Is 1/4" too thin?

[OCD]

I'm trying to keep the weight down on my 6'x9' build and was wondering if 1/4" birch plywood with 'woody' support framing on the outside would be strong enough for the side walls alone? I have loads of 1" steel square tube, so could build a box structure inside the wood if I needed to, which is how my current utility trailer is constructed. Similar to this pic I was hoping the extra framing would give enough side wall support.

[Juneaudave]

That is one of my favorite all time trailers!!! I overbuilt...but think that might work with the bulkheads in place. It may be as much a constrctability issue as stength issue. I have to defer to others though.

[Shadow Catcher]

My usual rant, you are building an airplane not a tank. Our tear has 1/8" Filon outer shell and 1X1.5X.060 aluminum frame with about an 1/8" inner wall there is a thin sheet of plywood under the roof and I was walking on it last week removing the solar panel and resealing the roof vent.

[Lgboro]

Mine is 1/8 inch cedar strip before sanding and is super strong. 1 1/2 inch cedar framing with blue insulation and no exterior wood just floated aluminum. If built as a sandwich I'm not sure you could build thin enough to be weak. Just the glued insulation is really strong inside a minimal frame. I did use biscuits and dowel pins to add strength to my frame as well as opposing grains on the T style wood members on all frame parts.

[len19070]

One of my Favorites too!



Its built with 1/2" sides.

Happy Trails

Len

[chartle]

I'm trying to keep the weight down on my 6'x9' build and was wondering if 1/4" birch plywood with 'woody' support framing on the outside would be strong enough for the side walls alone?

So I'm assuming no luggage rack. If you are adding a LR I could see issues.

[len19070]

I'm trying to keep the weight down on my 6'x9' build and was wondering if 1/4" birch plywood with 'woody' support framing on the outside would be strong enough for the side walls alone?

So I'm assuming no luggage rack. If you are adding a LR I could see issues.

Never had any issues with the Luggage Rack....or "LR" as some with limited keyboards call it.....Maybe in Your Experience...you did!

A lot of this is all about looks.

Happy Trails

Len

[chartle]

Just thinking of the extra weight on the structure. It's one thing just sitting still but thinking about hitting bumps and the forces going around curves.

[Miriam C.]

I built mine with 3/8" and 1x2's inside framing. The inside was 1/8" as was the roof...Went through a tornado and only crunched where it hit the deck...We cut the top off to haul stuff.

[OCD]

Thanks for the replies. 1/4" it is then! I really like that style of woody construction, plus it should make covering the seam between the plywood sides easy. Any suggestion on a cost effective wood for the side trim and spars? I was pricing wood at the local Winsor Plywood (store) and was quoted $3-4 lineal foot. What works best for these items but is a bit more affordable? As it's intended to be a summer only camper I haven't been intending on insulation or interior skins, hoping to save a bit of weight where I can as we only have a 2.3 litre tow vehicle.