aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Sept 7, 2023 15:37:19 GMT -8
After watching Rob the Rebuilder on YouTube rebuild a Scotty with plywood walls, I got to thinking why can’t I do a Shasta like that with solid plywood walls instead of doing all that framing? Of course you would have to plan out the wiring and it would have to get new skins as well. What’s your thoughts? Any cons to doing it this way? I know the 1st comment I’ll get will probably be weight. Not sure that would be much of a difference to matter.
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newin62
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1962 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by newin62 on Sept 8, 2023 6:24:28 GMT -8
My Shasta looks more like a can of worms than a can of ham! I can't possibly imagine how I would install and hide everything that is normally buried in the walls.  Hidden in the street side wall: 1 - 1/4" copper propane line that feeds the dinette lamp 2 - 110 volt Romex cables, 1 to the kitchen counter and one over the roof to the fridge and outdoor receptacle 2 - 22 gauge wires running from the tankless water heater to the controller on the wall beside the sink 2 - 14 gauge wires running to the roof for the interior lights and fantastic fan 2 - 14 gauge wires running to the pump switch on the KIB Micro Monitor controller on wall the over the dinette bench 2 - 14 gauge wires running from the pump switch to the pump 4 - 18 gauge wires running from the KIB tank level monitor to the fresh and gray water tanks 2 - 14 gauge wires running from the roof to the reading light beside the bed 2 - pairs of 14 gauge wires running from the roof to the side marker lights And I still need to add the rough-in wire to a junction box in the ceiling above the kitchen cabinet for a possible future solar panel. |
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 8, 2023 9:15:16 GMT -8
Hi,
Rob the Rebuilder actually does that with one of his trailers. He demolished a trailer with framing and then rebuilt it with plywood walls. I don't remember which trailer it was. Do a search on walls and Rob the Rebuilder and you will find it.
I prefer wood framed trailers, myself, but I recognize there can be more work involved, but it really depends on how bad the existing walls are. Do you currently have a Shasta?
Link for how to post pix on the forum: vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/7276/add-photos-hosted-flickr-tutoria
Cheers,
Rod
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Post by vikx on Sept 8, 2023 14:43:09 GMT -8
I agree-frame the trailer. Plywood is a pain to work with and hard to wire/mount things indeed. I've not seen a larger trailer with plywood walls.
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turbodaddy
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17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
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Post by turbodaddy on Sept 8, 2023 18:51:44 GMT -8
I don't really have an answer, but I do remember Larry (Mobiltec) discussing the importance of flexibility. Seems to me that a framed structure would be more flexible than plywood. Think about the stresses placed upon these old campers. They were built before the interstate highway system existed, highway speeds were probably less than 60mph. Today, when towing at 65mph or more (adding in the potential headwinds) the camper is subjected to forces similar to being in a hurricane when we take a trip on an interstate highway. The combination of wood framing, interior cabinetry, and aluminum skin has proven to be a very long lasting and successful method of build.
I am amazed that my 58 year old trailer even exists.
It would be interesting to know how many "vintage" trailers of either construction have survived.
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Sept 9, 2023 3:45:13 GMT -8
One thing is that plywood doesn't hold screw threads as well as solid wood. That means a lot of planning on how to mount things. I would bet that what one ends up with is basically the framing ends up on the interior side of the walls vs exterior
Also, exterior framing allows better insulation
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 9, 2023 4:31:58 GMT -8
Temp Thread jack: Peter, Did you have to drill the holes to run the wires in your framing before you added the paneling?  Can of worms BTW, amazing work on that framing. Joints are magnificent.  Thanks, Rod |
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newin62
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Post by newin62 on Sept 9, 2023 14:16:41 GMT -8
Temp Thread jack: Peter, Did you have to drill the holes to run the wires in your framing before you added the paneling? Can of worms BTW, amazing work on that framing. Joints are magnificent. Thanks, Rod Hi Rod, Thanks for the framing compliment; my head is gonna get big. I guess you're wondering how I drilled the holes so close to the paneling. I have a cheap set of long 24" brad point drill bits that are quite flexible and I use my skinniest drill. The long bit allows the drill bit to get very close to parallel to the wall and once I get the hole started I just flex the bit the rest of the way while drilling so the hole goes through parallel. The longer the bit, the easier it is. |
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 9, 2023 14:30:17 GMT -8
Brilliant!😎
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Sept 9, 2023 19:32:15 GMT -8
Thanks for all the thoughts. I’ve actually went back and watched Larry’s videos on the 48 Mainline. A lot of the lights were hid in molding. The Mainline also had internal framing but I really didn’t see the use for that other than looks. I think the marker lights would be a pain to get wires to. I have a couple people that want campers to do the whole Chip and Jo Jo thing on the inside. I was trying to think of a way to build them faster. The framing takes me forever and I hate every minute of it. I thought it would be nice to slap some plywood up and screw the cabinets to it and move on. I’ll have to do more research.
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Sept 9, 2023 19:35:29 GMT -8
My Shasta looks more like a can of worms than a can of ham! I can't possibly imagine how I would install and hide everything that is normally buried in the walls. Hidden in the street side wall: 1 - 1/4" copper propane line that feeds the dinette lamp 2 - 110 volt Romex cables, 1 to the kitchen counter and one over the roof to the fridge and outdoor receptacle 2 - 22 gauge wires running from the tankless water heater to the controller on the wall beside the sink 2 - 14 gauge wires running to the roof for the interior lights and fantastic fan 2 - 14 gauge wires running to the pump switch on the KIB Micro Monitor controller on wall the over the dinette bench 2 - 14 gauge wires running from the pump switch to the pump 4 - 18 gauge wires running from the KIB tank level monitor to the fresh and gray water tanks 2 - 14 gauge wires running from the roof to the reading light beside the bed 2 - pairs of 14 gauge wires running from the roof to the side marker lights And I still need to add the rough-in wire to a junction box in the ceiling above the kitchen cabinet for a possible future solar panel. Yea I have all that in the one I’m doing now. Most of it could be worked around except for the gas line to the light but I wouldn’t put gas in the one I’m doing next. The top would still have framing to run from side to side with any wiring. |
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Sept 9, 2023 19:37:40 GMT -8
I agree-frame the trailer. Plywood is a pain to work with and hard to wire/mount things indeed. I've not seen a larger trailer with plywood walls. Check out the 48 Mainline that Larry restored. It’s about the size of a Shasta. |
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Sept 9, 2023 19:44:43 GMT -8
One thing is that plywood doesn't hold screw threads as well as solid wood. That means a lot of planning on how to mount things. I would bet that what one ends up with is basically the framing ends up on the interior side of the walls vs exterior Also, exterior framing allows better insulation yea I thought of the insulation also. 3/4” plywood is around r ..8-1 with house wrap it brings it up to about r-9. So not too horrible. |
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Sept 9, 2023 19:48:20 GMT -8
Hi, Rob the Rebuilder actually does that with one of his trailers. He demolished a trailer with framing and then rebuilt it with plywood walls. I don't remember which trailer it was. Do a search on walls and Rob the Rebuilder and you will find it. I prefer wood framed trailers, myself, but I recognize there can be more work involved, but it really depends on how bad the existing walls are. Do you currently have a Shasta? Link for how to post pix on the forum: vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/7276/add-photos-hosted-flickr-tutoria Cheers, Rod Oh yea. I had 4. Now I’m down to 3. One in process and 2 in line. vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/12192/long-road-begins-shasta-deluxe |
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