Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

SOmething I have found when doing my build is that i really should have built it about 2 inched narrower to accomidate the 5X5 sheets of baltic birch. I built the frame and the floor to be 60 inches and then attached the walls to the outside of that. this has given me an outside dimension of 62 inches. The wood supplier i use here in Utah only has it in 5x5. so i guess i will be calling around on monday to find a 4x8 sheet.

I am skinning the roof with 1/2 inch BB

to be honest wanted the king size bed, with the optional hottub fold out and butler quarters, but not going to happen.

Must find alspark so that i can design a trailer that can transform from disco palace and events center to relaxing spa to sleeping quarters.

Don't get your hopes up on finding any 4x8 BB.

A good alternative is Appleply. Any place that handles materials from States Industries can get it. It is the American version of BB and comes in 4x8 sheets.

halfdome, Danny wrote:I've bought 1/2" Russian Birch in 4x8 sheets before in the Seattle area.
Apple ply is okay, in my opinion it's just not as flat and stable as the Birch.
We all know what opinions are like
Danny

Russian birch is good too, it just depends on what you can get your hands on. A lot of people here act like BB is the king of all plywood. Look around, you might find something new.

Forrest747 wrote:I am skinning the roof with 1/2 inch BB

Are you sure you want to do 1/2"? One or two layers of 1/8" is usually enough.

Also, with the 4-foot dimension going across, this gives you a little less flexibility in your spar placement. You may want to consider this.

Forrest,

I used 1/4" Aquatek from MacBeath's here in SLC. It's available in 4x8 sheets, is strong and will not soak up any water that gets to it. Its a pretty good option. (BTW, I wasn't aware that David O. McKay was a Jeeper!)

Greg

GregB wrote:Forrest,

(BTW, I wasn't aware that David O. McKay was a Jeeper!)

Greg

Nice play on words brethren. We did a lot of fishing out at Pelican lake years ago when I was going to school at the Y on homemade float tubes (we couldn't afford store bought!)

I agree with aggie79 -- don't underestimate the difficulty in bending thicker plywood. The stiffness is a function of the thickness squared. If it's twice as thick, it's 4 times as hard to bend. Even the 1/4 ain't going to be that easy. 1/2 inch is 16 times as hard to bend as 1/8! Now, if you put glue between the 1/8 it's the same strength as the 1/4 once it is assembled. Also remember that the curve adds strength (a curved panel is more shear resistant than a flat one). If you were to use the 1/8 you could splice it in different locations with each layer which would give you some more flexibility. Anyway, it's not what you use but how you use it (don't let no water get on it!).

Forrest747 wrote:I built the frame and the floor to be 60 inches and then attached the walls to the outside of that. this has given me an outside dimension of 62 inches.

Welcome to my 62 1/2" world.... I have alot of cut offs haha

Baltic Birch from what all I have ever heard only comes in 5x5 sheets, but I got my 4x8 1/8" plywood (no clue what it is now) from a "Good" dealer (Not a box store) and on it's side the grain folds easier and you just need to plan ahead where your seams will be and you can do it in three sheets not including the hatch depending on your design. 1/4" and ANY 4x8 ply will fold better sideways anyway, but if you really want to do 1/4" I might suggest the two 1/8" method too.

Folding 1/2" ply??? 1/4" is plenty anyway.