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1/2" walls......anyone done this?
Posted:
Fri Jun 10, 2005 7:54 pmby surveytech
Anyone done their walls with just 1/2" plywood? I dont mean using 1/2" in a sandwich construction but 1/2" ply all by it's lonesome self.
Do you think it would be rigid enough to be able to make a removable galley?
I am trying to preserve some of the "utility" function of the trailer if possible and if part/all of the galley could slide out it would be ideal for our use.
Thanks to all!
Walter
Posted:
Fri Jun 10, 2005 8:38 pmby McTeardrops
Gasolene Alley Teardrops builds theirs with 1/2" plywood sides, and a single layer of 1/4" on top. Seemed fairly sturdy, just from climbing in and out, and swinging doors. They showed me a ten-year-old unit still in regular use.
Posted:
Fri Jun 10, 2005 9:31 pmby SteveH
I have a friend here that has an original 1947 Kit teardrop and they are built with 1/2" plywood walls and floor. The roof is made with masonite covering the spars with aluminum on top. Must be OK as it is still in very nice condition.
Re: 1/2" walls......anyone done this?
Posted:
Sat Jun 11, 2005 11:56 pmby GeorgeT
surveytech wrote:Anyone done their walls with just 1/2" plywood? I dont mean using 1/2" in a sandwich construction but 1/2" ply all by it's lonesome self.
Do you think it would be rigid enough to be able to make a removable galley?
I am trying to preserve some of the "utility" function of the trailer if possible and if part/all of the galley could slide out it would be ideal for our use.
Thanks to all!
Walter
I built mine with 1/2 plywood walls that are not sandwich constructed. Rock sturdy. Lookey here
http://home.earthlink.net/~g.teague/
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:02 pmby fornesto
Mine is 1/2" plywood. The extra 1/4" doesn't really do that much except add weight. The forces exerted on a teardrop are on the whole structure, not just the sidewalls. A good box-like construction is better than heavier sidewals IMHO. I also feel that heavier sidewalls will put more stress on the spars and spar screws as it enevitably rocks back and forth. Again, heavier can be your enemy.
1/2" plywood TD
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:18 pmby Finntec
I am building ours with 1/2" sides. All I have left is to finish the galley and attach the doors. I found that the 1/2" sides have been very sturdy once you put the roof on. When I build another one, I will use 1/2" again.
is that a pep boys frame under your tear?
Posted:
Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:28 amby surveytech
Ray and Debbie.
is that a pep boys trailer frame kit under your tear? It looks very much like the trailers at Tractor Supply except for a couple of minor details.
How has it been working out for you?
Thanks for the info on the 1/2" ply. I think thats what I am going to do as well.
Walter
Posted:
Tue Jun 14, 2005 1:07 pmby Roly Nelson
Walter, they make airplanes out of 1/8" plywood, so I built my woody sides out of 1/4" lauan, which is really only 3/16" thick! I have all of the openings lined with 3/4" pine, and when I jack up one rear corner, lift the wheel off of the ground, the doors work just fine. Of course the galley cabinets create the stiffness required to make the whole box unflexable. 2 layers of 1/8" were used on the roof, with the good sides facing out. 1/2" sides should not cause any problem that I can think of.
Roly, varathaning again for the Minden trip. :-)
Posted:
Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:20 pmby darockrider
My first teardrop a smaller than normal for motorcycle towwing has 1/2" sides. Once the roof was on and the skin glued into place it is very strong and very rigid. Just use care when attaching fender and windows and door frames as you have alot less wood for the screws to bite into!
Definately lighter by 50% over 3/4" and also much cheaper!
just my 2cents worth
Gerald