Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Alot of what I have read about the plywood used suggest using Birch. Why is that?

Getting on soapbox
Are we not as a teardrop society hurting the feelings of the other great wood species out there taht have given thier lives so that they may have the chance to become a teardrop.

We have selected aluminum for many of our project what about the zincs or stainless steels off the world. the gold and silver are these not as worth as alumninum. I say stand up support these great and noble metals and woods. do not let Big Birch and Big Aluminum control Teardrop destiny! UNITE!

Forrest-

Birch was the popular interior plywood of the 50's & 60's travel trailers.

I think if you really check out the "Hall of Fame" trailers you'll find quite a variety of materials used...

Not just Aluminum...

Cheers,

Coop

i use a 13ply(3/4") cabinet grade ply, it has a poplar core and while several external veneers are available, the birch is the least expensive plus it takes a finish really well...I use a 7ply 1/2" version for interior cabinet work...I do have an aluminum top(couldn't afford copper or stainless) but the sides are covered with epoxy empregnated camo cloth...I'll leave the gold/silver/platinum to those with DEEPER pockets than I......................
madjack

Forrest747 wrote:Are we not as a teardrop society hurting the feelings of the other great wood species out there taht have given thier lives so that they may have the chance to become a teardrop.

I try to be all inclusive. I have birch, pine, oak and poplar in my teardrop.

I used oak on the first two and knotty pine on the third. Came really close to using walnut. I love the look of that wood.

im useing red oak @165.00 $ a sheet for 4x10

I need a 4 X 10 in any cabinet-grade ply... where're you sourcing yours, Norm? My local ply mega dealer's website says they have 4 X 10 Baltic birch, but there's none for sale in their store... so says the yard salesman. Whomever would know inside had gone home for the day and they're closed on weekends.

Thanks, Norm!




As for the Original Post, a birch veneer interior, once varnished/sealed and aged just a couple of years has an unrivaled color for brightness, yet is very warm and inviting. As goldcoop said, it was the stuff to use in those great, mid-century, atomic-age travel trailers, some of which I'd give my left arm to own (almost). The interiors in those trailers are simply awesome, literally, awesome.

Another reason for the popularity of Baltic birch is the sheer (no pun inteded) quality of it's makeup. As madjack mentioned, there're 13 layers of which the grain is laid at 90° to the next... with NO gaps... and using exterior glue.

Baltic birch machines/cuts very well, it is somewhat stable meaning a large sheet won't twist as much as the more-common qualtiy construction grades of ply. And pound for pound, these cabinet-grade, many-layered plys are stronger than steel, according to wooden boat builders.

ssrjim's posted example of walnut has me thinking, though. That's just gorgeous. I might investigate the use of some that there stuff too!

Northland forest products
nfp
www.northlandforest.com
the guy dosent have the ten foot stuff on hand but can get it in a week
he did have 8 foot stuff of maple,walnut,cherry,birch and red oak
i looked at all of it side by side and the red oak spoke to me so i chose it over the others i no it wasnt the stuff im getting but dude gaurenteed that i did not like my redoak that is 10 foot i dont have to take it . that sounded good to me but @165 a sheet im demanding nothing less than perfect
they have two warehouses in virginia and one in new hampshire i think and i don't no about his shipping or any thing but ill help you any way i can just short of paying for it . buy the way when you call he might be in the yard but leave your number he will call ya . he told me he could get any species i wanted and when i was looking around i saw loads of exotic woods for trim and stuff like that. you would not believe what he has in there , he told me he deals alot with hobbyist and furniture makers , he is open on saturdays also here is his number 1-703-393-7500 remember ill help ya any way i can short of paying for it

NORM

Sorry about the rant it was early in the moring or late into the night.

MadJack question for you then. What thickness for the exterior wall. i was going to do the 1/2 inch like the cubby plans call for, yet you say 3/4 which i am not opposed to doing. What i was thinking, was 1/2 inch sides and then 3/4 roof. Home depot is having a sale on cabinet grade 4X8 3/4 I would have two seems in the room which i think i will have anyway cannot find 5X10 out in utah i have looked.

I build using 3/4 ply for the walls...I consider this a minimum, however others have used 1/2 and done so very successfully...for the roof...I use nothing...I apply the aluminum directly over the spars...no underlayment...no wall insulation(obviously), an inch and a half insul in the roof and I use 1/2 ply for the floor, layed directly on the trailer frame and place a sheet of styrofoam between the mattress and floor.......
madjack
p.s. I cut a 1/4 slot(w/router and a slot cutting bit) in the ply edge and a 1/4x1 hardwood spline with epoxy to make larger than 4x8 panels...MJ

a company in salt lake carrie 4X10 so i think im good. the extra foot would of been nice.

I used treated 1/2 ply over a stell frame. And a little of everything else that I could find cheap or free.
I would love to build the silver and gold teardrop tho. Any sponsers out there????

norm's tear drop

Northland forest products
nfp
www.northlandforest.com
the guy dosent have the ten foot stuff on hand but can get it in a week

you would not believe what he has in there , he told me he deals alot with hobbyist and furniture makers , he is open on saturdays also here is his number 1-703-393-7500 remember ill help ya any way i can short of paying for it

NORM

Hey NORM, thanks for the offer of help! That's awesome... but since I'm all the way out here in Cali, I should simply find a source out here. I think that Anderson Plywood should be able to order what I need, and, again, THANK YOU for your offer to help!

You are indeed an example of what is one of the best things about teardropping: The People. I salute you.

:salute:




Forrest, thanks for the funny and thought-provoking post about the underdog plywoods. Hahaha... glad you've mostly got everything worked out.

Well today I got some nice Baltic Birch 11ply, its 3/4 inch. The sheets at 4X8 so I will have to glue a couple of extra feet on. Any advice for making a good joint would be great.

The interior I purchased rustic cherry 5/32 thick. which i am excited for.

Forrest747 wrote:Well today I got some nice Baltic Birch 11ply, its 3/4 inch. The sheets at 4X8 so I will have to glue a couple of extra feet on. Any advice for making a good joint would be great.

We need more info... if you are making a woodie, then mabye a scarf joint. Or a biscuit joint if you plan on covering the joint.

If you are using aluminum, then a spline joint or a biscuit joint is plenty. Heck, you could even to a butt joint, backed up on the inside with a stud, like I did the Generic ET. (Pics in the HOF)

Forrest747 wrote:The interior I purchased rustic cherry 5/32 thick. which i am excited for.

Cherry is pretty, especially if you use an oil finish so that it develops a patina.

Mike...