Offroad Teardrop - SawTooth XL
- Thread starter stomperxj
- Start date
Maximus Ram
Expedition Leader
Looks like it's coming along. I like the shape. Should tow nice.
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
I have some questions for you, because you're doing such a nice job here. I'm going to be incorporating some wood into my trailer. I have a Maggiolina tent on top of the trailer that will be where my wife and I sleep. The kids will have a space in the body of the tent. There will be a side panel on on the side of the trailer made out of steel that will lift, and get propped up. This will give us a "porch" before enterring the Mag.
Now, most of the trailer is steel, but the kids area will be finished inside with plywood. After lifting up the steel overdoor, it will reveal a wooden exterior wall for the kids space. The wall will have a hatch, and a window in it. The wooden wall will be protected by the steel panel anytime we're travelling, and I'm hoping it will keep the weather off it.
What type of plywood should I be using? Can I use a furniture grade plywood with a nice finished surface? My father thinks this type of plywood can't hold up when it will be outside. The glue will let go, etc.
Are you planning on using RV windows? I was wondering if I could do something out of clear acrylic. Since it's a wooden wall, I could probably save some money by building something up from scratch. But, I need them to open for ventilation.
Thoughts?
Now, most of the trailer is steel, but the kids area will be finished inside with plywood. After lifting up the steel overdoor, it will reveal a wooden exterior wall for the kids space. The wall will have a hatch, and a window in it. The wooden wall will be protected by the steel panel anytime we're travelling, and I'm hoping it will keep the weather off it.
What type of plywood should I be using? Can I use a furniture grade plywood with a nice finished surface? My father thinks this type of plywood can't hold up when it will be outside. The glue will let go, etc.
Are you planning on using RV windows? I was wondering if I could do something out of clear acrylic. Since it's a wooden wall, I could probably save some money by building something up from scratch. But, I need them to open for ventilation.
Thoughts?
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Yeah, I've spent so much time researching so many things, I was hoping somebody would be so kind as to give me the Cliff's Notes on wood. 
So what does "sealed" mean exactly? Would varnish be enough? Does it have to be 100% coated, or just the "wet" surface?
So what does "sealed" mean exactly? Would varnish be enough? Does it have to be 100% coated, or just the "wet" surface?Rob, the most important part would be where it could potentially get wet, the sides of the plywood also needs to be coated. Varnish will work as long as you look for something meant to be used outdoors.
Look at how compact camper is building there trailer and using epoxy to coat the edges.
Look at how compact camper is building there trailer and using epoxy to coat the edges.
Stouttrout
Adventurer
A light weight fiberglass coating would be perfect in my opinion. You would not need a heavy mat fiberglass. It would be sandable, waterproof and paintable. By the way, I like the paint design.
compactcamping
Explorer
Rob, I wasn't clear, will the plywood be exposed to the elements or is metal the exterior wall and plywood will be the interior wall?
For plywood being used as an exterior wall, IMHO stick with ones that have been constructed with exterior grade glue. A good plywood for trailers that see hard usage is Baltic Birch, it's a durable, hardwood plywood and comes in 5x5 and 4x8. You'll find it with both interior and exterior glue. The most widely available is Pine and Fir. Being a softwood they are more prone denting than the batlic Birch. Where strenght, lightweight and beauity are needed my farovite is marine grade Okuome. It's between Baltic Birch and Pine for maring/denting and being a type of Mahogany is very pretty with a clear finish.
Ideally all sides should be sealed, with extra attention given to sealing the edges well. I like to use a penatrating epoxy called CPES to seal/prime plywood first. For a durable, maintance free finish, I'm using Durabak more and more. For clear finishes the best is a marine varnish like Epifanes. I've been testing some water based finishes for longevity with good luck so far.
Now if this is an interior wall, that will never see moisture. Plywood with interior grade glue and sealing all sides well with a water based polyurethane should be fine.
For plywood being used as an exterior wall, IMHO stick with ones that have been constructed with exterior grade glue. A good plywood for trailers that see hard usage is Baltic Birch, it's a durable, hardwood plywood and comes in 5x5 and 4x8. You'll find it with both interior and exterior glue. The most widely available is Pine and Fir. Being a softwood they are more prone denting than the batlic Birch. Where strenght, lightweight and beauity are needed my farovite is marine grade Okuome. It's between Baltic Birch and Pine for maring/denting and being a type of Mahogany is very pretty with a clear finish.
Ideally all sides should be sealed, with extra attention given to sealing the edges well. I like to use a penatrating epoxy called CPES to seal/prime plywood first. For a durable, maintance free finish, I'm using Durabak more and more. For clear finishes the best is a marine varnish like Epifanes. I've been testing some water based finishes for longevity with good luck so far.
Now if this is an interior wall, that will never see moisture. Plywood with interior grade glue and sealing all sides well with a water based polyurethane should be fine.
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
There is an exterior steel wall that will shield the exterior wood wall and windows from all the off-roading hazards, and in the raised position the steel will act like an awning. I will attempt to make the steel wall waterproof with weatherstripping, but I cannot guarantee that. Thus the exterior wood wall will be mostly dry, but I would assume it will get wet. The exterior wood wall will be screwed to a wooden interior structure, not glued, because I need it removable for service. I'm thinking of doing a double wall thickness with 1/2" foam insulation.
The floor of the space will be simple exterior ply because it will be covered in a matress. The interior walls... I'm still trying to decide between having them finished in a nice wood, or just use regular plywood and cover them in some sort of fabric or carpetting. The space is for kids. I want it to be "warm", since the rest of the trailer is a bit of metal beast.
I guess, I should expand this to questions about the kitchen side, which will also be done in wood. What are people using for the cabinets?
Part of the problem, I think, is because in Canada we don't have easy access to too many varieties of plywood.
The floor of the space will be simple exterior ply because it will be covered in a matress. The interior walls... I'm still trying to decide between having them finished in a nice wood, or just use regular plywood and cover them in some sort of fabric or carpetting. The space is for kids. I want it to be "warm", since the rest of the trailer is a bit of metal beast.
I guess, I should expand this to questions about the kitchen side, which will also be done in wood. What are people using for the cabinets?
Part of the problem, I think, is because in Canada we don't have easy access to too many varieties of plywood.
indiedog
Adventurer
kudos well deserved
Like many others I've been watching this build for a while. As an architect I'm continuously disappointed by the disappearance of skilled craftsmanship and the desire to think about the project at hand. Stomper, I applaud your efforts! It looks like you are building a piece of furniture and not just a trailer! I wish you'd come work on some of my projects! It also looks like one of those things that when you have built one, you may as well build 5 as most of the effort/time would be in the thinking and resolution. My brother-in-law loves working with timber and I sent him a link to your build hoping he would be inspired to do something similar. I'm not silly enough to do it myself but would love to see someone local do it!
One question. Do you have plans for an awning so you can get covered access to the kitchen?
Like many others I've been watching this build for a while. As an architect I'm continuously disappointed by the disappearance of skilled craftsmanship and the desire to think about the project at hand. Stomper, I applaud your efforts! It looks like you are building a piece of furniture and not just a trailer! I wish you'd come work on some of my projects! It also looks like one of those things that when you have built one, you may as well build 5 as most of the effort/time would be in the thinking and resolution. My brother-in-law loves working with timber and I sent him a link to your build hoping he would be inspired to do something similar. I'm not silly enough to do it myself but would love to see someone local do it!
One question. Do you have plans for an awning so you can get covered access to the kitchen?
stomperxj
Explorer
Like many others I've been watching this build for a while. As an architect I'm continuously disappointed by the disappearance of skilled craftsmanship and the desire to think about the project at hand. Stomper, I applaud your efforts! It looks like you are building a piece of furniture and not just a trailer! I wish you'd come work on some of my projects! It also looks like one of those things that when you have built one, you may as well build 5 as most of the effort/time would be in the thinking and resolution. My brother-in-law loves working with timber and I sent him a link to your build hoping he would be inspired to do something similar. I'm not silly enough to do it myself but would love to see someone local do it!
One question. Do you have plans for an awning so you can get covered access to the kitchen?
Well I'm out of work right now and I'm a CAD guy so let me know... I'll need my airfare to Australia paid for of course
Thanks for the nice comments. I have been thinking about putting on some brackets on the top for a side awning maybe but nothing for the back really. I have an easy up canopy that will get used a lot I'm sure. I'll have to look into making something that will mount to any side...
Thanks again
WMac
Adventurer
No flame intended by any means, But as an architect and professional wood worker, I wouldnt recomend any use of interior plywood for one of these trailers. they will always look great sitting in the yard after the build. But if you really take one out on the trail its not a matter of if, its when It will form some leak somewhere, may not be catastrophic. just a leak at the door hinge, Etc. is all it would take, and then we have the makings for dryrot. nothing worse than spending this kind of time and effort, saved $100.00 or so for interior ply to have it start delaminating within 3 years or so. Just the moisture in the air could have devastating effects over a 5 year peroid.
With this much "Love", planning and care to personally construct one. I would purchase the best CDX type of ply I could get my hands on. even 7 ply if you can.
This will ensure 20 + yrs of trouble free issues as far as the structure is concerned.
JMHO. :ylsmoke:
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stomperxj
Explorer
I wouldn't buy or use CDX for anything after trying to use it for the floor for my trailer. I ended up having to completely rebuild the floor out of better quality ACX. Pretty poor quality if you ask me. My trailer was made from baltic birch and fir ACX plywood. If you coat any wood with the correct amount of CPES it makes it waterproof...
Not trying to be a jerk but you guys can start your own plywood thread if you want... This one is about my trailer.
:victory:
Thanks
Jess
indiedog
Adventurer
awning idea
A lot of camper manufacturers here use zips and velcro to add/extend awnings. What about a sail track section along the edge of the trailer roof so that you could slip an awning with a "rope sewn" edge into it if needed? Then you'd just need some poles at the outside edge. I'm thinking you would want something low profile to keep the nice lines of the trailer. This could be limited to the side only with a joiner for another piece to cover the rear if the weather is that bad.
A lot of camper manufacturers here use zips and velcro to add/extend awnings. What about a sail track section along the edge of the trailer roof so that you could slip an awning with a "rope sewn" edge into it if needed? Then you'd just need some poles at the outside edge. I'm thinking you would want something low profile to keep the nice lines of the trailer. This could be limited to the side only with a joiner for another piece to cover the rear if the weather is that bad.
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
I'm glad I didn't have to say it. :snorkel:
Anyway, does the back hatch to the kitchen area act as a small shelter from the elements? I use my XJ hatch as such, so I was thinking you were doing the same with the trailer hatch. However I like the idea of a slip on/rollup cover using basic awning poles that would roll up in the awning material and stow away nice and tidy.
keep up the GREAT work :costumed-smiley-007