questions related to a 4' x 8' "stick" built camper

[yeto]

Hi,

I plan to use 1x2's for the framing like a stick built home instead of 2x4's. The trailer will be 4'x8'. Would I use 1/8" or 1/4" for the skin? Also, should I use exterior plywood, interior plywood or luan for the skin (I am concerned related to allergies/health from the smell/fumes from plywood or luan).

Thanks in advance for any help,
yeto

[terryjones1]

I plan to use 1x2's for the framing like a stick built home instead of 2x4's.
The trailer will be 4'x8'. Would I use 1/8" or 1/4" for the skin?
Also, should I use exterior plywood, interior plywood or luan for the skin (I am concerned related to allergies/health from the smell/fumes from plywood or luan).

yeto

1x2 (3/4" x 1-1/2") framing is fine.
I used 3/4" x 1" framing.

You can use either 1/8" or 1/4" for the skin.
I used 1/4" inside and outside.
To keep the weight down, you might use 1/8" inside, and 1/4" outside.

If you are going to water proof, seal, and paint the plywood, then interior plywood is OK.
I used fiberglass tape and epoxy on all seams, exterior and interior, and I coated the exterior plywood with epoxy.
If you seal the interior wood, you will not get wood smell or fumes.

[linuxmanxxx]

It mostly depends on what you plan for the exterior with what you should use. 5mm luan works great for the interior as it's good and solid and light and low odor compared to normal plywoods.

If you skin your outside with something you can use luan on it as long as the skin is sealed and waterproofed in some form. For instance I use 3M fastbond 30NF neoprene contact cement to bond frp/aluminum/formica outside with a complete coat and the glue is waterproof so in effect I seal the luan and adhere the skin with a single substance saving lots of time and work over sealing the wood then putting the skin on.

There are many opinions and methods for sealing a camper and it just depends on what your end result you desire for ease of building, weight, and toxicity levels during the build.

I'm trying to get my builds down to zero oil based substances being used and keep a sealed waterproof strong cabin and it takes trials and errors and very different thoughts on materials.

[yeto]

Thank you for your replies. That really helps.

Kind regards,
yeto