Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

i have been trying to figure out the best way to add wood panels on the inside of my teardrop and the problem i am having is that i have all metal studs thru out the inside. (1/2 inch angle iron, bought it that way). without wasting a ton of money and a ton of wood what would be the easiest and best way to add the panels to the inside. thanks Brad

Construction glue! In a tube really would be the easiest. If you don't want glue smells you can use self tapping screws.
http://www.mcfeelys.com/self-tapping-screws

This will help you with the correct size for your metal

self tapping screws will not work due to the angle iron facing the wrong way...the outside alum is self tapped to the angle iron flat side. Any other ideas will be very helpful.

Screw or bolt in some wood strips to the angle. 1" x 1"? then mount the interior wood to the wood strips with glue and mechanical fasteners.

I have the same kind of frame/skin except that the skin is riveted to the angle-iron frame.

Where I needed to attach to the frame, I drilled through the angle-iron and screwed 1/2 X 1" studs to the angle-iron.

Otherwise, I'm planning to glue rigid styrofoam insulation to the skin and glue my interior covering to that.

<Chas>

I have the same problem. My 1940ish tear is just the shell. Aluminum exterior rivited to 2" x 2" angle iron. I have been trying to figure out how to finish the interior too. I have been reluctant to "glue" the interior wall finish but that may be my best option. I just wory if I am in extreme heat of the southwest that it may fall apart. Let us know what works and what does not work. It will ge great information either way.

Could you glue wood framework to the exterior skin, then scrw interion skin to that?

That is one thing I was considering. I just wory that the glue would loose adhesion in extreme heat. Any product suggestions? What kind of glue do you think is best. Liquid Nails?

nrody wrote:That is one thing I was considering. I just wory that the glue would loose adhesion in extreme heat. Any product suggestions? What kind of glue do you think is best. Liquid Nails?

If the inside of your build gets hot enough to melt the glue you really shouldn't be in it...

Take your pick....

http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=high ... h+temp+glu

I can imagine exposed metal getting hot enough to cause a problem but not if it is covered.

I know I would not be in it in extreme heat , but I am thinking of storage. The tear is stored in my back yard in Southern California and temps reach 110 F or more in the summer. the inside temp. can soar just like in parked cars.

nrody wrote:I know I would not be in it in extreme heat , but I am thinking of storage. The tear is stored in my back yard in Southern California and temps reach 110 F or more in the summer. the inside temp. can soar just like in parked cars.

I can see where it will get hot but so do cars and the headliners don't give way for years. There seem to be a bunch of glues designed for warmer temps. I would just start reading until I found one I liked. Ok I am a read-a-holic...

My suggestion would be to attach a 2x2 or similar lumber to the inside of the angle using screws through the side of the angle, then you have a wood structure to attach the paneling to. You may have to rip them slightly out of square because the inside surfaces of most angle iron aren't square. This wouldn't depend upon adhesive to work, although some construction adhesive wouldn't be a bad thing...