets. The IceBox will be in the center and the stove will be on one side with the sink on the other.
I am going to mount the trailer frame this weekend if my help shows up. do You guys use carriage bolts to mount the body to the frame or just hex bolts and fender washers or? Also I was thinking of putting down a layer of kraft paper (similar to roofing felt only thinner) under the aluminum skin on the roof or would this be a waste of money? I do have a gallon of school bus yellow urethane I got by mistake and could spray that on the sheeting before I apply the aluminum,it cost me $150 but I will neveuse it anywhere else!
Thanks! Aaron

Great work Aaron. I don't understand the need for kraft paper but if you want to water proof before the aluminum you could always paint the tear first.

GitRdun

I was thinking the kraft paper would be a vapor barrier and to help shed any water that may get under the aluminum, If you guys dont use it then I wont either. I guess it really wouldnt work anyway since the aluminum will be glued on ! Thanks! Aaron

Aaron,

Careful about gluing on the AL, aluminum will expand with heat. It seems some folks on here use the trim to hold the AL down and let the the AL float.

I have not done it just remember reading on here about it.

I'm kinda torn between perimeter gluing or completely covering it with glue.
I want it to be as smooth as possible without rippling but have heard there can be issues with expansion and contraction,anyone have the final word on this subject? Thanks, Aaron

I took the tip from Madjack and floated my aluminum with just the trim and no adhesive. Drove from Corpus Christi, TX to Lake Bistineau, LA and back and nothing flew off. I think it makes putting on the aluminum a lot easier--has to. Between the trim pieces and fenders and vent plates, etc, there is lots to hold the skin on.

I coated my exterior shell with poly before putting on the aluminum.

does the AL bubble up or does it lay flat against the sides and top when perimeter mounted? I wont have alot of accessories on one side of my trailer to hold it down unless I use some horizontal trim down the side?
I have read that some use Henry's tile glue stating that it stays flexible enough to allow for some expansion and contraction, it seems to me that even Henry's will harden up over time,Ofcoarse I dont know this for a fact
so has anyone who has completely glued the AL on want to make a suggestion?
I am struggling over this! Aaron

I glued mine down with Henry's "Outdoor Carpet Adhesive". So far so good. It is also held on with edge trim.

If you float the aluminum, the area most likely to buckle is the area behind the door and above the fenders.

asianflava wrote:I glued mine down with Henry's "Outdoor Carpet Adhesive". So far so good. It is also held on with edge trim.

If you float the aluminum, the area most likely to buckle is the area behind the door and above the fenders.

Hmmm... I've thought about this... How about just putting a dob or two of silacone or urethane sealant here and there? It should flex enough to let the aluminum expand, yet not buckle or try to lift? Just my thoughts on the subject...

I used the Henry's 663, but the trim really holds everything in place.

did you use the Henry's on the entire surface or just around the edges?
Thanks! Aaron

I also used Henry's 663 two years ago and it has not given me any problems what so ever. It is easy to work with and you have tons of working time with it. I had carpet glued to the deck of my pool for around 5 years and when I took it up it was still plyable. I will use it on the next one also.

Oops forgot to mention I covered the entire surface and used a small notched trial to apply it.

Airspeed wrote:did you use the Henry's on the entire surface or just around the edges?
Thanks! Aaron

This should explain a lot.

I give you guys credit with that aluminum--it scares the crap out of me.