Thanks for the replies.
As is obvious, I'm still figuring things out.
I'm waffling between aluminum skin over the exterior ply (with interior finishing undecided), versus glassing the whole thing - which I've never really done before, unless you count 'battlefield expedient repairs' on composite aircraft cowlings. (... I know I don't)
'Glass could provide a good finish and great appearance if I end up with pretty color and grain in the exterior ply. But it could also be a good base to paint.
...And that's something that I've had in mind for several years. Either one could be painted. Aluminum would be easier to skin, I believe. But 'glass should have better longevity.
Aguyfromohio wrote:Yup. That's a fair summary of my opinion.
While the weight savings are real, they are small. Maybe a hundred pounds or so for the whole trailer.
Maybe I'm suffering from the illusion that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence -I've never built one with a stick frame.
I imagine that it allows more ability to change the plan as the build goes along - hey lets put another outlet over here, and let's move that reading light down...
And I imagine it's easier to wire up the completed frame before the skins go on.
In my mind, a hundred pounds could be argued either way: Insignificant, when the labor is considered. Or quite significant, when weight is the higher priority.
I have no idea where this trailer will end up, but I'm targeting 1,000 lbs. Trimming 10% of that - or dropping 100 lbs to get to that - would be, in my mind, quite significant.
I'm also still unsure about framing. You may not have noticed, but I did not specify what the structural core of my walls would be ... because I haven't figured that out, yet.
If I do go with a 1" core, plywood is feasible but expensive.
Otherwise, it's stick-framing time.
I thought I had tracked down a supply of 3/4" XPS today via a local classified ad. "It's the blue or pink foam board insulation, not the crumbly white stuff, right?"
Construction guy: "Yes, sir. It's the pink Corning stuff. We've got about six units of three-quarter-inch to get rid of."
I showed up and was confused until I had the guy I had talked to walk the yard with me.
They had about
thirty units of EPS (1/2" to 2") and a single unit of TWO inch XPS left over from a commercial construction job; no 3/4".
For the condition, price they were asking, and distance I would have to haul it home, it wasn't worth my time to load any EPS (or the XPS to cut it down).
If I can find a source for 3/4", I think I'll go that route.
Even with the 20% loss of R-value, it just seems easier to go 3/4" core.
But, right now... I'm still looking.
I do appreciate the hot wire cutter suggestion from Tom&Shelly, but don't want to commit to that yet.
tony.latham wrote:No one is really arguing with the method, just suggesting that it'll take more time than I anticipate - and may not be worth it - correct?
As long as you are building your walls with a ledge for the ceiling and cutting in dados for the bulkheads, the extra time with sandwiched walls is well worth it.
T
Yep, that's the plan.
I've looked at many construction methods. I like the dado bulkhead slots and roof ledge the best for those joints.