Bendable Plywood?!

I'm not sure I understand your question. This has been discussed many times on this forum.

Bendable plywood would NOT be good for curbing IMO, as it's not a good structural material by itself. It has a plastic/nylon center core that allows it to bend (as in very flexible) into a tight radius, which is not required in curbing on any trailer that I have seen. You will have no problem bending 1/4" plywood, or scrap paneling (as was originally done), just so long "as you cut it cross grain".

Bendable plywood has very little application to our trailer's, about the only area I can think of might be on the tight radius curved corner cabinets. But keep in mind that it still needs a veneer over it, because it looks very course (like Luan) and would not stain/shellac to look like your other panels.

It comes in two directions 4' by 8', and also 8' by 4'. The grain is laid in different directions, depending on how long of a curved structure you need to build.

It's stocked at Hardwood Stores, not HD, or Lowes.

Yeah me:











Unfortunately, the above piece cracked at the last minute. The plywood company assured us it would make the turn (we showed them a sample). Even with very careful clamping and strapping, Craaack. We ended up removing the bendy board and using veneer over solid wood curves.

Bendy Ply works very well for the front and rear curves on a ham but so does 1/8" birch. I use lathe to build the edge boards (curbing). Stagger the cuts, glue and tack. It becomes a very strong circle.

Can some one post a picture of what they are calling curbing?   Also if you will look up the hread 'Isn't anyone working on their trailer anymore, I posted some pictures of bending plywood cabinets &  cupborads there.   Sorry I don't know how to post a link to that thread.

Thanks! I guess it's a matter of whether I can find it local and comparing price. I am not ending up with very many scrap pieces of veneer so that's out of the question. I will have to buy panels just to cut for the edge itself.

See, you did know what it was, just not by that name.

I can only speak for the Shasta Compacts.  The early ones are framed with 1x2's, every where, rafters and all.  They had the plywood curbing/edge board and really thin sheet/roll insulation ( I don't know if it's fiberglass or asbestos or what, it's was yellow in mine).  My ceiling, back and front walls were 1/8" ash.  The side walls are slightly thicker, I think they are 3/16" ash.  Some trailers had birch but most of the 62's seemed to have ash. 

My 65 Compact is like RJ's 68.  It has mostly 1x2's and some 1x3's or 4's.  I haven't found the curbing in my 65 yet.  All I have found in the little I've uncovered is rotted  "something." 

Here's what my 62 looked like before I repaired it.


62 Compact