Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hey Gang,

Looking over a few forum albums and saw a "story bought" TD in the making. It looked like they used maybe 3/4" for walls with no insulation except for the roof and I assume the floor.

I think just about everyone is in agreement to insulating the floor and roof, but what about the walls? The 3/4" ply walls sounds really good to me until I try and pick up a 3/4" sheet.

So, what is the collective wisdom on walls here. Maybe 1/2" ply only or go with the 1/4" sandwich with the foam middle. AND WHY????

Remember camping in Iowa with a group and a couple of the gang slept in the back of the truck with a fiberglass top. Next morning it reminded me of a rain forest without the trees.

TIA to all who respond,

Eagle

If you have 1/2" ply walls only, how did you do the doors? It would seem to me that 1/2" ply door would be less than adequate.

Hmmm... maybe answering my own question here.

Eagle

I've built several ways now...

I did a 1/2" plywood, foam insulation, and 1/4" skin... It was okay.

I did a solid 3/4" wall. It was heavy.

I did a 1/4" wall, with 1x studs in it. It's the lightest, most affordable wall so far, and the straightest too.

The wall that Steve is going to build will be 1/4" wall with 1x studs in it, and 3/4" foam glued to the inside with titebond for extra strength.

Mike...

mikeschn wrote:
I did a 1/4" wall, with 1x studs in it. It's the lightest, most affordable wall so far, and the straightest too.

Which of your creations was built like that? Can you point me towards pics? I'm sure you have some of it somewhere no matter what it is

I have 1/4" exterior, 3/4" studs, 1/8" interior (high R insulation).... I pre-built the wall systems on work table. When I lifted one end (104" long), there was no noticeable sag from end to end... very strong and I could lift the wall by myself.

arnereil wrote:I have 1/4" exterior, 3/4" studs, 1/8" interior (high R insulation).... I pre-built the wall systems on work table. When I lifted one end (104" long), there was no noticeable sag from end to end... very strong and I could lift the wall by myself.

That is exactly what I want to do. I am having a problem finding 1/8 ply at my home mega stores though. Did you glue the insulation to both faces? I want to Vacuum bag the wall panels but I need the inside 1/8 ply first. I may play with smaller pieces first, maybe he inside cabinets.

I live near Hartford, CT, and had to make 5 calls before I found a lumber yard, cabinet maker supplier who had 1/8". I bought 11 sheets for inside and doubled up on the outside curve.... It takes some ropes, braces, and muscle to get the job done, but it works well....

Don't give up. The big boxes don't seem to carry it. Another supplier said they could order it, but I did find it about 12 miles away.

I used 1/2" plywood outside wall with 1 1/2" stiffners and 1/4"interior wall with 1 1/2" insulation in the walls, doors and the floor. In the roof I used r-19 fiberglass isulation I had left over from job I had laying around. Let me tell you it is dead quiet in there. No condensation problems in the mourning and with a/c very comfortable in the Florida sunshine. Other than the space lost because of the additional wall thickness. I would do it again on the next one. I wish I could post a picture, but, don't have the ability at the moment

Woody

I have 3/4" walls - 4x10 sheets on sale for less than 4x8 1/2"
The roof is 1/4".
The floor is 1 1/4" - 4x10 sheet on sale for less than 4x8 3/4"
There is no insulation.
I have to open the windows to keep it from getting too hot at night, and to stop condensation.
We have thick blankets, but that's more because my wife is cold when it's 70 degrees.
I have tent camped in freezing conditions - no insulation - and relied upon the sleeping bag, usually by morning the bag is open and I'm trying to cool off.

I saw where someone calculated how much heat the average person puts out per hour and determined that the temperature in an average teardrop would be around 65 degrees within one hour, even if the walls, ceiling and floor were 1/8" plywood.

nater104 wrote:

mikeschn wrote:
I did a 1/4" wall, with 1x studs in it. It's the lightest, most affordable wall so far, and the straightest too.

Which of your creations was built like that? Can you point me towards pics? I'm sure you have some of it somewhere no matter what it is

That's the squared weekender...

I guess I haven't collected all the photos on a page yet... but here's what it looks like...





Mike...