My teardrop trailer construction and design presentation
Here is a powerpoint presentation explaining the design and construction of my treardrop trailer. PLease join my blog to receive information about future project and share it on facebook.
Fascinating! Do you mind if I ask for more information on how you did the fiberglass walls? And the roof? It looks very nice, and I was considering starting a similar project recently. I can see how the reduced weight could make a big difference!
Of course, you can ask as many questions as you want. I have cut out the wall shape in an insulation foam sheet. Then, I have applied fiberglass fabric (10oz) soaked with epoxy resin. On one side first, then on the other after it hardened. I added a wooden frame to screw the door which has been hold in place by the fiber glass layer. It make a really rigid wall weighting a few pounds. I was impress by the stifness of these walls, it was beyond my expectations.
Some way I lost the first post. My question was about fiberglassing the foam board. I've always had to coat the foam in at least a latex paint or the reson burns or melts the foam. The foam we have is 2inch white board like the type when cracked its pressed of the little white balls. Would this be a probly in making walls for our small camper? It'll be pulled by an old CJ5 Jeep with a 4cyl engine. So liteness matters. Also like the way you're going outside the norm to make things better. Hope to hear a reply soon
Hi, You don't have to paint the foam if you use epoxy resin. Polyester resin, the one who smell toxic, will melt the polystyrene foam. Epoxy is more expensive but also more pleasant to work with cause it doesn't smell anything. I have used pink foam panel because they are more dense and strong then white panels like the one you're talking about.
Hi Jean-Rene, Just starting our teardrop on the frame of an old Coleman pop-up. The roof interest me. How thick is it and how large of a panel can you get?
Hi Carlton, Thanks for your question. I have used 1/4 inches (6mm) panels of UHMW plastic for the roof. But, 3/16 inches thick would probably be strong enough. I have bought 2 sheets of 5 by 10 feets but only used half of the second one. These sheets can also be bought in 4 feet wide and they come in white color most of the time. You can't paint this kind of plastic because the paint won't adhere on the surface.
Hi, I have used a jigsaw then I sanded the edge with an angle grinder equiped with a sand paper. It made a mess of pink dust. Do it outside or you'll find pink stuff for the next 6 months in your house.
Are the walls strong enough to hang anything? I really like the idea of using the fiberglass and foam walls, but I would also like to out in cabinets like I have seen in the other teardrop designs.
Fascinating! Do you mind if I ask for more information on how you did the fiberglass walls? And the roof? It looks very nice, and I was considering starting a similar project recently. I can see how the reduced weight could make a big difference!
ReplyDeleteOf course, you can ask as many questions as you want. I have cut out the wall shape in an insulation foam sheet. Then, I have applied fiberglass fabric (10oz) soaked with epoxy resin. On one side first, then on the other after it hardened. I added a wooden frame to screw the door which has been hold in place by the fiber glass layer. It make a really rigid wall weighting a few pounds. I was impress by the stifness of these walls, it was beyond my expectations.
DeleteSome way I lost the first post. My question was about fiberglassing the foam board. I've always had to coat the foam in at least a latex paint or the reson burns or melts the foam. The foam we have is 2inch white board like the type when cracked its pressed of the little white balls. Would this be a probly in making walls for our small camper? It'll be pulled by an old CJ5 Jeep with a 4cyl engine. So liteness matters. Also like the way you're going outside the norm to make things better. Hope to hear a reply soon
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to paint the foam if you use epoxy resin. Polyester resin, the one who smell toxic, will melt the polystyrene foam. Epoxy is more expensive but also more pleasant to work with cause it doesn't smell anything. I have used pink foam panel because they are more dense and strong then white panels like the one you're talking about.
I hope these infos will help you.
Regards,
Jean-René Rodrigue
http://www.teardroptrailerkit.com/
Hi Jean-Rene,
ReplyDeleteJust starting our teardrop on the frame of an old Coleman pop-up. The roof interest me. How thick is it and how large of a panel can you get?
Hi Carlton,
DeleteThanks for your question. I have used 1/4 inches (6mm) panels of UHMW plastic for the roof. But, 3/16 inches thick would probably be strong enough. I have bought 2 sheets of 5 by 10 feets but only used half of the second one. These sheets can also be bought in 4 feet wide and they come in white color most of the time. You can't paint this kind of plastic because the paint won't adhere on the surface.
How do you cut the pink board?
ReplyDeleteRandall Garnett
Hi,
DeleteI have used a jigsaw then I sanded the edge with an angle grinder equiped with a sand paper. It made a mess of pink dust. Do it outside or you'll find pink stuff for the next 6 months in your house.
Jean-René Rodrigue
Are the walls strong enough to hang anything? I really like the idea of using the fiberglass and foam walls, but I would also like to out in cabinets like I have seen in the other teardrop designs.
ReplyDelete