Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I've been on SAF's website getting quotes for aluminum. They sell 4x10 sheets of .032 anodized, but only sell the 5x10 in non-anodized 3003. Thus, I'm toying with going with the sides anodized and the top non-anodized. Any thoughts? By the way, I'm looking at a $500 bill for this. (OUCH!)

I've got a place in Missoula I'm going to call but other than that it looks like I'll have to order it and pay shipping.

Thoughts? Thanks,

Tony

The non-anodized aluminum will age at a different rate than the anodized, so over time it will look like two different materials.

aggie79 wrote:The non-anodized aluminum will age at a different rate than the anodized, so over time it will look like two different materials.

Thus, you'd lean with non-anodized on the walls and the top? Is that good-looking tear or yours anodized?

Thanks,

Tony

Tony,

If it were me, and you were going with unpainted aluminum, I'd chose the same material for both the roof and the sidewalls. As you have found out, the trick is finding the aluminum for the roof in usable dimensions.

I did use anodized aluminum - I think it was "bright clear" or something like it - that I bought at sign materials shop. The largest sheet size was 4' x 10' and my teardrop is 5' wide so I have one seam on the roof and one seam on the hatch. (My hatch is about 6' long.)

I actually like the aged look of non-anodized aluminum. It gets a very nice light, almost smokey, patina to it. To keep it from staining, you could do as I do and apply a light waxing of carnuba wax before each outing. The wax makes it easier to clean the bug splatters, bird droppings and tree sap from the aluminum.

Besides sign shops, places that repair semi-trailers will usually have coils of non-anodized and white painted aluminum.

Take care,
Tom

aggie79 wrote:Tony,

If it were me, and you were going with unpainted aluminum, I'd chose the same material for both the roof and the sidewalls. As you have found out, the trick is finding the aluminum for the roof in usable dimensions.

I did use anodized aluminum - I think it was "bright clear" or something like it - that I bought at sign materials shop. The largest sheet size was 4' x 10' and my teardrop is 5' wide so I have one seam on the roof and one seam on the hatch. (My hatch is about 6' long.)

I actually like the aged look of non-anodized aluminum. It gets a very nice light, almost smokey, patina to it. To keep it from staining, you could do as I do and apply a light waxing of carnuba wax before each outing. The wax makes it easier to clean the bug splatters, bird droppings and tree sap from the aluminum.

Besides sign shops, places that repair semi-trailers will usually have coils of non-anodized and white painted aluminum.

Take care,
Tom

Tom:

THANKS! I found some 5052 non-anodized that should work fine at a reasonable price.

Tony

Watch Craigslist, here in Minneapolis there's an individual that sells up to a pallet worth of surplus aluminum sheeting. You just don't know when, or what he'll have. 4 X10 is what I remember seeing, about $45-60 a sheet, sometimes white, last was black anodised. Didn't want black, so I'm still waiting!! I would stick with the same for both sides and roof. Can always paint it though too. Goodluck!