puffernutter
Puffernutter
- Messages
- 1,804
- Location
- Wiltshire
Quite a while ago I bought a small cattle trailer, single axle wooden sides and a roof, but open for general use. It ended up as a trailer for one of my 7.25" locomotives and lent to a friend for the last 6 years. He protected the interior by a tarpaulin which was OK but cannot be used when it is being towed and of late got leaky and I now need to repair the driving truck as the wood has rotted.
The trailer has wooden sides and then providing support there are metal hoop at regular intervals down the length tying the sides together and there are slats running lengthwise under these hoops. These hoops are formed out of "U" section with the open end uppermost and the wood is under the U. The hoops are not a regular curve, almost a 1/2 ellipse.
So that is the back story. I think I have three options:
1. Continue with tarpaulin (and they all seem to have a limited life and the water will pool);
2. Fill the gaps between the wood with more wood and caulk it; or
3. Put a permanent metal covering over.
I think (3) is the best option, using aluminium and putting it over the U section and extending down a short distance as that will give an air flow in, but keep the weather out.
So, my question (eventually). The sheet will be about 4' wide (to minimise joins) but I have no way of rolling them that width, nor can I roll the irregular curvature. As this is to purely keep the weather out (no strength required) I can use some fairly thin aluminium. So, how feasible is it to just "force" it around the curve and then just screw/rivet at regular intervals, or will I end up with too many creases?
Cheers
Peter
The trailer has wooden sides and then providing support there are metal hoop at regular intervals down the length tying the sides together and there are slats running lengthwise under these hoops. These hoops are formed out of "U" section with the open end uppermost and the wood is under the U. The hoops are not a regular curve, almost a 1/2 ellipse.
So that is the back story. I think I have three options:
1. Continue with tarpaulin (and they all seem to have a limited life and the water will pool);
2. Fill the gaps between the wood with more wood and caulk it; or
3. Put a permanent metal covering over.
I think (3) is the best option, using aluminium and putting it over the U section and extending down a short distance as that will give an air flow in, but keep the weather out.
So, my question (eventually). The sheet will be about 4' wide (to minimise joins) but I have no way of rolling them that width, nor can I roll the irregular curvature. As this is to purely keep the weather out (no strength required) I can use some fairly thin aluminium. So, how feasible is it to just "force" it around the curve and then just screw/rivet at regular intervals, or will I end up with too many creases?
Cheers
Peter