Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

hello all, I am a newbe here and just want to say that I love this forum. Seems to have a great group of people and alot of info.

Now, on to my question. I would like to hear what some of you used to skin your teardrop. I know that you can use aluminum, wood, filon(too expensive), etc. What are some of the other alternatives.

Thanks in advance,
chad

Here is a cheap option. I just painted mine with house paint.

I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

Chad-

Cedar Siding! What was I thinking




I think it looks great, BUT weighs a ton

Cheers,

Coop

goldcoop wrote:Chad-

Cedar Siding! What was I thinking




I think it looks great, BUT weighs a ton

Cheers,

Coop

I think it looks great. Maybe you can get some of those fake rocks made from foam and build a rock chimney on the side. That would give it a real cabin look and feel.

I was origianlly going to keep a wood look for the sides and paint the top but then I saw how cool the wood looked overall.

Oak Sides:


Birch Top:


Finished look:


Have fun deciding...........................

Barb

I copied Barb's TD but with my own little twist.


Birch with Pine trim stained Mahogany Red
Mk

Dooner wrote:I think it looks great. Maybe you can get some of those fake rocks made from foam and build a rock chimney on the side. That would give it a real cabin look and feel.

Thanks Dooner

Really not a bad idea



Cheers,

Coop

welcome to the forum and the madness. I spent a year planning and changed everything as I got into the build. But I love the results and had fun and learned a bunch along the way. I used spar urathane on the sides and bought a sheet of fiberglass for the roof. Photos in the album. Enjoy, randy

Great info and wonderful looking tears. Can someone tell me about the frp sheets that lowes/home depot sells?

aquaholic14 wrote:Great info and wonderful looking tears. Can someone tell me about the frp sheets that lowes/home depot sells?

Chad-

I think the concensus is:

Too much thermal expansion/contraction + questionable UV light stability

Cheers,

Coop

goldcoop wrote:Too much thermal expansion/contraction + questionable UV light stability

And heavy.

Dooner wrote:Here is a cheap option. I just painted mine with house paint. I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

Hey! I think that looks great!

I like the KISS approach of just painting it, I mean its good enough for houses year round, ought to work for something that is just going to be outside a few days, once in awhile.

My question is how do you seal it underneath? Did you still epoxy or glass, or primer then paint, or just paint (How many coats???)

Thanks, AL in Asheville

Alfred wrote:

Dooner wrote:Here is a cheap option. I just painted mine with house paint. I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

Hey! I think that looks great!

I like the KISS approach of just painting it, I mean its good enough for houses year round, ought to work for something that is just going to be outside a few days, once in awhile.

My question is how do you seal it underneath? Did you still epoxy or glass, or primer then paint, or just paint (How many coats???)

Thanks, AL in Asheville

To be totally honest with you, I really didn't see any reason to have to go overboard sealing the bottom. I know, I know, there are a lot of you that will disagree with me. And I may regret my decision later, but for now, all I did was spray paint it black.
I started with a flat black paint. It seemed to soak into the wood. I put on 4 or 5 coats of the flat. Let it set for a week and then used a gloss black. Put on a few coats of that and it seems to me to be sealed as well as it needs to be. After that set for a week or so, I sealed around the frame rails between the metal and painted wood with black NP1 sealant. That was so I wouldn't get dirty or mud in between there and hold moisture.
I will keep an eye on it and if I see something going on, I will take care of it right away.
I'm the kind of person that doesn't buy the extended warranty or service plan. I just keep my money and take my chances.

Hi Dooner,

I am guilty of semantic ambiguity! I meant, how did you undercoat the paint, on the entire camper, not just underneath the trailer!

Thanks, AL.

Alfred wrote:Hi Dooner,

I am guilty of semantic ambiguity! I meant, how did you undercoat the paint, on the entire camper, not just underneath the trailer!

Thanks, AL.

Gotcha! I primed with http://www.zinsser.com/product_detail.asp?ProductID=11. Seemed to be very good. Sealed stains and also smoothed out some of the nicks and imperfections.
I guess, only time will tell.