Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Deryk the Pirate** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:03 am

Hello Folks!

Well Im happy with the way my build is going, she is starting to take shape nicely.

Ive been thinking about how to seal the roof to keep it water tight. I would love to get rolls of copper and follow that route but its way out of my price range lol.

I saw this post from last summer http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=38168

Well Ive seen something like this http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... ogId=10053 vinyl coated in a 24" by 50' length around 80 dollars.

Im probably going to get it from a roofing place they have more choices in colours and texture. I think Im going with an off white for keeping it cooler inside. I thought I remember reading somewhere about some kind of screws with a gasket on them to help keep water out. Any thoughts? Any advice on instalation?

I also thought of putting this down between the toungue and groove wood and the aluminum
http://www.homedepot.com/Reflectix/h_d1 ... ogId=10053
Hopeing to reflect back the sunlight and add a little extra insulation. The paulownia wood is said to give good insulation qualities but a little extra cant hurt.

thanks
deryk

by **GuitarPhotog** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:12 am

That Reflectix insulation is soft like bubble pack. I don't see how you will attach aluminum over it.

I bought some Reflectix to use on the inside of my Tin Tent, but it's too thin for my needs.

<Chas>

by **Deryk the Pirate** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:17 am

I was figureing to screw through it into the 1" tongue and groove wood below it.

by **GuitarPhotog** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:09 am

The insulation is "squishy" so I think you need to try it before committing to it. You can get a minimum quantity of Reflectix for about $15 at Lowe's and give it a try.

I just don't think you're going to like it.

<Chas>

by **fromeo** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:16 am

I know it wouldn't be anywhere near "period" but how about a piece of rubber? You have a fairly small roof and could probably score a scrap for free (or a 6 pack trade) if you know any commerical roofing dudes.

I think Steve's vardo had a white roof and it looked good... just a thought.

- Frank

by **jtsarby** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:39 pm

I am thinking of doing the same thing. Hopefully it will turn out ok.

by **Blotto Bros** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:43 pm

I am also building a "Vardo" and have just purchased a piece of epdm rubber to do the roof. I was cleaning the nasty pond in my yard and it hit me....pond liner is 45ML EPDM rubber with added UV stabilization! Went to the local pond store and scored 10 x 12 piece for $60..or 50 cents a foot. I think your build is 5x10 so for less than $30 you have a great roof. I purchased Henry roofing adhesive at big orange depot for $17. The helpfull elderly fellow in the roofing isle stated that his Lions club had done the exact same thing to their concesion trailer 8+ years ago and reports NO LEAKS EVER. He also stated trailer lives outside 365 days a year.
:thumbsup:

By the way..your build makes me want to work harder and hope the results are half as nice!!

by **Blotto Bros** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:58 pm

Now I am thinking...I wonder if you can spray paint EPDM? I realize it will crack when the rubber flexes...but it might look kind of cool even with the patina. I have some hammered copper paint and I will give it a try on a scrap of the EPDM. Perhaps if I scuff up the surface before painting it may stick better.
:thinking:

So I just called a friend and he states he has used Krylon FUSION spray paint on rubber with good results. He also stated that the cheap spray paint NOT meant for rubber/plastic will never dry they rub or flake right off.

by **chorizon** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:29 pm

Yeah, copper is pricey...
...even for me and my fellow utilikilt owners.

Applying aluminum is easy, then paint whatever color/patina/pickling you want over it...
Blotto, your avatar is freaking me out... :thinking:

by **Deryk the Pirate** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:06 pm

Thank you Blotto, and Im really looking forward to your build. If 1 day I get a job (sigh), next year when I can afford a bigger vehicle Ive got plans of a standup vardo... so Im real curious as to what your planning.

And Thanks Blotto, I was about to ask what would you use to glue the EPDM down with... and the HD price look's good to me. I do want to check with some local roofing companies to see if they have any "scrap"(thanks Fromeo)

hmmm spray painting it... wonder if anyone has done that here

by **GPW** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:33 am

How expensive is copper anyway ??? Really ... It doesn't have to be that thick huh... like a Bar top ... Probably outlast you and your grandkids... On a small roof it may be a logical consideration .. :roll:

Sure would look Cool as it ages ...

by **chorizon** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 12:07 pm

GPW we spent $7.88/ lb. on the last batch of copper plate we boughtback in November.

A 4 X 10 X .032" sheet would be around $470 at that price...yikes!

Unfortunately around here it would be stripped off the trailer in two seconds if you didn't keep your eyes on it.

Deryk I remember a discussion where someone did have success painting EPDM with the fusion paint Blotto was talking about. I'll try findin a linky here in a little while.
Nice new avatar, Blotto, that clown was giving me the heebee-geebees! :thumbsup:

by **GPW** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 12:47 pm

Drat, I forgot about the "copper Miners" ...

by **Deryk the Pirate** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:15 pm

heh and I have a friend who would probably try scrapping it lol.

So I picked up a piece of EPDM today for $30 some dollars. Need to pick up the adhesive tonight. Headin down tomorrow after a job interview to work on the Vardo.

by **Deryk the Pirate** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:36 pm

and depending how well the EPDM is, I need to "re-glass" my pilot house roof on my boat... wonder how well it would work over fiberglass?

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Dreaming of Copper, probably settling for vinyl coated alumi

Dreaming of Copper, probably settling for vinyl coated alumi

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