Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Has anyone done this? Will I be the first? I have access to some 20 gauge brushed stainless steel. 60"x 120". Almost free. 4 sheets should be plenty for my small trailer. thanks, george

Free is music to a teardrop builder's ears, especially if it is something that would look fantastic and is functional. I looked into stainless steel, but once I saw the price, I quit looking.

Classic Finn (Heikki) in Finland is planning to use Corrosion Resistant Steel. (according to Ageless, there is no such thing as "stainless" steel. There are, however, "clueless" steel users like me ).

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=34857

Free is good but you will take a hit on your weight.

BTW: Stainless is just that, it stains less. CRS is more correct, but why get hung up on that kind of stuff. We know what you are talking about.

No . . . .CRS is a memory condition that comes with age

Can't . . . . Remember . . . .Sh**

asianflava wrote:Free is good but you will take a hit on your weight.

The weight of the stainless is about three times that of using aluminum. 20 gauge is about 1.5 pounds per square foot....75 pounds per 5x10 sheet. Four sheets = 300 pounds. How many square feet on your ultralight?

What gauge aluminum is everyone using?

The steel is strong enough that you would not need plywood underneath. You'll lose that weight, so if the steel can be got cheaper than aluminum; go for it

OK, now what do I bond it with?

georgedombeck wrote:OK, now what do I bond it with?

Some people don't, they float it and let the trim hold it down. It allows the skin to expand and contract independently. I glued mine with Henry's 663 outdoor carpet adhesive. Been a few years now, holding up fine.

From what I have found, it looks like 3M VHB is really good stuff.
I got a small 1 inch sample at work and I can not pull it apart.
Half Dome Danny has used it and may chime in..........

Wolfgang

Only 166 days till IRG III

georgedombeck wrote:What gauge aluminum is everyone using?

I've used .032. Doug

A couple thoughts, not based on much experience, so ignore selectively

1 - SS is much harder to work. It does not bend easily and is much harder to cut and drill. You will not be able to trim it with hand shears or a router. It will be cutoff wheels and grinders for you.

2 - Delorean (remember that guy?) had lots of trouble with the finish on his early cars. They ended up recalling some due to irregular staining on the "stainless" steel. Eventually they worked that out on later cars, but you are building only one, and if the SS misbehaves you have no dealer to return it to.

3 - Just my opinion, but embarking on a TD build introduces lots of unknowns. For me, it worked best when I was working with materials I was familiar with. Fiberglass was new, and not something I would relish doing again, though I might (after I go senile).

4- If you do choose to do SS, why not find a local who is familiar with the material, buddy up, and pick his brain for all it's worth.

5 - Time = money. Money saved often equals time lost. Just my opinion, but I have proven it to my satisfaction too many times.

Why not get a couple square feet of the stuff and play with it? Then you can make an educated decision. You can listen to us know=nothings all you want, but you have to do the work -- and live with the result.

We use this stainless at work all the time. Its very easy to work with, remember its 20 gauge. We fab up heat shields, boxes, even kitchen range hoods with the stuff. g

georgedombeck wrote:We use this stainless at work all the time. Its very easy to work with, remember its 20 gauge. We fab up heat shields, boxes, even kitchen range hoods with the stuff. g

Well, that looks like a game changer! Have at it.