Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

First I would like to thank everyone for the information on this site. I am sure the answer to my question is on these forums somewhere but I couldn't find it. I tried to skin the interior of the cabin with 5.2mil Luan and it didn't even come close to being able to bend in the 19" corner. I ended up breaking the sheet trying . Instead I used 1/4inch Sintra(PVC sheeting) for the corner and the Luan for the straight lengths. I tested the outside corner radius with the same results. Is there a trick to getting the Luan to bend easier or perhaps an alternative for the skin. I really do not want to spend the money for aluminum. Thanks in advance for your responses. Check out my album for pics of my build so far! All comments and constructive criticisms are welcome.

http://tnttt.com/album_ ... er_id=6339

5.2mm luan is not your best choice. It has voids and it's too thick to bend easily.

If you can get 1/8" birch plywood, it'll be like night and day.

I've also used 1/8" luan, and it's not bad, but it's not as nice as the birch.

Mike...

P.S. I remember cracking a piece of 1/8" luan on my first build!

I second the 1/8 ply. I used Red Oak, baltic birch would bend easier if you have a tight radius.

If you are not going to skin the roof with aluminum, use two layers of 1/8" with lots of glue between.

If you are going to paint the roof and are not worried about "bright finished wood" (varnished or clear epooxied), consider running the grain side-to-side and it'll follow the curve even better ... you'll just need to fill & sand the seam(s) where the panels come together.

Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

Grant

I used 1/4" bending birch. It worked great and was very easy!

I was at the Depot this morning picking up a sheet of hardboard to make a full size template to work from (and some more of the 99 cent spring clips!!). Of course, I couldn't resist the urge to browse. I found a 3/16" x 4 x 8 fibreglass re-inforced panel material for about $30 a sheet. It comes in white with a pebble texture finish and is supposedly paintable. I should have checked to see what the backer material was, but I didn't think of it at the time. I was more interested in how flexible it was. It looks like it should handle my curves pretty well. They had a big stack of 1/8" x 3 x 7 luan door skins on clearance dirt cheap as well; so if I decide to use the fibreglass panel I will probably use those for a base to glue to.

These panels might be a different alternative for side skins as well; but I'm sticking to my original idea of a woodie on the sides.

I used 1/8" fake pine paneling in mine. It took the inside curves really easy. I got it from Lowes.

The fake pine at Lowe's is pretty much what I decided on for the interior. And installing it crosswise will make the interior look wider than it actually is.

I was looking at the FRP (fibreglass reinforced panel) for the outer roof skin. I'm going to go back and if I can find anybody who works there with any kind of information, I will decide whether or not to use FRP for the outer roof skin. If I do decide to use it, it will end up being painted the same bright red as my frame and tongue box (can be seen in my album).

Your td is only 4' wide or is it 5'? You can get Baltic Birch in 1/8" at 5x5. Just look for football patches. you won't like the results if you get one on the bend. I used 1/8" Birch that was supposed to be plywood but ended up with a paneling. Worked great on the ceiling inside. Not good for the roof outside. If I had epoxied it might have worked better. Now I get to paint.........

Miriam C. wrote:Your td is only 4' wide or is it 5'? You can get Baltic Birch in 1/8" at 5x5. Just look for football patches. you won't like the results if you get one on the bend. I used 1/8" Birch that was supposed to be plywood but ended up with a paneling. Worked great on the ceiling inside. Not good for the roof outside. If I had epoxied it might have worked better. Now I get to paint.........

Auntie M.....

Not sure if you were addressing me or the original poster in this thread.

I hope to be the next member of the 40" chassis club. Just wide enough for a twin mattress!! No kids. no pets, no S.O., ...... just me!!

More or less from the beginning of my design I had planned on painting the roof, so I have been purposely avoiding the aluminum/tin/metal roof concept. It may still end up being the most logical option from a weatherproof standpoint. But all information given is greatly appreciated and is taken into consideration. Along with "search" and reading past posts!!

SkipperSue wrote:I used 1/8" fake pine paneling in mine. I took the inside curves really easy. I got it from Lowes.

I like the look of that. But I could not find it on Lowes website.

tinksdad wrote:... I was looking at the FRP (fibreglass reinforced panel) for the outer roof skin. I'm going to go back and if I can find anybody who works there with any kind of information, I will decide whether or not to use FRP for the outer roof skin. If I do decide to use it, it will end up being painted the same bright red as my frame and tongue box ...

Most people avoid using these FRP panels for exterior use, as they have no UV protection built in and will deteriorate in short order. Some folks have painted it with decent results and have greatly extended the life of the panel. If you decide to buy it and paint it as you've stated, make sure the paint you use has the highest available UV protectant rating.

Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

Grant

Miriam C. wrote:Your td is only 4' wide or is it 5'? You can get Baltic Birch in 1/8" at 5x5. Just look for football patches. you won't like the results if you get one on the bend. I used 1/8" Birch that was supposed to be plywood but ended up with a paneling. Worked great on the ceiling inside. Not good for the roof outside. If I had epoxied it might have worked better. Now I get to paint.........

It is 4' but I was originally going to use 1/2 inch for the sides. I decided to go with 3/4 but didn't change my measurements so now the outside width measures 48 1/2. Small mistake and a lot more wood.
Thanks for your help. I finished my galley today and started working on the doors. I will probably have more questions before the week is over!

RoskoPcoltrain wrote:

Miriam C. wrote:Your td is only 4' wide or is it 5'? You can get Baltic Birch in 1/8" at 5x5. Just look for football patches. you won't like the results if you get one on the bend. I used 1/8" Birch that was supposed to be plywood but ended up with a paneling. Worked great on the ceiling inside. Not good for the roof outside. If I had epoxied it might have worked better. Now I get to paint.........

It is 4' but I was originally going to use 1/2 inch for the sides. I decided to go with 3/4 but didn't change my measurements so now the outside width measures 48 1/2. Small mistake and a lot more wood.
Thanks for your help. I finished my galley today and started working on the doors. I will probably have more questions before the week is over!

Before you go out and buy a bunch more wood, consider what type of L-moulding you will use. If you use wide stuff, it should cover the 1/4" on either side.

Some panel talk here...

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ght=panels

and here
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 2080#82080