Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I know this is probably the most dumb question ever, but can you use wall paneling like you can buy at Lowes or Home depot to skin the interior of the cabin roof. I ask this as this stuff is really thin and it seems like it would be super easy to make the bends with. Also they have some really nice wood looking ones. Just wanted to see what you all thought before I pulled the trigger on this paneling instead of using the 1/8 baltic birch. Thanks.

I'm not sure if I did it right but I lined my ceiling with 5x5 Baltic berch then put on a 1/8 inch sheet of oak. I glued and stapled the berch, it wasn't pretty. Then I used contact cement to put on the oak with no staples except at the seams. I then put a piece of trim on the seam which was in a different place on the oah then the berch. Looks great and is a quarter inch thick. Y

I asked a similar question, and the answer I got is that the interior skin is not a structural member, so put whatever you want in there. I have seen several trailers that were uninsulated, and had no interior skin at all. They were just varnished inside, and they looked awesome.

Yes you can.

The thin material, usually 1/8" will bend easily, and as you noted, comes in appealing patterns and colors.
While it does not have to lend anything to the overall strength of the trailer shell, if it is glued and or screwed/nailed, it will really help with the overall concept of everything being tied together to make a strong structure.

The only issue you might consider is that some of the inexpensive panels stink.
That is, the glues and chemicals used in their manufacture offgass some objectionable odors/chemicals.
Using your nose when comparing is usually enough to tell.

Rob

I used the pebble grained FRP panel in the 4x7 teardrop. Very scratch resistant, wipes clean with a bit of soap and water , and no worry about water damage or seperation.

I used paneling on the inside, the thinnest I could find. I turned it backwards and painted it. Cheaper and more available than 1/8" plywood.

i did some cherry paneling for my walls and ceiling. 1/8th in and glued in place and at teh seams i put a thick trim piece. the large piece is held in place by the trim and teh roof vent.

I used paneling from Lowes for my ceiling. I am very happy with the results

Plus mark its already kerf'd for ya.

Lowes now carrys NRP no reinforced plastic same as FRP but no fiberglass added and the best thing is its extremely lighter than the FRP and has the same white pebbled look and ease of cleaning.

I'm not so sure about the headliner not being structural; it depends on your building technique. If you are building a sandwich where the headliner is part of a structural panel ceiling, it does add to the overall strength of the trailer. I used 1/8" Baltic birch which bends very easily and is a good quality material (no foul smells). We mortised a shoulder in the walls for the headliner to rest on and attach to. When we glued and stapled the headliner in place the whole structure became surprisingly strong. Each successive element from the spars, blocking, insulation and roof layer, added strength.

All the best,

Dave

Forrest747 wrote:Plus mark its already kerf'd for ya.

The box stores have some really authentic looking paneling these days. The depot has pine and Lowz has a nice cedar that look totally authentic. I am going for the cedar in my next build, it is not your old style paneling and for $15/ sheet, I'll pass on the sanding staining and sealing process this time. Just remember the paneling is only "Bendy" on the "short" width, so for your headliner you'll need to turn sheets sideways and end up with some cutoffs. That's going top happen anyway if you are doing more than a 4' wide though. I will probably opt for the stuff Mark used for the headliner and the Cedar looking stuff only for the walls as I do not think the pattern will look good (for my build) turned with the lines going side to side, I think they will all match just fine.

Sorry to digress, I know this is about YOUR build, but that is what I am doing, maybe it will be a help to you.