Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Knowing how wood, including plywood, can 'warp' in adverse weather conditions, my questions are:

1 - Is 3/4 plywood still relatively unaffected after a few years as far as warpage is concerned?

2 - Other then time, effort and possibly cost, is a framed and skinned wall better in maintaining a smooth true surface over time? (Including foam panel insulating inbetween the frame members.)

If the answer to #2 is 'yes', then what is the MINIMAL size I should consider for the side walls. For example - 1/8 skin, 3/4 frame, 1/8 skin. (Like to keep it lite as well.)

Thanks in advance!!

Fred

I have my walls finished and if you are building a sandwich construction almost any thickness will be plenty strong. Mine is 1 1/2 inch foam insulation with a 1/8 inch cedar strip interior and even before the aluminum exterior it is way over built. I would use 1/2 inch wood (except where the trim attaches) if I was building a sandwich wall again just to cut weight and expense.

Even if you use plywood that is warped to begin with, the shelves and cabinets in the galley and inside will stiffen it up and pull it flat. The curved roof and floor will also straighten it out too.

I built with the sandwich method, using 1x2 "studs", rigid foam, and 1/8in luan on the faces. It stayed pretty flat.

OK, I'm just about to order the material for my sides, not sure which way to go. I am thinking half inch ply with a skin of some sort, 2X2 studs with Styrofoam insulation and then thin paneling on the inside. What should I use for the skin? Is there fiberglass available in 10 foot sheets? If not, where can I buy aluminum? How is it attached to the plywood? Glue?