Trailer Build Saturday 3/22 COME ONE COME ALL !!!

[Solar]

The list has been made, the materials have been shopped for, so now lets get the stuff installed. We will be meeting at Howards around 9am Saturday 3/22, even if you can only stay for an hour or so or can't make until later your help will be much appreciated.

So far the help list is as follows, feel free to add to it.

1. Bill F
2. Brian K
3. Carl
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

The plan is to install 4 windows and a fold-up counter top, and we still need the electrical addressed (Mike?). This is just the start of the build, things can be added later on as needed, but at least we'll be able to use it.
We should be covered tool wise, but from past experiances, if you got em' go ahead and bring em'.

See you there!!

[Agent]

I'm probably going to stop by in the early afternoon (around 3 or so) after I hang out at the Mazda thing for just a little bit.

[Solar]

I'm probably going to stop by in the early afternoon (around 3 or so) after I hang out at the Mazda thing for just a little bit.

Cool, hopefully we'll be cracking open a beer by then.

[Agent]

I'll definitely be there around 3pm then.

[WAFlowers]

I've got the sawzall battery charging, both batteries for the impact driver charged and one battery for the drill/driver charged -- I can't locate the other battery. Compound miter saw is in the back of the truck.

I'll be ready, but I can't promise both bright and early; those are mutually exclusive!

[Solar]

Great Bill, between all our tools we shouldn't have a problem. Is there power accesable? We're going to need 110 power for my router, circular saw and your miter saw. I'll bring all my extention cords, and hopefully I can find my multi-plug or power strip.

I got all the materials,(the budget is already blown :shock: ) so we should be good to go. See everyone (Bill) tomorrow morning around 9am.

Also, Bill do you have a set of bolt cutters? Need the bigger ones that will cut chain, if not we can use my 4" grinder, but bolt cutters would be quicker and cleaner.

[Charles]

I got all the materials,(the budget is already blown :shock: )

That's ok, Steve will feel better after the old trailer is sold

[Native]

%$!#@&# the budget.


not.


We'll be fine. It just means we should try to get that much more for the old trailer!

I'm still not sure if I'm gonna be able to make it out to help - if I can at all, it's gonna be way after lunch.

[Agent]

It doesn't look like I'll be there. It seems as the brake master on the burban has finally gone out. I want to do it after the picnic to make sure its good to go so there will be no issues with pulling the trailer on the 6th.

[WAFlowers]

Who needs a bolt cutter when you have a sawzall? Bwahahaha!

I'm sure we can plug into Howard's barn, somewhere.

[WAFlowers]

We gutted the new trailer, removing all the storage and workbenches that had been built into it. Then we went further and removed the interior plywood "skin" that came from the manufacturer (we'll need to replace it at some point ... probably).

Now there are two BIG holes cut in the sides and framing of the openings has been started.

And that's where we left it.

[Alizarin]

It seems as the brake master on the burban has finally gone out.

I guess you were right about that, huh? Kinda sucks to be right about something that'll cost money to fix.

[Native]

we went further and removed the interior plywood "skin" that came from the manufacturer (we'll need to replace it at some point ... probably).

Now I've not seen the trailer, and I'm certainly no structural engineer, but I would have to imagine that the walls will be mighty rickety and twisty, especially on the road, without the extra bracing and solidity the plywood adds...it would suck for a side-gust of wind at 65 mph (or simply forward movement at 65) to "blow the house down." Maybe at least some corner-to-corner bracing attached to each stud along the way?

...or was your sarcasm lost on me?

[snookwheel]

[quote="Native but I would have to imagine that the walls will be mighty rickety and twisty, especially on the road, without the extra bracing and solidity the plywood adds...[/quote]

Since I am not swinging a hammer, I don't really have a say on design... but I can offer a suggestion based on experience. When I converted our Uhaul (fiberglass over plywood box), I was concerned about the loss of structural support when I cut the door and windows in. I did not want any "oil canning" at highway speed or window seal leaks due to increased flex.

I sistered two 2X4s together and ran them mid box, ceiling to floor. I then bolted them every 18 inches through to the outside of the box. It seriously reduced any flexing of the box walls. Here is a pic. of the outside. Look for the side by side carriage bolt heads running up the side where the 2x4 are bolted against the inside of the box. It worked very well. Also gave me a bulkhead inside to mount 'things.'

Scott

[WAFlowers]

Steve, the inner plywood "skin" had to be removed in order for us to get at the frame to beef it up with 2x4's around the window openings, bolted thru the angle iron that forms the top and bottom of the trailer.

The inner skin plywood skin and outer aluminum skin form what is known as a torsion box which is incredibly rigid for the weight -- think of a hollow core door. Yes, it will have to be replaced.

Scott, we were thinking the same things as you and applied a similar solution. See above.

[Native]

8)

[Solar]

I don't see how 1/8th" of an inch plywood skin could add to structural rigidity. The interior frame uprights are "hat box" steel welded to 90° angle steel headers top to bottom with steel roof "trusses" going across. It's a ridgid box steel frame with aluminum skin mounted to the outside. Plus all the additional bracing we added for the windows are going to make the walls solid.

I believe all the plywood skin is for is to keep things from banging into the outer aluminum skin from the inside and denting it. That alone is a good reason to put it back in, but I don't think it's structuraly nessasary, plus it's added weight.

Just my 2¢

While this LINK isn't the trailer we have, the construction is the same.

http://www.wellscargo.com/common/engine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... uction.jpg

[Jamie]

I don't see how 1/8th" of an inch plywood skin could add to structural rigidity.

You'd be surprised. This sort of semi-monocoque (eggshell) structure used to be pretty common in racecars, and before them, in the aircraft industry going all the way back to late in WWI. Attached to the frame, the skin picks up loads in tension to resist twisting and bending. The fact that it's plywood makes no difference at all -- the British successfully built a bomber entirely out plywood during WWII using the same type of construction.

[Dave-ROR]

I don't see how 1/8th" of an inch plywood skin could add to structural rigidity.

You'd be surprised. This sort of semi-monocoque (eggshell) structure used to be pretty common in racecars, and before them, in the aircraft industry going all the way back to late in WWI. Attached to the frame, the skin picks up loads in tension to resist twisting and bending. The fact that it's plywood makes no difference at all -- the British successfully built a bomber entirely out plywood during WWII using the same type of construction.

I agree, I would not be surprised if it adds strength. The plywood will tie the frame together with the ou ter skin, so I can def see it being part of the structure.

It's best to install it anyways, it helps insulate and protects the thin outer skin.

[Native]

I just eyeballed the picture Brian posted. Plywood, yeah, we need the plywood, but what I really wanna know is does our trailer have the bitchin' "E-coated silver spoke wheels"???? Does it, does it, huh, huh??!?!?