I keep reading about overbuilding your first teardrop... I am definitely going to be guilty of this!
I am just about to start the sandwich method of wooden construction with 3/4" foam inside. So I am trying to decide the materials and place an order this week.
I have access to 5X10ft Okoume from a nearby boat shop. It is marine ply with waterproof glue. But overall, it is considerably more expensive than baltic birch (5X5ft). (thickness 3/4")
The 3/4" Baltic Birch does not use waterproof glue and would need to be scarfed together to form the 5X10ft panel.
I am not familiar with fibreglassing over the wood - so is the fibreglass sufficient to alleviate any concerns about the necessity of choosing Okoume over Baltic Birch? Is it also a combined method of urethane first to keep out water moisture?
In order to lessen the high cost I could construct the sandwich using 3/4" BB core and okoume for the two outside panels?
I am not sure how durable the Okoume would be. Would 1/8 be sufficient for inside and outer panels?
I do like the idea of a full 5X10 board for the outer panels. Actually I wonder why not even use a stud framing method instead of a 3/4" skeleton core?
I overbuilt the trailer frame - it is 5X9ft - 2X3X1/8 steel tube - laid out with roughly 16-20" centres. So I regard this as a good enough foundation to lay 3/4" BB directly on top - maybe with a barrier between the wood and steel?? And if I can figure out what to sandwich to the underside of the steel frame, I am considering insulating between the steel members (underneath the floor). Ideas?? Is it even a normal thought to consider spraying insulation into the 2X3 members?
So many questions. Thanks in advance - this is an awesome community!! And I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere. I'm sure it has, but I did search first.
Thanks very much,
Glen