Starting my build

[dotsun]

Well my build has been underway for a whopping 3 days now. I've bought and mostly prepped a trailer. Tonight I purchased a lot of the wood I'll need, and tomorrow I pick up some used camper windows and a roof vent. I see lots of running to Ace and HD for stuff I'll be needing that I won't realize until I get to that point. Wish me luck and any pointers for a total TD newb would be appreciated.

Dave

[bc toys]

Dave you might want to sit down and make a list of things you might need before you start all that running to h/d like screws glue wire hinges locks and latches Oh and by the way welcome to this great site of info hope to see you on the camping trails

[Oldragbaggers]

Welcome Dave and good luck with your build. Ditto on the HD runs. I'm such a regular that they call to check on me if I don't show up for a couple of days.

Be sure to start a build journal and post lots of pictures!!

[dotsun]

Thanks for the welcome. I have started a build thread but it's on the offroad club forum I run. I may duplicate it here if I ever get caught up. Quick question: I'm doing a woody teardrop and was wondering what I use to attach the outer luan skin to the slats on the roof? I plan on using a resin to seal it then some type of paint for a top coat.

[Oldragbaggers]

I used Loctite PL Premium for the adhesive. If you are building woody (top too?) you will need another method than the one I used to clamp it down though. I stapled the crap out of mine because I knew I was going to be fiberglassing it and painting it.

[dotsun]

I used Loctite PL Premium for the adhesive. If you are building woody (top too?) you will need another method than the one I used to clamp it down though. I stapled the crap out of mine because I knew I was going to be fiberglassing it and painting it.

I was planning on using some type of epoxy on the whole trailer and then paint it, so I guess when I say woody I mean it's not covered in anything else like aluminum. Sorry, my bad on the terminology.

[suckerpunched]

I built a 4x8 woody and used 1/8 inch birch ply for the roof, inside and out. It is glued to the spars and stapled to the 3/4 inch sides. Used a tie down strap to hold it in place till the glue dried. I left mine natural birch because I liked the grain pattern, but sealed it in cpes and several coats of poly varnish. The edge trim covers the staples.
Welcome to the forum.....

[dotsun]

I built a 4x8 woody and used 1/8 inch birch ply for the roof, inside and out. It is glued to the spars and stapled to the 3/4 inch sides. Used a tie down strap to hold it in place till the glue dried. I left mine natural birch because I liked the grain pattern, but sealed it in cpes and several coats of poly varnish. The edge trim covers the staples.
Welcome to the forum.....

Thanks for the welcome, how much cpes did it take? I'm considering just using polyester resin then exterior paint for cost savings,

[Forrest747]

I have done both CPES and Aeromarine epoxy. lets talk cost for CPES you are looking at about 120$ for a gallon. For AeroMarine 300/21 (1 1/2 Gallon Kit) - Total yield of 1.5 gallons epoxy. looking at 91 plus shipping. for an extra 10 dollars you get meter pumps so worth it. There is also West Epoxy for 1.25 gallon your looking at 150$.
I used teh CPES and Aero and i was happy with both. i ran out of CPES and bought the aero to finish it and when i do this again i am going with the aeromarine. Becky (Oldragbaggers) uses West and she is happy with it.

[dotsun]

Awesome, I'll check that out.

[rmclarke]

Welcome Dave....I built a small boat and used System3 marine epoxy on that.....good stuff, kinda spendy
Like, Forrest, I use Aeromarine on my trailer build....more than happy with that stuff too and it was considerably cheaper. I did two complete coats of the Aeromarine epoxy (even under the floor), then two coats of an oil-base primer, then two top coats of Lowe's Valspar oil-base deck and porch paint.

Richard

[dotsun]

Welcome Dave....I built a small boat and used System3 marine epoxy on that.....good stuff, kinda spendy
Like, Forrest, I use Aeromarine on my trailer build....more than happy with that stuff too and it was considerably cheaper. I did two complete coats of the Aeromarine epoxy (even under the floor), then two coats of an oil-base primer, then two top coats of Lowe's Valspar oil-base deck and porch paint.

Richard

That's cool, anyone locally carry the Aeromarine epoxy? I'd like to pick some up in the next couple of days.

I think I screwed up, too. I put my luan roof inside of the side walls instead of screwing them to the top of the sidewalls. Yes I'm a moron. lol My intentions are to epoxy that edge then primer and paint it.

Here's a link to my build's blog post: http://dotsundude.blogspot.com/

[dotsun]

Well I ordered the aeromarine epoxy, fan-tastic roof vent, and plastic hinge for the hatch. I need that epoxy quicker but I guess I'll have to wait. Oh well, in the meantime I'll build the hatch and the door.