Where did you find 5′ x 5′ sheets of birch plywood? I can’t find anything wiser than 4′.
ryan_teardropbuilder on
It’s specifically called “Baltic Birch” and out here there are quite a few places that carry it in 1/8″, 1/4″, 1/2″ and 3/4″ 5’x5′ sheets.
ryan_teardropbuilder on
It’s specifically called “Baltic Birch” and out here there are quite a few places that carry it in 1/8″, 1/4″, 1/2″ and 3/4″ 5’x5′ sheets.
Josh Michener on
Huh, well I went ahead and just bought the 4×8 sheets and am going to do a variation on the blocking of the compartments to allow for the difference in spacing. It will add a tiny amount of weight to the over all end result, but I checked four different lumber yards and nobody had anything wider than 4 feet. One of them actually laughed at me for even asking. Anyway…no big deal.
Mike Benton on
Are there any alternate plans for putting in storage into the floor here? I would think a foot to a foot and a half deep wells would work but I question what structural integrity would sacrificed.
ryan_teardropbuilder on
I don’t have any plans for this but there is no reason why you couldn’t. The only issues I can think of is the road clearance, and access to the storage compartments as there is usually a mattress covering the entire floor.
I’m looking at the pictures you have posted and was wondering how you managed to flush mount the wood frame to the trailer bed since there are bolt heads sticking up along the metal trailer frame. Did you cut out pockets/holes in the frame to accommodate for the height of the bolt heads, or did you remove the stock trailer bolts, add the wood frame, and attach the wood frame with the stock trailer bolts?
I countersunk 3/8″ stainless steel carriage bolts which I covered with birch plugs and sanded flush with the deck surface.
Rob Reynolds on
I changed some of these steps up a bit. I just put the bottom skin on, sealed the bottom, then ended up using the anchor bolts with just the frame and one skin. I was then able to add the insulation and just skin over the whole thing without having to do the birch plugs to cover up the carriage bolts.
Caleb Porzio on
Hey Rob, I did the same thing. I’m happy with it so far
Yannick Autphenne on
I plan to build my own trailer but looking at the Ironton trailer, it looks like the crossmembers are 1/8″ lower than the side rails. How did you fill that space when attaching the deck to the trailer?
Jonesy on
Hi Yannick,
I have built 2 of these. I glued 1/8 inch plywood to the underside of the deck, to fill the small gap. Then waterproofed the underside. Hope this helps
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="58 http://teardropbuilder.com/?p=58">12 Comments
Where did you find 5′ x 5′ sheets of birch plywood? I can’t find anything wiser than 4′.
It’s specifically called “Baltic Birch” and out here there are quite a few places that carry it in 1/8″, 1/4″, 1/2″ and 3/4″ 5’x5′ sheets.
It’s specifically called “Baltic Birch” and out here there are quite a few places that carry it in 1/8″, 1/4″, 1/2″ and 3/4″ 5’x5′ sheets.
Huh, well I went ahead and just bought the 4×8 sheets and am going to do a variation on the blocking of the compartments to allow for the difference in spacing. It will add a tiny amount of weight to the over all end result, but I checked four different lumber yards and nobody had anything wider than 4 feet. One of them actually laughed at me for even asking. Anyway…no big deal.
Are there any alternate plans for putting in storage into the floor here? I would think a foot to a foot and a half deep wells would work but I question what structural integrity would sacrificed.
I don’t have any plans for this but there is no reason why you couldn’t. The only issues I can think of is the road clearance, and access to the storage compartments as there is usually a mattress covering the entire floor.
Edit: Pulled up an old thread I read about this exact thing. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=8322
I’m looking at the pictures you have posted and was wondering how you managed to flush mount the wood frame to the trailer bed since there are bolt heads sticking up along the metal trailer frame. Did you cut out pockets/holes in the frame to accommodate for the height of the bolt heads, or did you remove the stock trailer bolts, add the wood frame, and attach the wood frame with the stock trailer bolts?
Check out the third page of this build step: http://teardropbuilder.com/build-journal/building-the-deck/3
I countersunk 3/8″ stainless steel carriage bolts which I covered with birch plugs and sanded flush with the deck surface.
I changed some of these steps up a bit. I just put the bottom skin on, sealed the bottom, then ended up using the anchor bolts with just the frame and one skin. I was then able to add the insulation and just skin over the whole thing without having to do the birch plugs to cover up the carriage bolts.
Hey Rob, I did the same thing. I’m happy with it so far
I plan to build my own trailer but looking at the Ironton trailer, it looks like the crossmembers are 1/8″ lower than the side rails. How did you fill that space when attaching the deck to the trailer?
Hi Yannick,
I have built 2 of these. I glued 1/8 inch plywood to the underside of the deck, to fill the small gap. Then waterproofed the underside. Hope this helps