This post is part of a series documenting our homebuilt teardrop trailer. Please scroll to the bottom of this post for links to previous articles.
The discussion about how to finish the outside of the trailer was a thing” for a while… basically, what it came down to was this: Wood = Less money up front, but more maintenance long term. Aluminum = More money now, but next to no maintenance for years and years.
We decided to make the investment now and make it easier down the road.
I was shocked at how quickly this part all happened; it was basically one weekend.
We bought 1/8″ marine plywood, to help with the long term-ness of the skin. (Again, more money up front, but less in the long run. The 4’x8′ sheets were about $40 each; non-marine of similar material would be closer to $10. Your prices may vary)
The exterior skinning was pretty straightforward; flat is easy.
Skinning around the curve of the front presented a different set of challenges, but it was nothing that some straps and heavy duty glue couldn’t help!
Once it was set for a bit, Jamie trimmed off the excess, and voila! The shape was done.
A few coats of spar varnish for added protection against the elements, and then its ready for final aluminum skin!
Next post: Hatch Construction
Previous posts: Planning & Framing | Walls & Interior Skin | Galley Counter & Flooring | Insulation | Interior Ceiling & Fan
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Robert says
August 21, 2015 at 8:23 amHey teardrop looks great, but is the project dead? or was there just no more posting? was looking forward to the next post? 🙂 Currently in the process of designing my own for our little family as well.
David Stockton says
April 18, 2016 at 3:40 pmI looked at your build was wandering how you did the doors. I have been thinking of building one myself
Lizz says
April 18, 2016 at 4:07 pmHi David,
Woah, we did kind of skip over them, didn’t we? Did you have a specific question about the doors? They’re framed and paneled the same as the main body. I’ll have to add a post with door-specific info. Thanks for pointing it out. 🙂
Pete says
August 4, 2017 at 9:15 amWhere did you find the Baby moon hub caps? and are they on 5.30 x 12 rims?
Jesse Carleton says
November 25, 2017 at 10:50 amWould be nice to see some pictures of the finished project.
Lizz says
November 25, 2017 at 10:58 amHi Jesse! I can do you one better; how about a video tour? http://morethanthursdays.com/teardrop-trailer-video-tour/