Which wood to use for sides and roof?

[garp55]

I want to build a 5' x 8' pop top trailer like George Teagues built and wanted to use marine grade plywood. I called Middletown lumber and the only thing they could find was 5' x 10' sheets at $190.00 each. They told me that if I did not use marine grade plywood for the trailer it would eventually rot away due to the voids in regular plywood. My question is, do you have to use marine grade and if mot, what can you use, I would like the sides and roof to be 1/2' or I could frame the sides and use a 1/3" ply for covering. Any suggestions would be appreciated, I realize that to make this 5' wide and 5' high I will have to glue solid 4x8 ply to the size needed, thanks Gary from Harrisburg, Pa.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I really don't think you want to use marine plywood. I could be confusing it with another treated plywood, but I'm pretty sure that prolonged contact with the chemicals found in marine plywood can be dangerous. You'd be much better off getting regular plywood and sealing it.... at least thats what 99% of everyone does.

[Sam I am]

I used Baltic (aka Russian) Birch from Industrial Plywood (in Lewistown and Reading,PA). It's great stuff - no voids, very strong, takes finishes well, looks good!
Sam

[planovet]

I used Baltic Birch also. Very good wood.

[synaps3]

Hell, I'm using $10 / sheet Luaun plywood, with insulation and pine 1x3's sandwiched inbetween.

Anything will rot eventually. It's inevitable. I'll coat my exterior with epoxy, then truck bedliner or automotive enamel.

My old cargo trailer is at least 30 years old, and the untreated floor that was never sealed by anything is still rock-solid.

All factory-built campers don't use marine-grade ply. I don't see why you'd need it.

[garp55]

Thanks everyone, but would it be better to frame up the sides and use a thinner wood or go with 1/2" Baltic Birch or similar wood?

[synaps3]

It depends on whether or not you want insulation in your walls. We camp in Florida a lot, and it gets HOT -- so we want to keep the cold from our AC unit in. That's why we went with a frame.

You could compromise if you don't like the thought of 1/8" ply, and use 1/4" wood on a minimalistic frame. It'll be rock-solid, and allow you to insulate.

It is all about preference. I'd say if you can afford to go with the Baltic Birch, do it. You won't be disappointed.