Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am really new to this so here is my question. I am sure it has been asked many times before.
Can the sides of the teardrop be made from a single sheet of plywood? Would 4x8 be adequate or can you get larger? And how thick would it need to be? I like the idea of external bracing like the woody vehicles. I presume it would need to be a marine plywood.
Thanks.

Overall size would depend on the demensions of the tear you are building. If you are going with just single layer of plywood, I would go with 3/4" thick. You can get plywood larger than 4x8, but will have to look around for it and maybe even special order it. It does not have to be marine grade. You just have to seal it well to prevent water infiltration.

What appears to be bracing on the outside of some woodies usually is only a decorative element.

Traditional teardrops can be made from a single sheet of 4x8 plywood on the bottom and if you use the right profile, such as a Benroy, a single 4/8 sheet on the side as well. While this simplifies things greatly, it limits the space on the inside. If you are cozy with your camping parther, a "less than double" size sleeping area may be okay, but for most of us, a 5' wide teardrop is more comfortable.

Ply is made in 4x8, 4x9, 4x10, 5x10 and 5x5 sizes. What you can get locally may be a different question. Always ask about special order from your local lumber company (not the big box stores). While you may pay more per sheet, it may be a better deal as you can simplify your build with less waste.

As to thickness, you'll get a variety of answers I'm sure. Some folks swear by framed walls with 1/4" exterior skin and 1/8" interior skins. Many tears have been built with 3/4" solid sides although I think one could get by with less. Check out the Puffin 2 build thread. Steve is building a standy using only 1/4" ply as the sides, bonded by epoxy fillets.

Others may disagree, but good quality exterior grade plywood should be sufficient if sealed properly. An epoxy coating or aluminum sheeting with good seals on the edge trim should do the trick.

Brad

You don't need 3/4 for the sides. I did mine out of all 1/2 inch with 1/4 roof. Worked out great and it helped keep some of the weight down.

Thank you for the helpful answers. I would hate to start planning and find that I "can't get there from here" sort of thing. Although I would probably be camping solo it would be nice to have something wider than 4 feet. Five might do.
As for the design I am into something quite simple and small. No creature comforts except the bed and room to store an Igloo type cooler.
Going back to the wall construction, what is the preferred method. Thin ply interior and exterior walls with "studs" in between or would that single piece of 1/2" or 3/4" ply be adequate?
Thanks.

Bill J wrote:Can the sides of the teardrop be made from a single sheet of plywood? Would 4x8 be adequate or can you get larger?

I was able to get 4x10 sheets of 3/4 oak. Worked great.

Hi Bill!

In addition to what has been said I would like to add that you can use smaller(4'X8') size plywood and, using judicious cutting, hide the seams with exterior "bracing".

Living in the Pacific Northwest you might consider making your walls insulated too.

Bill!

Check with your local, independent cabinet & hardwood suppliers ... I live in a town of less than 100K, and I have two hardwood companies and three independent lumberyards who can all get plywood in various thicknesses in sizes 4x10, 4x12, 5x5, 5x9, 5x10, and I can even get 5x12 from two of them. The bigger stuff usually isn't stocked, but none of these guys have ever charged me anything for having it brought in on their next truckload ... ...!

Since you are already here, take a good look around at the various build threads ... you'll find many, many, many different methods to frame out your walls. I've been building teardrops for almost 25 years, now, and my personal preference is to use a 1/2" or 5/8" plywood core cookie-cuttered like the wing-rib of an airplane, then sheathed on the inside with either 1/8" or 1/4" paneling, fill the voids in the core with sheet foam insulation, and then sheathed on the outside with 1/4" luan before skinning with aluminum. You might find a method that you like better or feel more comfortable using.

Good Luck on your upcoming project! In the meantime ...

CHEERS!

Grant

Yes You can do single wall construction! In 1/2 inch. That's how I did mine with no insulation except for the roof. My roof is double wall 1/8 in side,then 1/2 foam, and 1/4 exterior.

Unless you plan on heavy freight on top of your tear, you do not need any where as much framing and heavy materials as it would seem.

Other than the wall framing (for insulation) I used nothing but 1/8'. Yes you could pound a hammer through it, but I choose not to, and no one else dare! If there was an accident, I could repair it quickly and easily.

The key is to keep it light, and the lighter it is the lighter it needs to be.

dave

Bill, If you haven't already, make sure you check out the Generic Benroy In the Top Menu. These plans will probably help answer a lot of your questions.

Good luck with your build.

I went to GENERIC BENROY PLANS (above) and the two occasions it would not download. Anything else I clicked on from the above list was fine.

Bill J wrote:I went to GENERIC BENROY PLANS (above) and the two occasions it would not download. Anything else I clicked on from the above list was fine.

That is strange. It works fine for me. Have you tried 'right-clicking' on it and selecting "Save Target As"?

No I haven't but I will try. Frankly I am a techno-dinosaur!

OK. I tried and I succeeded! Very helpful set of plans indeed. Thanks for the tip.
Bill