What are opinions on wood over inside skin

[Aktundra]

I am getting back to a 1963 Bambi project started and set aside several years ago. As I researched work that needed to be done on my Bambi, I was really fascinated by the folks that had used Baltic birch to put a wood interior over the skins. It looked so warm and beautiful

Since I set the Bambi project aside, I’ve made a cedar strip canoe. Learned how to form the strips to the curves of the canoe, have a bunch of material left over, and have started thinking about combining the thinking of the canoe & Bambi projects. (Thinking the long, front-to-back strips would contribute to the illusion of depth to my otherwise small trailer)

But recently I saw another “vintage” trailer with a household wood paneling interior. It looked sooo dated, sooo dark. I could almost smell a musty smell, just by looking at pictures !!!

What are opinions of wood interior skins ? Just because I can, will I regret it ?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, wood interiors can look great. My concern would be weight. Especially on newer Airstreams which have weight stickers on them. Thus, reducing your payload.

[WaLee]

Check out timeless travel trailers web site. They did a similar trailer in wood strips and copper end caps. It’s the Orvis edition. It’s beautiful.

[SeeMore]

Do whatever delivers the interior you desire. Be sure to use bendable plywood and in the thinnest sheets your local lumberyard can acquire; typically 3/8" is all you need. Inquire as to species available.

Bendable plywood (also known as Curve-Ply, Flexply, Wacky Wood and Wiggle wood, bending plywood) is normally made out of hardwood imported veneers with the grain layers all running in one direction, this allows bend-ability to the panel and can be applied on a curved radius. There are two directions of bend. One is along the width of the panel piece 4' and the other is along the length 8'.

[BigAl]

you can get plywood in 1/8 inch thickness. It is light weight.
Al

[BigAl]

I did the interior of mine with cork.
Al

[David Rogers]

I used heart pine on the floor of my 22’ Liner at 3/8” thick and on the walls 3/16” thick attached to 1/4” thick plywood which replaced the inner aluminum skin. It has been very durable and is beautiful to the eyes. I also used it on the cabinetry. Surprisingly, it weighed in at only 3500 pounds dry. For added warmth and to protect the wood we rubbed it down with tung oil. Turned out beautiful so I highly recommend wood.

[JCWDCW]

I “wood” be worried about weight
Original trailers did not have an aluminum interior skin which in itself is heavy so adding more weight over top. Just means you lose some of the trailer carrying capacity

[Tedrosen]

Check out Fasade flexible PVC panels. They have some amazing products that come in 4 x 8 sheets. Super easy to apply

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Tedrosen

Check out Fasade flexible PVC panels. They have some amazing products that come in 4 x 8 sheets. Super easy to apply

Can you provide a link please?

[DaveG]

Originally Posted by Aktundra

I am getting back to a 1963 Bambi project - I was really fascinated by the folks that had used Baltic birch to put a wood interior over the skins. It looked so warm and beautiful

But recently I saw another “vintage” trailer with a household wood paneling interior. It looked sooo dated, sooo dark. I could almost smell a musty smell, just by looking at pictures !!!

What are opinions of wood interior skins ? Just because I can, will I regret it ?

If not the entire interior what about considering portions or just accents in wood? The idea of using the strips has all the ingredients of a really great project!

[DavidsonOverlander]

I did the inside of our '74 Sovereign with wood (1/8" Baltic Birch plywood) and it turned out nice, but it was a lot of work. One drawback is if you have a leak the wood may stain and/or delaminate at that point.

[scorpiontimo]

Try 1/8 birch you can clear coat or stain it. If you use 1/4 steam the back of it and it will roll nicely. The first 2 pictures are 1/4 birch streamed to make the roll and stained to a red mahogany. The third is a wall I did with 1/8 birch clear coat only.

[Spartan Rick]

My Spartan(s) isn't (aren't) pristine but still mostly original, Birch and birch ply, and I don't think weight was a problem.
http://desmo.ca/pb/wp_c4226db8/wp_c4226db8.html
Check out some other spartan interiors. www.spartantrailer.com

I love the look and feel, Shellac that can be renewed..

Go for it, lots of ply available and you can replace some of the original panels for weight.. Spartan must have had big steam presses for the curves.. but all panels are removable, even trim on one is held with tiny screws not brads.. !

Originally Posted by Aktundra

I am getting back to a 1963 Bambi project started and set aside several years ago. As I researched work that needed to be done on my Bambi, I was really fascinated by the folks that had used Baltic birch to put a wood interior over the skins. It looked so warm and beautiful

But recently I saw another “vintage” trailer with a household wood paneling interior. It looked sooo dated, sooo dark. I could almost smell a musty smell, just by looking at pictures !!!

What are opinions of wood interior skins ? Just because I can, will I regret it ?

[RichHog]

I’ve done 2 72 Airstreams which have that fake plastic on them. I used 1/8” birch and birch Veneer to in some cases cover the existing fake surface.
In some cases I took out the existing panels and replaced and I others used the veneer. There’s a thread I posted on the results. Looks so much better.

[julieannbaca]

I don't think weight will be an issue. Your talking about an older Bambi. The older Airstreams were designed to be super light. Remember the cyclist towing 9ne. Well little extra weight might provide a bit more stability. I doubt you will add enough to cause any issues. Have fun with your project.

[waninae39]

IMHO, don't add wood as its will add significant weight.

if this is a static , non-moveable AS, then go ahead

[KLK]

My floors are cork. Where did you find the cork you used to line the interior skin?
Thank you,
Kim Koogle
1966 30’ Sovereign Airstream

[KLK]

Beautiful!

[Airwave503]

I would have said hell no, then I saw you were in Alaska and I say HELL NO!

After gutting my '61 and tearing out all the rotten, moldy disgusting wood, I have avoided wood in my trailer as much as possible and what I have is marine grade with an epoxy coat. If I could so it over I would go synthetic.

I painfully scraped the Zolatone and polished my inside skins and they are beautiful IMO. In cold temps we get a ton of condensation which I would think would cause massive rot and mold inside wood paneling.