Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Not that I'm really close enough to start sourcing materials...

But my various fantasy designs all involve inefficient use of 4x8 sheet goods. I just did a little searching for larger sizes and found it- 60"x120" Okume marine plywood from Allied Veneer here in Los Angeles. The only thickness available is 6 mm (approx 1/4"), 5 ply. I've used the 4 mm 3 ply version to build a Kayak and this stuff is excellent- pretty too in a big-grained way.

It's also quite light. A 4x8 sheet weighs 20 pounds- the 5x10 ought to be about 32. That is much lighter than regular plywood. Price isn't light though- $110 per sheet. A couple sheets would be worth it to me if I could avoid having to splice sheets- especially if I'm doing stained or painted sides.

From my experience building the kayak I don't think the 6mm thickness would work for the roof curve of a teardrop. I do have 5 sheets of 4 mm Bruynzeel Okume in the garage though!

From the website:
Joubert Okoume is the highest quality marine plywood available today. Joubert Okoume is certified by Lloyd’s of London to be manufactured to the British Standard 1088. This lightweight panel is used almost exclusively for marine applications. The type of customers who typically purchase the BS1088 Okoume can vary from the hobbyist boat/kayak builder to the largest boat manufacturers in the world.

A few years ago, I bought a sheet of 3/4 5X10 from Far West Plywood in Northridge (if you're in LB you are close enough). Went back looking for more and all they seem to have nowadaze is 5X9 1/2 and 3/4. They looked at me like I was crazy when I said I had previously gotten 5 X 10 but I know I did cause I can touch, feel, measure, and see it on my dump trailer any time I choose (see album).

Oversize sheets are not cheap. If 5 X 9 by 1/2 or 3/4 will work for you you might give them a call. Also depending on where you splice it (for example in the middle of the entrance door or over a frame cross member on the floor the splice is of minimal consequence and/or size. Of course if it will be visiable, a solid piece is much nicer to look at and work with.

Cheers,

Gus

Thanks Gus. Before I bought the Chalet- so in 2001- I found 5x9 x 5/8" locally for Ping Pong tables.

If I build though I want it big and light (for the size). A whole 50 square foot sheet of top notch marine ply would make a darn nice sidewall. It's very pretty too.