Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

While at Menard's today I came across a panel called American Pacific Ivory Elements that I will be using for the ceiling of my cargo camper. The panel is four feet by eight feet by one-eighth thick. Three plys and very light weight. It is finished with a very faint geometric pattern in light tan and light gray on white background and is very lightly textured. Looks just like the stuff you would find in a manufactured trailer. Cost was $14.99 per sheet.

This panel could be good for walls in any teardrop or tiny trailer design but I'm sure it would not take the radius of a teardrop ceiling. My cargo camper is along the lines of a hopper so the ceiling curve will not be a problem.

I put "American Pacific Ivory Elements" in Google and all I get is Eskimos.

Hi there Lucy,

I didn't find it in Google either. I suspect American Pacific is a Menard's "house brand" that isn't available anywhere else... at least not under that name. The best I can suggest is to cruise your local lumber superstore (Lowes, Menard's, or other) and see if you can find something to match the description. Regular lumberyards can be quite helpful sometimes also. Never hurts to ask around.

I find most of my materials by visiting building centers and just browsing. Sometimes I find products there one week that are gone the next and vice versa. I usually buy it on the spot if I'm pretty sure I will use it. For example, Menards sells a 4' by 5' by 1/4 inch 5 ply exterior glued birch underlayment for about $10 a sheet. If you dig through the stack, it is possible to find a beautiful piece about every third or fourth one. I am using this product to sheath the exterior of my tiny trailer (sort of a cross between the sunspots and grasshoppers you see on this site). The sheets have nailing guides painted on one side but the other is nearly perfect. I am using the panels with the nice side in and the lesser side out where it will be painted. The inside will be finished clear.

I have also found screen door handles with locking buttons and simple keyed deadbolts on sale that can be re-keyed all alike. I now have these for both doors, the hatch and the front awning hatch. Again, just a case of cruising the stores.

Good luck Lucy, I hope you find every thing you need to create your dream trailer.

Dan Jones

Lowe's and HD has cheap thin paneling. I'll probably end up using a sheet of that for the tight curve of my ceiling. I'll be turning the back side out for a genuine natural wood look. Problem is, I gotta sort through dozens of sheets because the backs are generally stained with dye or have other imperfections. Too bad there's no 1/8 luan in my area.

Dan, I think that is what I used that for my interior headliner and it looks great. If I recall correctly I got it on sale for about $11 a sheet. My teardrop is 5 1/2 feet wide so it was installed cross-wise.

Then I was looking for some thin ply for the top and the best stuff I could find (that wasn't Luan or cardboard) was that paneling. So I scuff sanded it and wet it and pealed off the paper pattern. It appears to be fairly decent quality. It is really strong and I soaked some pieces in water for days and days and it didn't swell or separate at all. I did pay the $14 a sheet then but it worked so well that it was worth it. I feel that with the epoxy covering it should last a while. Below is a poor-quality picture of it.



Ed

EZ wrote:Dan, I think that is what I used that for my interior headliner and it looks great.

It's 7 months later, Ed--and he hasn't reposted since.

So I don't think he's gonna hear you!

Ira, leave it to you to bust me for answering an ancient post

I must have been seaching or something to have come across that one. You gotta admit, it's great info......

Ed

Ira wrote:

EZ wrote:Dan, I think that is what I used that for my interior headliner and it looks great.

It's 7 months later, Ed--and he hasn't reposted since.

So I don't think he's gonna hear you!

Actually 19 months

One more time, I think it's closer to 31 months. 2004??

Must be that new math.

...snickersnickersnicker............................................

Hey folks... I'm still out here!.

On the T&TTT front, I've been enjoying the one I made. Some of my interest has been diverted to motorscooters and you may have noticed my post in the thread on that subject.

T&TTT ideas are still rumbling around in my head but no new product produced. I found some 3' x 7' luan doorskin at HD and am considering a super lightweight instant disposable TT&T just for the fun of it. I'd like to keep the total cost -- minus trailer -- under $150.

Another product I plan to try out is the heavy, reinforced, UV safe vinyl material that is used for roll-up sides and full covers for big rig trailers. The price isn't bad at my local tarp maker.

In the meantime, I check in often and enjoy all of your posts. You folks are making lots of beautiful trailers and banging out enough ideas to fill a catalog.

Happy New T&TTT Year!!

Creamcracker wrote:

Ira wrote:

EZ wrote:Dan, I think that is what I used that for my interior headliner and it looks great.

It's 7 months later, Ed--and he hasn't reposted since.

So I don't think he's gonna hear you!

Actually 19 months

HOLY CRAP! YOU'RE RIGHT!

NOOOoooo... I really, really, do exist!

I just took my pulse and I seem to still be alive. Just made a New Year's resolution to post more often.

And Ed -- your ceiling looks great. That paneling is sweet to work with. Menard's had a big sale on it last year so I bought ten extra sheets just to make sure it didn't get away. Wow... with that much stuff on hand, I must be planning something.

Dan, thanks for coming back with a comment. I feel vindicated......


Ed