Concession Trailer Build

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I'm building a concession trailer out of an Aluminum 1958 Boles Aero Travel Trailer and I have some structural questions. I've gutted it down to the wooden studs, I want to support the roof with stands and tear out the wood and build it with aluminum studs. About 1/3 of the distance from the roof and floor, horizontally, are wooden studs that wraps around the trailer as it's main support. On the outside there are screws through the siding to hold the outside skin to the trailers interior structure. I'd like to remove that and replace it with thicker metal so I can use that as the support as well as backing for serving shelf around the outside of the trailer.The question is, if I use steel to replace the wooden structure would it react with the aluminum over time? What would you suggest?Last edited by Cable Bob; 03-28-2014 at 10:30 PM.
Reply:Bob, that's a very clean trailer. I think you can have corrosion where the screw allows water to get behind the skin, and with 2 dissimilar metals, it can get dicey. Perhaps a membrane for separation would help, just a strip between the 2 metals. Sealing the screws is another question, maybe gasketed screws would help, like those for use on galvanized roofs. No guarantees though, build at your own discretion, good luck! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Thanks, the trailer is clean for it's age, I'm the 3 owner.That was my thought as well, was to use some type of rubber membrane between the metals and use rubber gaskets between the screws and the outer skin.
Reply:I would look for some rubber double sided tape for the bond/isolator.  I would also use stainless blind rivets. Originally Posted by Cable BobThanks, the trailer is clean for it's age, I'm the 3 owner.That was my thought as well, was to use some type of rubber membrane between the metals and use rubber gaskets between the screws and the outer skin.
Reply:Thought about rivets but won't that defeat the of the purpose of the isolation of the rubber?
Reply:Well I found a company in Benicia, CA that's willing to give me a hand with any issues I may have. They rebuild and repurpose Air Stream Trailers and build concession trailers as well, so I should have all of my questions answered, we'll see. Thanks for your input.
Reply:Look up butyl tape, it'll prevent electrolysis, seal the screws as well as hold everything together. I built a 20' service body a few years back and tried to pull off a panel that was damaged and it was one miserable job, stuck like you wouldn't believe.....Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by Cable BobWell I found a company in Benicia, CA that's willing to give me a hand with any issues I may have. They rebuild and repurpose Air Stream Trailers and build concession trailers as well, so I should have all of my questions answered, we'll see. Thanks for your input.