KISS build (updated 3/29) with pictures!

[Nate.petty]

Hey guys! New to the forum! I've been lurking for a little while, but I need some help.
I can get 1/4 in plywood from work for free and so I've begun my "Keep It Simple Stupid" build. I'm going to put on a 4x8 harbor freight trailer.
I want to skin it in aluminum panels (which I can get from work as well from almost free) how do I attach them to the camper? And how do I seal them since they are panel?

[KCStudly]

Welcome to the forum!

I'm not familiar with tapatalk, but here are the instructions that work for me.
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=911290#p911290

If you link the image URL into your post the pic will come in at the size that you reduced it to in your gallery.
If you link the BBCode it will come in as a click-able icon.
I personally like the bigger pics, myself, and people don't have to jump around so much when trying to read thru while checking details.

Regarding the aluminum skins, most people seal the perimeter and around penetrations (doors/windows/roof vent) between ply and skin with sealant/caulk/goop and staples, allowing the field to float; and then they use RV trim molding (bedded in more sealant) screwed to the wall to roof corners. The vinyl molding snaps into the track in the trim to cover the screw heads.

Alaska Teardrop's, for one, has used an adhesive backed corner trim that goes over the screws (or rivet heads, in his case) all in one shot. http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=51991&p=956704#p956704

Some people use contact adhesive to attach the aluminum over the whole field, but the consensus is that heat from the sun will quickly expand the aluminum and break this bound, so they are relying on the perimeter method in the end anyway.

Check out some builds in the traditional "Build Journals" section of the forum. Aggie79/Tom's Silver Beatle is also a great resource for how to do aluminum skin, IMO.

[nevadatear]

Not sure about your problem with getting tapatalk to load, but once you do, i find it way easier to post pics as attachments. I find it much easier than trying to post on the full forum. Even if I am browsing on the full site, I will go to tapatalk to upload a pic, it is that much easier for me. Maybe deleting and reinstall?

[Nate.petty]

Thanks guys for your post!!

I'll try some of that. But I am on an ipad and it won't let me attach photos bigger than 215 mb?

My problem with the aluminum is that the sheets I can get are like 30x40 so I need a way to attach them together and then weatherproof them

[KCStudly]

Aggie Tom's method of lapping sheets should work for you. Read the Silver Beatle build.

[Junkboy999]

Man it is about time someone stepped up to the plate and built This KISS Teardrop. It is way overdue.







Welcome to the forums BTW. Just being silly above. Too much caffeine and sugar.

[Nate.petty]

Thanks guys for the replys and the resources. I did find out from work that I can have as many plates as I need
Here are some pictures for your enjoyment. Not much progress, but Im doing what I can.
The reason I call it the KISS build is to keep is simple, i had grand ideas of making a standie and all, but since I have never made a trailer before i think ill try just a sleeper to get a handle on it.

The FREE plywood that I can get is only 38x46. so i had to attach them together with a 1x4 to get my overall 8 ft.


I did not want to cut to much out of her, so i made a simple 24 in radius for the front top.


I also do not have a jigsaw, so i used my circular saw the best I could and then sanded some. I clamped the two side walls together so that the shapes match.






It was difficult but she was beginning to take shape.







This is where i am at as of yesterday:


and this is how she sits until I can work on her.

[Nate.petty]

Got back out there this saturday and things are coming together!! I also will have a little more time now that a class of mine has ended
But here is the work as of Yesterday 10/12/13

wife helped me move it back up to the driveway so I dont have to walk so much.. but I was able to rip down some 2x6 I had from a big skid to run some more studs across the top.

and the back

Now, I have not seen anyone do this on here, but here Goes! I saw this on a home improvement show and wanted to try it. I can get free 1/4in plywood, but its not so good to go on the roof. 1/4in is kind of hard to bend... solution???? lay your plywood flat, set the tread depth of your saw to only go through 1 layer (or depending on your plywood depth go deeper) but I only went through the 1st layer of ply.


After you set your depth all you have to do is make a bunch of cuts in your ply. you want the cuts to go on the inside of the curve. take a look.

do this multiple times, you want around 1/4in between each cut. more than in the photo.make as many cuts as you need in order to go from the flat part of the beginning curve to the end of the curve.
this will give you an end result like this:

if you need more help, or better explanation let me know!!

heres more progress:

[KCStudly]

There is a very comprehensive sticky thread on kerfing in the foamie section.

[Nate.petty]

So there is. But! Mine was on plywood not foam. Thanks though!

[Miriam C.]

Looks great to me. I cringe every time I see a 2x4 but it will work great. Kerfing works. I did the curve on the frame part of mine and filled with expanding PL glue. Had an awful smell for a couple of weeks. It survived a tornado so don't sweat it. I do advise the glue filler though..

[Nate.petty]

How does this glue filler work? What is it called? I have regular wood glue, but this is not what your talking about is it?

[Nate.petty]

It has been a long time since I was able to post last.. But I have now finished all my outside plywood work, opened the door, and opened a window spot.

[Nate.petty]

today I was able to get a good fit on the side window

open a hole for the sky light, and dry fit it into place


and finally able to set her up on the trailer to see where i needed to place my floor studs

[Nate.petty]

The rest are just pictures to get an idea of what she will look like.