The great aluminum pop-off - or why Scotty's did not last.

[xrover]

When I picked up my '62 Scotty is was evindent some work was required on the rear corners as the aluminum sides were not being held underneath the trim in the rear corners. I spent a day reattaching using RV caulking and new stainless panhead screws. Today I jacked up the back end to take my tires off, and as I was jacking it from the center of the bumper, the sides all popped out again!
I do plan a rebuild in the winter of my Scotty, but also will be using for the remainder of this summer and have re-attached the siding (this time I took some 1" aluminum strip and used it as a support to screw down along the sides. Unsightly but functional right now.
Anyway. here's what I figure. My scotty appears to have been built using 1/2 plywood, thin layer of insulation, and then the aluminum. No ribs, no corner supports, just plywood to plywood. I do not plan on doing my rebuild this way and why am I really posting this. Has anyone rebuilt using teardrop construction technique? I am a member of the NSSO but there is not a lot fo detail on the rebuild and since many of the folks on NSSO are on here, figured I woudl post here. My plan would be to remove the aluminum, tear down (my interior is actually in very good condition), and then start by building a frame, skin that with 1/8" plywood on the exterior, styrofoam insluation between the rib, and then birch on the interior. My question is, has anyone does it this way, and if so what measurement considerations need to be made to ensure the aluminum still fits on as I want to reuse my original skin. Thanks.
Len

[Elumia]

Looks like it lasted 47 years with that method of construction, if you are going to rebuild it, how long do you plan on keeping it?

I think 1/2" walls might be how some folks constructed their teardrop.

It probably came apart because in those 47 years there was some leakage that weakened the ply where the screws were held.

Seems simplest to just recreate it as it was built so this time using modern methods to properly seal it initially and then using proper long term maintenance. Proper ventilation will discourage it rotting from the inside out from condensation.

Then it might last another 47 years!

Mark

[xrover]

Good point. I don't think I'll last 47 more years, and if I do, they certainly won' let me drive!
Thanks

[xrover]

I have updated my WWW link for some new photos of my Scotty work.
I have left off the pictures of the finger damage I did 2 weeks ago when an errant piece of metal decided to slice into my right index finger. It grazed the tendon, but did no damage. Lots of blood, and 6 stitches, and of course a nasty reminder on why we should not cut corners on safety when working with power tools.

[kennyrayandersen]

one other thing -- if the screws were screwed into the end-grain of the plywood it ain't that great. You could use a traiangular screw strip in the corners to fasten the plywood to. I second the 47 years old it has held up pretty good way of thinking. NO need to get all heavy with the construction.

[len19070]

I needed a total rebuild.



Its tough to see in the photos but I built mine with a 1 1/2" thick joist, not 3/4" by screwing them in through the sides.

I lost 3/4" interior height but I felt that it was worth it knowing that side screws would hold better than a screw down the 1/2" edge.

Then filled in between the joist with 3/4" material so as to get a good nailer for my inside ceiling layer as well as a 1 1/4" solid corner for any outside corner trim.





http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c106/ ... ?start=all

Looks like it lasted 47 years with that method of construction,

Most Scottys have lasted as long as they have not because of there construction techniques but because they were designed, built and marketed to be stored in a single car garage.

This opened the opportunity for many people to then own a trailer. It is also the innovation by John Serro that got him inducted into the RV Hall of Fame.

I had an Uncle who had one in a West Philadelphia row house that he stored in a basement garage, and there were a lot of other people in the neighborhood like him.

A lot of these trailers have spent a lot of there lives indoors.

My brother bought a 1969 Scotty that had only been outside for 7 years and it needed a total rebuild.

John Serro was a brilliant man who contributed many great ideas to the RV industry but quality wasn't one of them.


Happy Trails

Len

[kennyrayandersen]

Man! I love those Scotties