Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I've done a few searches within this forum and can't seem come up with the answer to this one.

My wife and I are planning to build our first teardrop this winter. We have the plans from Kuffel Creek in hand.

The description and pictures show the skin attaching to the plywood on the side. On the top, however, he shows something different.

My wife thinks there is a layer of plywood under the skin on the top.

I think the skin goes directly on to the spars and insulation.

This isn't a matter of who is right, rather, how is the best way to put this thing together? Should we get a few pieces of bendable plywood to put under the skin or will that add un-necessary weight? Is that layer of plywood important and I'm missing something?

Questions, questions, questions...

joe, i don't know how KUFFEL CREEK does it, but for me there is no way i will put the metal on just the spars and insulation. that would be a problem. i have two layers of plywood, which comes out to about 7/16"then i glued the metal to it. you can stand on my roof. i don't know how much weight it adds, i just wanted a strong roof. the roof is a very important part of the trailer.

Joe:

Kuffel Creek’s plans ask to install the aluminum directly over to the spars and insulation foam.

Raul

I added a piece of 5.2mm luan plywood to my roof prior to installing the aluminum. I felt it would increase the strength as well as protect the trailer from dings/stones alittle better. It really doesn't add that much more weight or cost.

I put the luan ply on the roof as I used a thinner than "normal" aluminum. I was concerned that the roof metal would deform since it is thin. The luan layer also captures the insulation since I didn't glue it in. I think the luan added strength to the entire Teardrop. I will build the next Tear the same way.
Norm

Agreed with everyone above:

The Kuffle plans say just aluminum directly on the spars/insulation, but everyone I've heard here puts a substrate under it. (I'm a woody, so not an issue.)

I followed those plans for the trailer, deck/floor and the side walls--then I ignored most of it and did what I learned here instead. I'm pretty sure you'll wind up doing the same thing.

As an introduction, an overview to the whole build process, those plans are cool. I'm just not a big fan of them when it comes to actually building the thing.

A clairification to Joe's question. What your saying, put something under the skin is the best way to go. My question is, if you glue it or float it, do you use fasteners on the edges or does the edge trim hold the skin in place?

Jim

I built a Cubby just like the plans with the roof - NO substrate and there are lots of other ones out ther the same way. No problems that I have heard of. The best part about the Kuffel Creek plans is that they give you the small details on how to do most of the things. Anyway, my exterior skin which is .040 aluminum for the roof is directly on the spars and insulation, just polyuretheneed to the spars. The edge molding holds it in place after all. No need for anything else under it and I personally DO NOT plan on standing on my roof for anything (I have ladders for that)

Kerry

norm perkiss wrote:I will build the next Tear the same way.
Norm

Next one? Well I quess you did already have your maiden voyage. Will you be selling the first one?

toypusher wrote:I built a Cubby just like the plans with the roof - NO substrate and there are lots of other ones out ther the same way. No problems that I have heard of. The best part about the Kuffel Creek plans is that they give you the small details on how to do most of the things. Anyway, my exterior skin which is .040 aluminum for the roof is directly on the spars and insulation, just polyuretheneed to the spars. The edge molding holds it in place after all. No need for anything else under it and I personally DO NOT plan on standing on my roof for anything (I have ladders for that)

Kerry

Well, Kerry--don't the Kuffel plans tell you to use .030 aluminum?

YOU CHEATED!

IraRat wrote:Well, Kerry--don't the Kuffel plans tell you to use .030 aluminum?

YOU CHEATED!

I used .032 on the sides, but had not ordered the correct amount and had to buy some more. There is a place locally that carries 4x10 .040 for less than I originally paid for the .032, so.................

Yes and I cheated! On alot more of the plans than just the roof aluminum, I'm soooo embarassed

Kerry

Who am I to judge?

You're the one with a beautiful teardrop and I'm the one who's still stepping on nails and tripping over poplar in the backyard.

Thanks for the kind words. I just happen to not have another job at the moment and could devote lots of time to the teardrop build.

Watch out for the poplar, it's pretty hard and can cause sore toes!

Kerry

I put the spars in, then covered them with the luan, glued them together with Power Grab and then floated the aluminum on top and secured it with molding on the sides.
This is with the luan on it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twisted76017/13345054/in/set-138594/
This is from the inside: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twisted76017/13345055/in/set-138594/
Check it out with aluminum here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twisted76017/34715631/in/set-138594/

KZ76017 wrote:I put the spars in, then covered them with the luan, glued them together with Power Grab and then floated the aluminum on top and secured it with molding on the sides.
Check it out here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twisted76017/34715631/in/set-138594/

Looks cool, K! Did that side alum come shipped with the plastic coating like that?

And K, I wouldn't mind a little less job work myself--and the way things are going, I might just get that opportunity.