Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I want to buy Structural Insulated Panels with the aluminum siding like they are using on the teardrops here: http://www.happitrails.com/

Where can a person buy this stuff? I've tried to contact the poeple at http://www.amerimaxbp.com/ who make a couple of products that I want to use for construction including Starbrite polished aluminum tread plate http://www.amerimaxbp.com/product.aspx?itemid=20 and MaxxBrite enamel coated aluminum and some insulated panels for RV's but they won't or haven't returned my inquiries. They don't even answer theire phone and they are very close. I need to get into the manufacturing plant to get some scrps somehow.

"K",
I purchased Starbrite from a local retailer that sells aluminum sheet goods. They cut to size, no extra charge. You might call around in your area?
Possible the mfg. doesn't sell retail?
Norm

Dear KC,

Jamie from Happitrails did not buy those panels, he made them. The aluminum was put on after the panel was made just like on any other aluminum clad tear.

Here's a thought, get in touch with any of the major truck/trailer outfitters, big stuff, IE over the road. They usually have sheets of repair material for torn up reefer bodies. You might want to see if there is anything from a big rig wrecking yard, like an old reefer trailer that they are parting out. It's not going to be cheap though. doug

"K"
the best idea would be to make them yourself. Cheapest way and you can build them in the size and the thickness you need .
"Doug"
Not a good idea if you have seen and smelled what I have over the past 20+ years working on them. Also they are too thick any where from 3" to 5" thick also the interior is very wavey some times up to a 3/4" variance. And on the older units 5+ Years foam is most of the time water logged along with along with a few other liquids I will not mention.

Lone Wolf....good point. Most of my experience has been with units in Colo. and that was almost 20 years ago. Dry climate, not as stinky. Old meat haulers were brutal. It's been a while since I looked for those panels, and now I would buy or fabricate new. I'm too far removed to recommend anything like this. Thanks for keeping me in check. doug

OK, I don't mind building my own panels but I have never cut any .040 or .032 aluminum. What's the best method for cutting? What if I sandwich the 2 walls together and put the aluminum inside the sandwich and then use a jigsaw and cut them all at once.

Anyone see a problem with that?

It could work but your blade will be a compromise. The fine tooth bits for metal aren't the best choice for wood. It was mentioned in another thread that you could use a router to cut aluminum.

KZ76017 wrote:OK, I don't mind building my own panels but I have never cut any .040 or .032 aluminum. What's the best method for cutting?

The best method is to have it sheared to size when you buy it, or take it to a sheetmetal shop and have them shear it for you. If that's not an option a jigsaw with the right type of metal blade will work just fine too.
Take into consideration that you want to protect the surface of your aluminum sheet, i.e. place a few stips of tape on the heel of your jig saw and try to keep the filings blown out of the way from becoming trapped underneath the heel of your saw. (One of my jig saws has a little blower hose right next to the blade that feed from the motor)
You can buy some great little electric shears for cutting sheetmetal, but they are a spendy little item, especially if you are not going to be using it all the time.

Hey Norm How much did you pay for that StarBrite?
Thanks
Jason

KZ76017 wrote:OK, I don't mind building my own panels but I have never cut any .040 or .032 aluminum. What's the best method for cutting? What if I sandwich the 2 walls together and put the aluminum inside the sandwich and then use a jigsaw and cut them all at once.

Anyone see a problem with that?

I've considered this type of construction myself. FWIW I figured I would use the floor of the trailer as a flat laminating surface. Then lay a piece of 1/8 ply, good side down and glue the foam to that. You could layout some wood framing for door/window frames and mounting strips. You could glue another layer of 1/8 plywood or maybe bond the aluminum directly to the foam depending on the thickness of aluminum you choose. Stack the sides all up on the floor flat and apply pressure by weighting the whole thing down. That would make panels for the sides and bulkheads. To do the top you would have to build the curved panels in place similar to a conventional tear. Personally I would use a router and template to cut the sides. It's more accurate with less finishing.

Just a thought, Mark

Rental places should have the shears or nibblers to cut the aluminum with realitive ease.