Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **jamorgan3777** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:21 pm

Hello,

Can anyone direct me to a good source for edge trim and what the best method is to seal under it? Butyl tape or a certain type of caulking? I would like something I can trim flush with the edge.

My plan for exterior treatment is as follows:

1) Baltic Birch Plywood skin
2) "The Mix" to waterproof it
3) Monstaliner rolled on over the scuffed (220 grit) poly surface

Anyone have any cautions for this plan? The trim I am thinking will for sure go around the bottom of the trailer where the sidewall meets the floor. I did the "overlap" method where theoutside skin extends down to the bottom edge of the floor (where it meets the trailer frame). This seam is what I was thinking would be best covered by some L channel with caulking or butyl tape on both side (legs). I am also considering edge trim on the top and sides of the cabin, but might just do a round over and have no trim.

Any help would be appreciated.

by **dmdc411** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 8:30 pm

For trim, I'm fortunate to live near a warehouse for Bell Industries. Its been 6 years since I bought from my local RV shop. Being close, was able buy trim in 12(?)ft lengths. Heres the catalog I have from 2013

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by **KCStudly** » Fri Jul 15, 2022 3:57 pm

IIRC there have been several members here who have had trouble with using bed liner products directly over unreinforced plywood. Neither the Mix, nor bed liner have tensile strength, and the plywood will still move and shift with weather, resulting in cracks and water intrusion.

Better option to mix is to apply fiberglass weave and epoxy (over wood polyester resin would be "okay", too... but not over blue or pink foam board, the MEK hardener in polyester resin eats polystyrene foam).

Epoxy alone has the same problem as bed liner. You need the glass strands to provide tensile strength and prevent cracking.

Once you glass, if you still want the added expense and texture of bed liner, go for it!

by **tony.latham** » Fri Jul 15, 2022 6:43 pm

Anyone have any cautions for this plan?

As KC mentioned, using a bedliner over bare or primed wood (including the "mix") is quite possibly a recipe for disaster. Fiberglass/epoxy is an easy thing to do and will prevent the plywood from checking. It'll cost about $250 at the most.

Take a look here:
https://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=71357&p=1244097&hilit=+checking#p1244097