Home Made Camper

arff

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You can get 3/8 or 1/2 inch white puck board.

I would look into it. Easy to mold with torch.

Never rust or rot.
 

neilsleder

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Puck board might grow to much in the sun and heat. Shrink in the winter. At work we built a guy 60 shipping pods that have an aluminum frame and puck board skin outside. We plastics welded the seams "(you can rent the welder at Drayter plastics in Edmonton) and this winter at -40iah the puck board shrunk so much it broke! Some the seams split most the plastic broke!
 

rzrgade

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I have a roof 4 x 4 zero issues... go in sections . It works great if ya know how to install it ...
Plywood or any other material will also expand and contract in hot or cold .
Leave some expansion joint room and it will work fine ...
Like most things , it's only as good as the install process ...
 
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neilsleder

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I have a roof 4 x 4 zero issues... go in sections . It works great if ya know how to install it ...
Plywood or any other material will also expand and contract in hot or cold .
Leave some expansion joint room and it will work fine ...
Like most things , it's only as good as the install process ...

Leave room around the bolts holes for it to move helps lots. Say 1/4" bolt make a 3/8" hole type thing.
 

rzrgade

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Exactly ... no different than any engineered product . What will happen when moisture gets in to your seams in the space you leave on ply wood ?
Give it the ability to expand in equal directions .. and it works great .
 

neilsleder

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Exactly ... no different than any engineered product . What will happen when moisture gets in to your seams in the space you leave on ply wood ?
Give it the ability to expand in equal directions .. and it works great .

I think thicker it is less it moves to. Tougher
 

Ronaha

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Our economy is so frigged up right now plywood is cheaper then OSB right now! Crazy...... But yeah this is why I went with gutted spray foamed trailer so much is finished already, and plus Lem is a trucker, I'm sure he can handle backing up a RV trailer eh?
 

zx4ever

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I would use frp panel it comes in smooth or bumpy. The smooth is what they use for hard wall campers. It can be bought from commercial building supply stores around $60 a sheet
 
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imdoo'n

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at $90 a sheet, lem will have more money into plastic than he has into the build so far LOL. plastic expands so much in the heat and cold, likely best to stay away from it. likely best to use same materials that the trailer manufactures use now. cost effective and it works. a few sheets of aluminum/steel sheeting would work and can get them in the lengths you need, ribbed or smooth for your pleasure too!
 

rzrgade

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Well like most things you can spend a few extra $$ and do it right ..and once .
Or you can spend next to nothing and have to do it multiple times and still have a POS job ....
Life is about choices ....
Trailers use FRP as above ...lol
So I'm pretty sure it works .
 

imdoo'n

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Well like most things you can spend a few extra $$ and do it right ..and once .
Or you can spend next to nothing and have to do it multiple times and still have a POS job ....
Life is about choices ....
Trailers use FRP as above ...lol
So I'm pretty sure it works .

Sure haven't seen any, and i have been rv'n for a long time
 

rzrgade

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Ohh. I'm pretty sure they are
out there ...lol
Even if YOU have not seen them ...
Hahaha
Anyways , before my dear friend sidetracks another thread , these are a good alternative.
They will cost a bit more , but will last forever . Plywood will not , although it may be slightly cheaper . Once it rots , and it will , you will be rebuilding the whole camper ....is that worth it ?

Anyways just a thought , or another Option!
 
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imdoo'n

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Besides i wonder what a sheet of that would weigh? 50 , 75 lbs, how would it hold up in the sun? I can just imagine sealing that stuff!
 

rzrgade

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I would give a good plastic shop a call . Explain what you are building and what you are wanting . They will help you out . Plastics plus has a whole pile of different plastic / composite material that is amazing stuff.
I would contact them about $ / what they recommend and , what is available...
I have bought there for years and they are a good / knowledgeable outfit ....
And they stock a pile of stuff .
 

tiger666

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I would use plywood for now,that gives you the option to put on aluminum rv siding later when you can afford it.
 
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