Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I was looking at the Camp Trailer in the Vintage plans and saw something that intrigued me. The roof of that trailer specifies 3/16th masonite. Would anyone use it now. Tempered masonite is exterior rated and that smooth side would be really nice from a finish standpoint. I have looked at it at the HD and it is plenty flexible to make the curve, and it is not too expensive.

So, what do you guys think??

Possibly, what is the weight difference from other materials???

I'm planning on useing it for my roof. I'm going to cover it with aluminum though. I've used it on many projects and like it. Especially the price.

Man that was fast It was like you guys were just hanging out waiting to answer a question.

Weight? Im not sure. Masonite seems heavier, but more flexible than luan. One of the reasons Im thinking about it is that Im having trouble finding 1/8" luan and the 1/4" luan doesnt seem as flexible as I would like.

Billy, what would u think about fairing it with bondo and painting??

Thanks

The only thing I don't like about Masonite is it's a paper product. If (when) it gets wet, it literally falls apart..............and that can be from moisture vapor, i.e. body moisture from within the cabin. Also, when bending around a tight radius...........such as the tail end of a Modernaire, it can easily break. It's a fairly brittle material. Has anyone used it with success? I know Okie Sailor used it on his teardrop, but I never heard the results of his build. Personally, I think I'll stick with two layers of 1/8" plywood with aluminum on top of that.

It’s made from sugar cane cellulous. That is why it has a sweet smell when it is cut.
The glue is water resistant but the cellulous will fall apart when it gets wet.
When the cellulous gets wet, it absorbers water like a sponge then brakes away from the glue.
Plywood is a lot stronger for the same thickness and is a lot more moisture resistant.
But if you can keep out the moisture it will work!
Unless you are building a true repo don't use it.
Chuck

I used it on the outside of mine as an underlayment. It's 1/8" and was kind of a PITA to bend on the radius up front, which is 2 feet. I didn't have the time or money last June to cover it with aluminum before I left for the ITG in Minden, NE so I used Helmsman Spar Urethane on the outside to keep the water off if it rained. It did........... I didn't have any leaks but I covered it up as best as I could. There were several times it did get rained on and never had any troubles but I was nervous just the same.

I used it once for an outside project and panted the hell out of it.
A year later the sun cracked the paint, then the water got to it and it turned to mush.
It was a shade for a temperature probe for a homemade weather station. No big deal but I made a new one, slats cut from a clear pine 2X4 and it lasted for 10 years. That looked as good as the day I rebuilt it. Never tried using it for any thing outer than patterns for projects.
Chuck

I used it as a substrate under my FRP on the top & galley. As long as its sealed no problem. I found it bent very easy, I to had a 2 ft curve on the front. I glued & screwed it starting from the front. Good luck on your build.

I had trouble finding 1/8" luan too. I went to a lumber yard and got 1/8" luan paneling. It was cheap $10 a sheet. I then sanded off the face cause glue wouldn't stick to it. It was real easy bending it around the radius. As a bonus when I did the hatch, by laminating 2 sheets together there was no worry about spring back. When I trimmed the edges the 1" scraps kept the radius even with no support.
Go to a local lumber yard. I looked at Lowes and HD and all they had was printed masonite paneling. Seems that's all they carry anymore is really cheap lumber, Even the "cabinet grade" ply looked more like A/B ply.

I have said this before in another thread, but I think it is worth saying again. My grandfather built a small barn and sheathed it with 1/4" masonite close to 50 years ago. Around the time of some of the original TDs. It was painted red (oilbased?). Repainted about 3 times. We replaced most of the siding last year because it was starting to flake a little. We replaced it with 21st century masonite. This time we used exterior laytex. I'll let you know if it lasts another 50 years.

I used masonite paneling on my ceiling because it allowed me to install the ceiling without any seams. I was able to do my ceiling with one panel and the best part was since it was paneling it was already finished.
it was easy to bend to fit the 24" front radius on the front of my Rimple.

Walter

I knew I would get lots of opinions on this. Ray, I thought I could remember the post you made about the barn, but for some reason I could not find it. I am assuming that the product you used was tempered Masonite. That is the only one that is exterior rated.

Which ever material I choose, the edges are going to be concealed partially by wood trim, the rest with bondo and then coated with several coats of paint. I am not necessarily looking to be cheap, I just am looking for the best material for my roof that will give me the finish I am looking for.

I was inspired by Len's Slumber Coach, so I am planning a woody finish with a green top. Since its going to be painted, and my free time to devote to the build is scarce, looking for things that will require the minimum finish effort without compromising on form or function. Although I have thought I might use the hammered finish paint from Rustoleum for the final coat on the roof. I used it on my wheels and liked the way it looks, and it would hide any imperfections in the roof. Hmmmmm, That may not be a bad idea.....

Tom

IndyTom

I suggest you do an experiment with masonite

Do three for four samples
One without paint or finish
Another with paint
Another coated with some resin or epoxy product

Place them where they are exposed to weather and sun
Splash some water on them every week or so. Let them go through cycles of heat and cool, wet and dry etc.

See how it holds up

It copuld work well for you. The culprit of masonite is moisture. Solve this and it might be a very cheap and stable material

Take some pictures of the experiment of course andlet us know


Dee Bee

Dee Bee,

I must have heard you thinking. I was thinking, since I am supposed to be a scientist, gee, why not apply the scientific method here and do an experiment. Besides, it will be a good excuse to buy some building materials.

Tom