Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

High Density polyethylene or Puck board(Boar Board) has a very high uv protection and can withstand extreme temperatures. I have been looking for an alternative to diamond plating as I find it to heavy for my build. Has anybody used this before? Was it hard to work with? I almost think I should be skinning the whole camper in it!?

glenpinpat wrote:High Density polyethylene or Puck board(Boar Board) has a very high uv protection and can withstand extreme temperatures. I have been looking for an alternative to diamond plating as I find it to heavy for my build. Has anybody used this before? Was it hard to work with? I almost think I should be skinning the whole camper in it!?

I've used HDPE for bits and pieces of a few projects. It cuts nicely and will take a tap for threading. You can't glue it (to my knowledge). It's an interesting thought on using it for a chip protector. The one problem I see in using it, is that it has a serious expansion issue. Five times more than aluminum.

Here's a chart on the expansion issues of various materials:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pipes ... -d_48.html

TL

I've used HDPE components in playground construction. It is great stuff for some things like slides but as mentioned has a huge coeeficient of expansion. It can be welded using a plastic welder but I don't know any adhesives that work.

Thanks I may have to incorporate the expansion into my plans maybe allow it to "float". I can get it up to half an inch thick soI wonder if there is less expansion the thicker the material.

The bottom of my teardrop is 1/16" HDPE. It was kinda tricky to handle, being so thin, and since I was foolish and attached it with roofing nails, the large nail heads expanded the HDPE where I sunk the nails in too deep, and buckled the plastic a bit. Since it's on the bottom, who cares.

I simply tossed the extra lexan I had onto the frame after cutting to size and then flopped the floor on top

NO nail ,bolts, or adhesives for the lexan







Ok Ok I am not that crazy I later drilled and bolted the entire sandwich onto the frame !

Several have tried skinning with HDPE, including myself. Search Polymax to find out why it doesn't work.

I never thought of using it for under the trailer...good idea. Looked up polymax but I do not know what I am looking for so On my teardrop I have a nationwide tool black plastic tongue box. That thing has been hit with stones and has sat outside all year long unprotected and still looks new. I would like to find this type of material for my rock guards on the sides and on the front of my new build. While I was looking for this I came upon hdpe not knowing of its expansion problems.

bobhenry wrote:I simply tossed the extra lexan I had onto the frame after cutting to size and then flopped the floor on top

NO nail ,bolts, or adhesives for the lexan

Lexan is not HDPE. Lexan is polycarbonate, HDPE is high density polyethylene. HDPE feels slippery since it's the first cousin of Teflon. Lexan is tough plastic often used to make bullet proof windows.

<Chas>

GuitarPhotog wrote:

bobhenry wrote:I simply tossed the extra lexan I had onto the frame after cutting to size and then flopped the floor on top

NO nail ,bolts, or adhesives for the lexan

Lexan is not HDPE. Lexan is polycarbonate, HDPE is high density polyethylene. HDPE feels slippery since it's the first cousin of Teflon. Lexan is tough plastic often used to make bullet proof windows.

<Chas>

I know the difference but I had the lexan and didnt have th HDPE I was mearly trying to show how any water barrier could be added to protect the floor.

The camper that my caboose was built on had an aluminum barrier that was applied the same way. It was simply laid onto the frame and built over. OH by the way Aluminum is not HDPE either!

bobhenry wrote:

GuitarPhotog wrote:

bobhenry wrote:I simply tossed the extra lexan I had onto the frame after cutting to size and then flopped the floor on top

NO nail ,bolts, or adhesives for the lexan

Lexan is not HDPE. Lexan is polycarbonate, HDPE is high density polyethylene. HDPE feels slippery since it's the first cousin of Teflon. Lexan is tough plastic often used to make bullet proof windows.

<Chas>

I know the difference but I had the lexan and didnt have th HDPE I was mearly trying to show how any water barrier could be added to protect the floor.

The camper that my caboose was built on had an aluminum barrier that was applied the same way. It was simply laid onto the frame and built over. OH by the way Aluminum is not HDPE either!

OK, I misunderstood you intent with the post.

<Chas>