Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi all. I am considering using wood trim on my exterior instead of aluminum. I have seen many here that are just gorgous. What wood speicies is most commonly used? Or what works best? Thanks

Which wood is up to you and your budget. I'd stick with hardwoods, I used red oak, but dreamed of a trailer skinned and trimmed in Bubinga -(African Rosewood) I would guess a wood with a tight straight grain would work best.

I used Mahogany on the sides with Ash as my contrasting trim wood. But I agree, use what you you like and can find locally. Have fun with your build!

What did you use on your cabinet trim? Are you carrying a "theme"?

Juneaudave, Oak primaraly. Not much of a wood guy, wasnt sure as far as exterior use. Oak is the most accessable hard wood in my area box stores and I love working with it... Soooo......I guess that will be my wood. thanks Junea.

Steve_Cox. Thanks for the info. Ive been admiring your handy work. Beautiful craftsmanship. You have definitley inspired me. Thanks

I used a Spalted Maple. Love it but it might be hard to get. It did a beautiful job planed down to 1/8th

Basically what you like and can afford.

I gotta ask how one makes the wood trim follow the trailers curves? Is it so thin it bends? I can see that working on the top of the roof skin, but I can't picture how it is done on the wall exteriors.
???

Geoff

shoeman wrote:I gotta ask how one makes the wood trim follow the trailers curves? Is it so thin it bends? I can see that working on the top of the roof skin, but I can't picture how it is done on the wall exteriors.
???

Geoff

I used a 1x12 and cut the curves from it.

Hi Geoff,

Several ways to do this, I thought this way was easiest.

My trim is a lamination of several layers about .200 of an inch thick, the top one was 1.5 inches wide, with half of it hanging over the side edge of the TD. It was epoxied and screwed on first. Each subsequent strip was .750 inches wide by .200 thick and epoxied under the top overhanging piece, etc, etc, until the desired width was achieved. Belt sanded smooth on the edges and rounded with a 1/2" radius router bit.

I made my trim with a router, the inside curve is the first cut using a router with a guide before the roundover .

I used beech wood on mine mainly because I couldnt find any ash right then. If you have a millworks place close to you they are a little cheaper than the box stores.

I used Pine cause (I am cheap) I didn't know any better. It is soft and the wood plugs were hard and well ya know....Somehow I got it to look okay.....


Then I stained it. If I would have used mahogany, no stain would have been needed. But I didn't know this.



If I had to do it again...I would use a harder wood. The pine dings easy.


Mk

I see. So it can be done with long strip laminate construction bent around the curves, or pieced out of various cuts of board butted together. Steve, did you do the layup right on the tear or while the walls were still off the rig?

shoeman wrote:I see. So it can be done with long strip laminate construction bent around the curves, or pieced out of various cuts of board butted together. Steve, did you do the layup right on the tear or while the walls were still off the rig?

It was on the tear. I don't near the skills JuneauDave has or Mary Kay, he is a craftsman and she is an artist. I am more a wood butcher.