Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Does anyone know of someone who tried vinyl siding (the kind that goes on the outside of houses)? Or do you know of any reason it can't be used? Seems as if it would be lightweight and waterproof with no future maintenance. I've never seen a picture of one that has vinyl siding, so maybe there's something wrong with it that I can't think of.

I don't think it would hold up on the highway. My neighbors vinyl siding blew off in a storm last year.

Too many joints IMHO to ever be water tight in rain while driving.

Chase-

I didn't use vinyl, BUT I did use CEDAR siding.

Glued & nailed it has held up well.

Check out my gallery PICS...

Cheers,

Coop

Yes, coop! I had seen pictures of yours and wondered what you used. The cedar isn't heavy?

Chase-

I had the cedar siding specially milled for my application.

Earl Rouck @ Rouck's Sawmill up in BC did me good! (check links, above then sources of supply).

1/2" Thick tapered to 1/8" Bevel Siding 4" wide.

Not too heavy, BUT heavier than the typical construction.

My trailer is super insulated for winter camping here in the NE...

Cheers,

Coop

Chase,
You could probably get away with siding if:
Make a wood understructure
completely seal the tear in epoxy
glue it down, then
use lots and lots of screws then use some more.
and find some kind of sealer for the joints.

Seems like a lot of trouble, but if you like it just keep the wind and rain out, like the rest of us. There are older travel trailers with more than one piece of alum. and lots of screws. Don't know how the vinyl will hold up with a screw though, might tear out.

Miriam

Just use plenty of under it and you'll be fine.

... make sure your seams are like conv. top. ( start at the back and work your way to the front. That way the last/top piece will be at the front, and the wind cant get under it to pull it off. )

Chase-

The one thing I struggled with was the edge molding.

Highly important NOT to let the air get behind the siding OR it will blow off, no matter how many nails, screws or glue you use.

I ended up using "fender flaring" from Pacer (again links, SOS). I bought a roll DIRECT from them, NO seams and cheaper in bulk.

I capped that off with Aluminum carpet threshold trim across the top.

Cheers,

Coop

ChaseLounge wrote::thinking: Does anyone know of someone who tried vinyl siding (the kind that goes on the outside of houses)? Or do you know of any reason it can't be used? Seems as if it would be lightweight and waterproof with no future maintenance. I've never seen a picture of one that has vinyl siding, so maybe there's something wrong with it that I can't think of.

I don't think it will hold up too good .I work for a mobile company and some of the homes have some missing by the time they reach us then I have to repair it. peg

If you were going to do this, I would definetly go with an insulated vinyl siding. I would butter on glue over the entire back of each siding piece, probably PL polyurethane glue or a heavy coat of Gorilla Glue.

Why are you interested in the vinyl siding? Never been done? Easy (maybe)? Cool looking? Unless you're very fond of the look I would suggest something else. If you really want the look, we can probably come up with an attachment method to ensure that the stuff stays on the trailer. Some of the better vinyl siding supposedly can withstant 160mph winds. Granted, thats probably perpendicular to the face, but its a start.