Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I have worked for my father in law here and there since marrying his daughter in 2000, he just so happens to be a cabinet shop owner and his shop is 50 yards from my house....SO the question, I have a supply of off colors of melamine, 4x8's I could use. IF you are covering the floor with sealant, is there any reason to not use alternate woods? Has anyone ever used different materials so save some cash?

I have a 4x8 trailer just itching to go, I am just hesitant to start.......getting close though...

thanks for the help

Are you wanting this for the floor. Should work fine for the top of the floor. Just seal the bottom and sides really well.

Free Melamine? ? ?

I was also thinking of using a non-wood product for the floor. Why not.....less work of sealing, can be screwed to framing? I will follow this post also because I think you are on to something too!! Heck you could use plexiglas, lexan........... Have to look into the material you are suggesting. Right now, I just completed my trailer, will paint, then start the actual build this fall.

originally I too was all about some lexan for a roof, but just so brittle, not sure that would be a good call for a bend. flat roof and I would go lexan for sure...

SpringerNC wrote:I have worked for my father in law here and there since marrying his daughter in 2000, he just so happens to be a cabinet shop owner and his shop is 50 yards from my house....SO the question, I have a supply of off colors of melamine, 4x8's I could use. IF you are covering the floor with sealant, is there any reason to not use alternate woods? Has anyone ever used different materials so save some cash?

I have a 4x8 trailer just itching to go, I am just hesitant to start.......getting close though...

thanks for the help

Most of the melamine that I have seen has a particle board core which is very vulnerable to moisture. Of course, if you can seal it well, as you mentioned it may work. Another thing to consider is that it is nowhere near as strong as plywood, so you'll probably need to consider this on your frame design.

I agee with all the coments about melamine with this addition THAT STUFFS HEAVY It's the main reason I bought my fork lift.I weighed a sheet one time just for kicks, 99lbs. Won't hold screws to well either.
My 2 cents, you get what you pay for.

David S wrote:I agee with all the coments about melamine with this addition THAT STUFFS HEAVY It's the main reason I bought my fork lift.I weighed a sheet one time just for kicks, 99lbs. Won't hold screws to well either.
My 2 cents, you get what you pay for.

+1 on the heavy comment.

SpringerNC wrote:originally I too was all about some lexan for a roof, but just so brittle, not sure that would be a good call for a bend. flat roof and I would go lexan for sure...

3/16 Lexan roof just bend it slowly over several hot days



Was it worth the trouble ????



Hell yes

I have so much time in the Paskett Case it didn't make sense to try to save $ on material. I started out trying to save $, but soon realized that the time investment was far greater than the material cost. If you want to save $, buy a ready-made. You won't reget it. IMO, of course.