Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi Guys, I'm looking for your opinion on what to do where the side wall aluminium meets the roof aluminium underneath the trim moulding.

Should I make an overlap or butt join, or do you have another opinion altogether?




This illustration is an imaginary cross section through the trailer where the wall meets the roof.

Aw, do the overlap and forget the molding. Just don't forget the butyl tape.

I cut my roof AL 1/4" narrower than the roof, this allows both room for expansion and "wiggle" room while installing...place butyl tape under the edge molding and head on down the road...oh yeah, I also "float my AL skins, using a couple of staples to locate until the trim, fenders and such are installed to hold the skins in place............
madjack

If i were to overlap the aluminum, I would over lap on the side wall with the roof panel - instead of what you have shown. moisture would tend to flow over the joint . be sure to apply sealant in between

madjack wrote:I cut my roof AL 1/4" narrower than the roof, this allows both room for expansion and "wiggle" room while installing...place butyl tape under the edge molding and head on down the road...oh yeah, I also "float my AL skins, using a couple of staples to locate until the trim, fenders and such are installed to hold the skins in place............
madjack

I'm doing the same as MJ but I did add a bead of 3M 4200 adhesive/sealant along the edges beneath the aluminum in addition to the staples. The 3M4200 is flexible. Molding will top the butt joint.

madjack wrote:I cut my roof AL 1/4" narrower than the roof, this allows both room for expansion and "wiggle" room while installing...place butyl tape under the edge molding and head on down the road...oh yeah, I also "float my AL skins, using a couple of staples to locate until the trim, fenders and such are installed to hold the skins in place.

Pretty much how I did mine also. So my vote is for the butt style.

I did the "Butt style" because if there is one thing I learned from building my trailer it's that "Trim will hide a multitude of sins."

butt style. i like the look of the molding on the edge

Thanks guys, I think we have more butts than lappers! :D