Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **molethai** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 3:35 am

I am new to the board, and so far it has been enlightening & entertaining.

I apologize if I missed this info in my scouring, But...

Has anyone looked into and/or tryed using plywood for framing?
It seems people use laminate lay-ups or metal for framing. I am particulary interested in the main curved pieces on the top of the sides. I hope my description makes sense. To my thinking it would be a lot easier to cut 3/4 ply than lay-up strips. I realize that you still need vertical supports, solid pieces would be best, I think.

as an aside, what is luan? I am guessing thin plywood.

I am hoping to begin building as soon as it thaws, in about 2 months I think.

Thanks. Mole

by **Ira** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:57 am

Yep, Mole--you missed it:

A lot of people DO use ply for the framing, but most especially at the top, like you're talkiing about, for those curves. For straight verticals, it's just easier for a lot of us to use 1 by 2s.

And yep--luan is just real thin stuff that bends nice.

by **molethai** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 7:47 am

Thanks Ira.

I will continue to look for info/plans/discussions

Mole

by **SteveH** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:14 am

Unless I totally missed the boat on this one, Luan is a type of Mahogany wood and is used making plywood.

by **madjack** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:35 am

Steve, at one time all Luan was mahogany. Now it is used to refer to any number of generic hardwood plys from 3rd world sources(ie Phillipine "mahogany")
madjack

by **SteveH** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:13 am

Jack,

I just had to check it out...copied from Capital City Lumber web site:

Luan Plywood: A cheap grade of Mahogany plywood available in 1/8" and ¼" 4x8 pieces. Perfect for Cabinet backing, or any utility purpose.

So, now we all know...at least what Capital City calls it. :lol:

by **mikeschn** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:20 am

molethai wrote:Has anyone looked into and/or tryed using plywood for framing?
Mole

I've started a plywood framed Widget...

The first thing I noticed is that it's very heavy.

Also since it's 1/32" smaller than the 3/4" insulation that I want to fit in there, I'm afraid I won't get a good bond between the framing and the skin.

That's about all I have to offer at this point in time...

Mike...

by **Chris C** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:49 am

Mike,

THAT's the picture I wanted to show him. l think that is the better solution. No joints to have to try and match perfectly. As far as the plywood being thinner, I just plan to use a more efficient insulation, (in my opinion) the foil and bubble material. It's not rigid and shouldn't pose a problem with the difference in plywood thickness.

by **Nitetimes** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:49 am

That's the way I did mine. I used 3/4" ply and removed everything I didn't need. I thought it was going to be heavy but after I got it all cut out I found it wasn't bad at all. It also makes things go a lot quicker.

I also came to the conclusion that with a little more planning I could have cut it down more and eliminated a little weight. But my plans kept changing as I built it so I wanted to make sure I had a bit of a fudge factor for my mount points.

by **molethai** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:18 pm

Thanks Mike!!

That is not what I had in my head, but a much better Idea. Weight is not a great concern. Ease of build & cost is.

Thanks all for the clarification on Luan.

Mole

by **vooodooou** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:40 pm

hi all
mike what kind of joint did you use on the widget to glue th plywood together and what kind of glue ? Thanks

by **halfdome, Danny** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 11:20 pm

mikeschn wrote:
molethai wrote:Has anyone looked into and/or tryed using plywood for framing?
Mole

I've started a plywood framed Widget...

The first thing I noticed is that it's very heavy.

Also since it's 1/32" smaller than the 3/4" insulation that I want to fit in there, I'm afraid I won't get a good bond between the framing and the skin.

That's about all I have to offer at this point in time...

Mike...

Very nice looking frame Mike. :thumbsup:

If you want to regain that 1/32" you might look for regrind plam. Regrind is left over plastic laminate that the mfrs like Formica & Wilsonart regrind the good side of plam. Cabinet shops use it for backer sheets. It glues very well on both sides.

On my tear the Popular lumber was 31/32" thick so I ran the pink foam down in my wide belt sander. That stuff melts easily as I would find almost pencil sized melted scraps at the end of a run. Danny

by **Classic Finn** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:28 am

Mike that framing looks real sweet.... but then again you knew that...

Classic Finn :thumbsup:

by **Jiminsav** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:55 pm

well gee..y'all fawn over Mike's frame and he didn't even finish his..I finished mine.

by **SteveH** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:53 am

Jim,

I'll "fawn" over yours...whatever "fawn means, I don't know, but anyway, I really like the profile of your trailer, and the roofing material also.

Now, when are you gonna put fenders on it? :lol:

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