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Widget wall construction question

PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:48 pm
by zen
Hi all, I built two teardrops over the last few years and am now thinking about building a Widget.
Ive been reading all about the Widget and it looks cool. I have some questions about the wall construction and would like to thank you in advance.

I see the walls are cut out then insulated. Then a thin ply is put on both sides.I understand the nice insulation- warmth factor. But can I build the walls out of half or 3/4 ply and not insulate. Just like a tear I guess. Put the ply. walls up without insulating. Then insulating the floors and celling?

I live in Ca. and wood is a good insulator.

Sure would like to get your thoughts on this.

Thanks
Daniel

PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:04 pm
by Michele
I built a standy with 5/8 inch plywood walls. There is no insulation in the trailer at all. I live in Florida so I didn't think I would need any. I have been out camping with temps in the 90s and the 30s and I haven't had any problems so far.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:17 pm
by zen
Michele , thanks thats good to hear. Florida and Ca. are similar in temp. ( I think ) I like the idea of just plywood sides because even in winter my teardrop is warm enough. My tear has half inch plywood walls.

By the way I looked at your build photos and that was part of why I want to do another trailer something like you have done.

Can you tell me how wide,tall and long yours is. I may do a sandy instead if it will fit in the garage.

Dan

PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:02 am
by mikeschn
I built my Giant teardrop with solid 1/2" walls.

Since the walls let in so much cold air, I attached a couple pieces of EPS to the side walls in the area of the bed with double sided tape. It makes a big difference.

Now to make it look good, I think I'll have to glue some wallpaper to the EPS. :o

Mike...

PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:07 am
by Michele
My trailer is 6' wide and 10' long. The inside height is 5'3". So it is only a standy for short people like me. It clears the garage door entrance by only 1 inch.

You can build a trailer with a 6 foot interior height that still fits in the garage if you put in a drop floor. The best idea that I've ever seen for doing this comes from Steve Cox in his Gypsy Caravan. He used bed rails to frame the dropped part of the floor. I got to see his trailer last weekend and it feels so roomy and comfortable inside yet it looks so small from the outside.

PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:23 am
by zen
Thanks Mike and Michele,
Looks like half inch walls would work. I also like the idea of building and parking it in my garage.
I dont want a toilet but would do a dropped floor and some sort of table bed combo. I will be looking at other builds of this type in this forum and ya just never know.

If I decide to do one I will post photos as I go. For now its all just in my head being worked out.

Dan