I am ready to build.

[kd5edj63]

So, I posted in the newbie forum, but perhaps I'll get better response here. I just purchased the standard, or what seems to be the pretty popular, HF 4x8 trailer. I know I want to go over the wheels for the extra 12 or so inches of overall width. I need to know what to begin with. I have seen some deigns that may not have had any weather protection. Maybe because they used walmanized lumber or something. I am not opposed to using walmanized lumber if its the right thing to do. How do I protect the bottom side of the floor frame from rotting. Is walmanized lumber enough or is it better to use standard 2x4s and use a coating of some sort. Thanks in advance. I'm excited to get started

[tony.latham]

No idea what "walmaized" lumber is.

There's a thread or two on just about every teardrop build issue. Here's one on sealing the floor: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=45873

[DeltaGary]

I would use spray on rubberized undercoat or paint on roofing tar to protect the underside. I am just getting started myself. Just bought a 5x8 utility trailer with 15 inch wheels as my foundation. Have a couple plans to work from. Good luck on your build.

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[Bigwoods]

Let the fun begin! I really enjoyed building mine. I used a HF trailer, but decided to widen it. It worked very well. I based mine on Mike Generic BenRoy plans. They worked very well. Have fun and try to think about something else once in a while...... That's hard to do.

[doug hodder]

I think you mean "wolmanized" lumber. Here's a link to some of it's properties and questions.

http://www.wolmanizedwood.com/Products/ ... q.htm#Safe

I've used it for exterior items, IE yard stuff, however, typically it is really wet and can actually have liquid pour out of holes when you shoot a screw into it depending on how "fresh" it is. If it were me, I'd go for a kiln dried material as it's much more stable from the get go. As far as an environmental issue, read the info and make your own decision on it. Glues could be a challenge because of the moisture content. It's your build however. I don't use a "tar" type undercoat...for me, a good oil based paint seems to work fine. I had a '49 Kit with a raw ply bottom and it was in great shape after 35 years, but that was in a dry environment. Now I'm just a painter on the bottom. Welcome aboard, now just jump in and create your camper. Doug

[Kody]

G'day kd5
Welcome aboard, great to see a newbie start to build his own. Give all the treated timer a miss, it's bad news to work with and it requires special fasteners to hold it together. It's also a severe health hazard when you cut and machine the stuff. Definitely use kiln dried timber, it is so much better and will glue up with a minimum of fuss. I used a water based tar coating to paint the underside of my floor and all exposed areas underneath. The tar stuff works exceptional well and the water clean up is a blessing. Once the stuff has dried, nothing will remove it other than mineral turpentine or perhaps petrol, (gas). Two thick coats and it's all done forever. It is exciting once you start building, there are not enough hours in the day to build enough of the project. I finished building my trailer frame from the ground up and now I am working on the two sides. After lots of thought and drawing pages of plans on my computer, I finally decided to make the walls by applying two ply sheets over a timber frame with foam insulation in between the ply panels. There are no hard and fast rules, the final choice and method of construction is up to you. There is only one rule that you simply must obey, ie, have fun and enjoy your time in building your pride and joy. Don't hesitate to ask questions on the forum no matter how simple or silly they may sound. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
Enjoy.

Kody

[kd5edj63]

Thanks for the replies guys. Kiln dried it is. I think I might go with liguid nails as a glue. I think it will hold up to dampness better than standard wood glue. I'll look for the water based coating. Thanks a bunch

[kd5edj63]

Attempting an image upload

[kd5edj63]

I guess the pic came out a bit big
I made some good progress today. The 4x9 platform is ready. Its bolted to the frame via 8 carrage bolts and is 2 sheets of half inch ply (not birch) with a 2x4 structure in between. I used Henrys ruberized white roof coating to protect from weather. Top and bottom. So tommorow will be deaming up "floor plans " for the cabin. Im stoked to build this project
Its currently on jack stands since I just got done sealing the frame to the wood where the wood and frame make contact. I dont want moisture living in between the frame and wood floor.
I used a seven eighths inch wood boring bit to "hollow out" the floor area where the trailer bolts would otherwize keep the wood floor from sitting flat and flush on the trailer. Right before I placed the floor, I filled the voids with "liquid nails" to keep water out of thos voids.