Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'll thank everyone first since I'm sure these questions have been asked 1000 times before. First I'm at the magical stage of installing my aluminum sides and top. Do I need to use adhesive or do they float?If I use adhesive what is recommended? My last question is on the trim molding ... how hard is it to bend? does it deform easily? or is it no big deal just a scary unknown for me? thanks again!

Dave

Dave:
You'll likely get lots of different opinions on this. I'm building my first teardrop, and am not too much further along than you. After much reading, I glued the sides with spray adhesive (3M Super Trim Adhesive), and floated the top. Grant Whipp seems to be a big advocate of NO ADHESIVE for the top. The adhesive under the sides will likely tear free as the sides expand and contract, but the sides will be fastened by the various trim pieces.

The trim between the top and sides bends very easily, if you buy soft aluminum trim. The stuff at Home Depot isn't soft, and needs to be annealed. I used "GE Silicone II Aluminum and Metal" under the trim. It's supposed to seal well and stay pliable. It was nice stuff to work with.

You also have the choice of stainless steel screws to hold the top trim, or aluminum drive screws. I went with drive screws, and was happy with how they went in. I'll use stainless screws for other trim parts.

Other people will likely respond, who didn't do a single thing like I did. More than one way to skin a cat! Best of luck.
Chuck

Well said Chuck!!!

I used contact cement, but the bond broke free right away. I was basically just floating it under the angle.

I too used Home Depot aluminum angle, and it was some hard stuff. I really had to anneal it to get it to bend nicely, and even then it wasn't perfect.

Someone here bought some dead soft aluminum angle from The teardrop fix it shop, and it looked good. I think it was Kurt.

Mike...

Our Hunter seems to use some adhesive rather than floating as it retains a near perfect flat surface, especially helpful if you are going to polish it (no waves and such). No idea what they used.. maybe Mike Burton knows.