63" wide

[Southern Oregon Bob]

I'm new to the forum and have already learned so much, but I have a few questions I'm anxious to resolve so I can get started on my first tear. I want to go a full 60" on the inside for a queen mattress. Thats going to put me over 60 for my top. So if I run my aluminum crossways on the top I'll have 2 joints. What is the best way to make those joints watertight and looking good. Can hardley wait to get started Bob

[asianflava]

Mine is 62 1/8 wide, the 5x5 birch I was using was actually 60 1/8 I didn't cut it to insure parallelism. I haven't gotten to the aluminum cladding yet but I plan on installing the seam the length of the trailer (along the top). There will be an extruded piece of aluminum to cover the seam. I am also thinking about putting the same extrusion on the sides, I like that look it breaks up the slab sided look.

[madjack]

...Bob, some commercial TD manufacturers do their 5 ft'rs that way, they simply overlap at a rib put a bead of "evil black stuff"(automotive windsheild sealant) between 'em and screw it down...works great for them and looks OK
madjack

[SteveH]

"evil black stuff"(automotive windsheild sealant)

I think it's called urethane sealant. And, Jack is right, it is nasty, evil, gets every where on everything, and gasoline is the best solvent to get it off when it is still wet. When it's dry, a jack hammer is best.

[Doug]

Be careful not to get any on your "hootus".

[Southern Oregon Bob]

Thanks for the quick replies. How about 54" tall. I can only find 4x10x3/4 in my area and I see a couple of boat builders on here making some pretty difficult joints. Can't I just butt joint 6" along the bottom with biscuts or dowels and then by the time I put in the bulkheads and 1x2 verticle bats along doors and where ever needed I would think that would be plenty strong? Any thoughts? Or do most people think they even need that extra head room. It seems tight when I add it all up, but I've never had the pleasure of sitting in one to see how it feels. Thanks again Bob

[norm perkiss]

Southern Bob,
You can have the sheet metal supplier join the sheets of aluminum. They make a multi layer fold that is weather tight. I just picked up my alluminum with 2 seams that will run from side to side. There was no extra charge for the seams. Our Teardrop is 64" wide and I did not find any local metal suppliers this 5 foot plus wide sheets. I may have to be creative with the edge molding, a little extra caulking?

I also made the height about 54" tall. I routed a lap seam the length of the plywood. The 1x2s and lap seam tie it all together with plenty of screws and glue. The seam is along the bottom portion of the wall.

There is plenty of headroom and the 5'+ width is perfect for us. The profile is not the classic shape, it's a more rounded.

Good luck with the build.
Norm

[Southern Oregon Bob]

Off the top of my head the seams sounds better then "The Evil Black Stuff"
Thanks Bob