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Post by littlecamper on Feb 13, 2024 6:08:55 GMT -8
Hey VTT,
First time poster here. Just tore apart our 1965? Glendale Glenette down to the frame for my first rebuild. Been watching a bunch of YouTube videos and lurking around this site. Seems a lot of people are framing their walls with pocket screws (kreg jig). Factory walls were all nails. Just wondering if there is a general consensus of one way being better than the other?
My concern with the screws is how they hold up the in inevitable flex going down the highway. Or is this a non issue?
Apologies if this has been asked before.
Also our trailer was originally made from 1-5/8” pine. Was going to just use modern 1-1/2” stock, any foreseeable issues there?
Thanks!
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Post by vikx on Feb 13, 2024 12:32:34 GMT -8
I use screws and haven't had any problems. I pre-drill and angle screw but don't use a Kreg jig. Nails are really hard to use and cause un-necessary banging on old wood. Many trailers also stapled things together; a real pain to do these days.
Cutting down to 1 1/2 should be OK. Remember, the trailer may end up 1/4 inch narrower, which may cause the front and rear skins to be a little wide. Trimming is easy. I built one trailer too wide by 1/8 of an inch, so had to buy new front/rear skins. Measure often and pre fit the skins to check your dimensions.
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Post by Teachndad on Feb 13, 2024 18:23:47 GMT -8
Hello and welcome!
These old trailers are built to utilize a combination of forces for strength.
Once the wood paneling is attached to the wall framing, the walls become stronger. Then, later, attaching the ceiling with front and rear paneling as well, manufactureres created a unit body frame which with all structural elements working together, you get quite a strong structure. The cabinets are also extremely necessary for lateral strength.
Cheers,
Rod
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Feb 14, 2024 17:33:27 GMT -8
Welcome!
I also say shift to screws. Much easier to work with.
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Post by littlecamper on Feb 15, 2024 9:26:08 GMT -8
Makes sense. Thanks! I’ll try and posts some photos soon of the project, excited to get going on it.
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nccamper
Administrator
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Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Feb 17, 2024 0:38:59 GMT -8
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jester76
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1954 Aljoa sportsman
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Post by jester76 on Feb 18, 2024 14:28:38 GMT -8
I would have to say that nails were widely used back in the day purely out of availability, ease of use and cost. First, lets look at availability, the machineing process was super fast to make nails. so they were in abundance, and the process to fabricate screws was not as fast. second, all you needed was a hammer to drive a nail, not a brace or a drill to start a hole and then another tool to drive the screw, and if youve ever watched a video of a carpenter bangin nails back in the day, it was quick. I'm sure that these companies were all about keeping cost down, so quick and cheap.
Now, in my construction background we have been taught that screws dont have the shear strength that nails do because they have a higher hardness factor, making them more brittle, that being said i dont believe that has anything to do with the contruction of trailers, screws today are so much better than yesteryear, and more resistant to rusting away, I;ve used screws all over in the fixing my framing in my trailer.
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