Stressed skin Luan top

[EZ]

I like the idea IceeofMN had regarding bowing the Luan top just a little. I bet makeing the center of the cross members 1/2" higher in the middle would make a big difference and I think that you could get by with that using Luan, especially over a 5 1/2' radius.

Of course that brings up other issues like filling the void with insulation (Great Stuff?) and the angle at which the wall meets the side.

I decided that a 1/4" plywood - 3/4" pink foam - paneling bonded sandwhich with 1 X 4 vertical stringers would make a strong, lighweight wall. I will bond and seal the roof seams with epoxy and fiberglass tape. 1/2" ply on a 2 X 3 framefor the floor and the sides will attached to 2 X 2s run the length of the floor, offset inwards so the wall sits on the trailer.

I have also built with Luan in the past (sailboat) and the combination of stressed or sandwhiched Luan and epoxy/fiberglass is strong. Even thought about using 1/4" (6mm) Luan for the sides.

EZ

[rooster]

EZ,,,The bow with laun that you want to bow a little, what is a little? On my tear I used 1/4" laun to bend around a 22" radius. It worked fine until I had it glued and fastened down, then it stressed and cracked about 6".
I fixed the crack with gorilla glue thinking all is well. When I applied the top skin there was a slight bulge. Its hard to tell its there, but I know. I should have spent the extra money and used 1/8" laun. I'll fix the mistake after Pamplin Grove.

Jim,