Masonite

[Craig McCormick]

My 1938 Travelo was skinned in masonite and coated in exterior paint.

AZCRAIG

[loaderman]

Got pics? of the trailer

I been wondering about cardboard and paper mache as well.


I got to much time

[aggie79]

Since paper is made from the same basic material as wood , might it be reasonable to say paper mache or Masonite is as alien to a tree as say plywood ... So whether you cover your trailer with Masonite , plywood or the morning news, all still need to be waterproofed ... given the same density , all should perform much the same ...

Makes me think of paper mache fenders ???

This shows the sequence of wheelwells "being made of successive layers of paper impregnated with a hardening solution. The finished wells are covered with an asphaltic preservative paint."

[GPW]

Guessing that’s Pre-Fiberglass... But it worked ...
Seems the RV industry has us all brainwashed about using fiberglass or aluminum , although they haven’t been able to make one that last as long as these old Teardrops , made from “inferior” materials ...

[angib]

Tom, thanks for that link - those are really fascinating photos (and descriptions).

I see they say:

The picture shows the close bond between successive layers of paper smoothed on over a forging mold. The secret of the final hardness and the strength of the material lies in the formula of the solution with which the paper is impregnated. Round corners of the trailer toes, formerly made of metal, are also made by this process

And if "the solution with which the paper is impregnated" (nice to see the correct use of prepositions!) were some sort of urea-formaldehyde, I bet that paper-impregnated wheelwell would be fine today.

[len19070]

Here's my early 40's built Jim Dandy, masonite skin and all. It's held up rather well for 60 or 70 years.

Hey Rob.

Somebody is selling Plans for YOUR Trailer on ebay!

Check out the Photos.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/31-Vintage-Plan ... 27ca2517ce

Happy Trails

Len

[Todah Tear]

And here's a link to a masonite trailer nearly 80 years old

http://www.thewallacecollection.net/htm ... _blow.html

Masonite has been around since 1924. It was a wonder product when invented, made much better when they learned how to temper it.

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

I made a candy dish out of paper mache' and it lasted many, many years. It was never submerged in water, but it was washed out. I have other art pieces created out of paper mache' and they are still in great shape and it's been over 20 years.

Todah

[robfisher]

It's pretty hard for me to believe this guy has plans for my trailer. In fact, IF I did believe it I'd order his disc.

[wagondude]

It's pretty hard for me to believe this guy has plans for my trailer. In fact, IF I did believe it I'd order his disc.

I find it even more interesting that his plans "might" include plans for the Apache hard sided pop up trailer. My parents had one of those. Nice trailers.