DIY Poor Man's Fiberglass for Teardrop Camper (PMF) 

Here are my answers to the FAQ: Fabric : Canvas cotton is usually used. I had acces to large pieces of polyester for free . The finish is better looking i think, maybe less durable. i'll see in the future Body is made of good plywood for the side walls, and for the roof and back galley door : sandwiched thin luan between 2x2 studs (with foam panel for isolation) Glue : Titebond 2 is used. Yeah it's known that Titebond 3 is waterproof while Titebond 2 is only water resistant, but Titebond 3 does'nt glue well to itself which is very important in PMF , and the worktime is shorter. The waterproofing is made by the 2 heavy coats of glue and the multiples coats of exterior latex paint. Keep in mind it's only my personnal experience, i suggest you do a small scale test with some scraps before doing the the big process !

Thanks for having a cool ass song and not talking for 15 minutes like the first 3 videos I just watched

My uncle built a camper trailer 10 years ago and used this method to seal roof and walls. He said to use cotton fabric. It seals better than polyester fabric. He also said the glue isn't a big deal. Any type of glue adhesive will work on the fabric. What makes it waterproof is the multiple coats of paint that is applied at the end. He used exterior latex paint. Gave it 6 or 7 coats. This trailer is still leak proof today and is exposed to all types of weather.

this looks like how they used to do old aircraft, paint and fabric with glue, pretty durable if you get good adhesion, and avoid hard impacts to the surfaces, but backing it with ply should make up for that, pretty interesting idea

I watched your video as my primary reference to the process. I recently finished the exterior of my 5x8 squaredrop camper and am very happy with the results. Thank you.

I enjoyed the video. I have been tossing around the idea of doing this to the camper I'm building on my own channel.

Nicely done. Looks great.

This video makes it obvious that the quality of the finish is dependant on the quality of the preparation. Here, all the un-faired joints in the ply shone through the final paint job like beacons. Time spent filling, sanding and fairing will pay enormous dividends in the end result.

Great job, well explained, thanks for sharing! Merci!

I am gonna have to try this as I have been using regular fiberglass on my camper builds, and that looks nice to have help doing that too

Just from watching this video I'm getting good vibes. Subbed.

Thank you!!! Great, simple how to video.

thanks for making it simple and doable

Awesomely done

Sweet! Great job! 👍🤙

Ok, I read your comments after watching the video. I thought you would have included the fabric material at the beginning of the video. Looks great. Thanks

Good looking trailer

Very nice. I always use oil based paint for outdoor projects except for the house. It holds up forever and takes fewer coats to achieve waterproofing goals.

Titebond 3 is outdoor rated. II is only water resistant. Tite bond II failed on my patio chair after 1 year outside. It was also painted

I think it would help if you talked a little about what you were actually using.

Use titebond 3 since it’s rated for outdoor use and waterproof.

What would you guess the weight reduction is from the wet glue to dry glue? I'm in the process of modifying the design for a pico-light and trying to drop the weight by about 50lbs to get it closer to 200lbs and I'm trying to get an idea of what the reduction in weight from the wet application to the dried finished pmf would be. As of right now I've trimmed about as much weight from the design as I can before waterproofing, and I need a weight estimate for pmf

Do know if anyone has ever thought of using or used the Red Gaurd waterproofing paint that is used in showers for waterproofing their DIY teardrop?? Did you use canvas at all on the build? Did you ever think of using ACM panels on the outside?? Very Curious.

So , now it's May 2024. How is the camper holding up? Any leaks ? Did you sell it or did it get into an accident? Stolen? Or is it the best thing you ever build? I am curious.

There are many weight of cotton canvas drop cloth available. from 8 to 12 oz. Which would you recommend? The thickest the better?

Totally done the hard way.

so like a boat? wood covered in fiberglass and resin?

Latex paint works as good or better than the glue.

What if i used landscape fabric and boat paint?

would rolls of PVC be good to pair with this glue? i hear of poor mans fiberglass but not sure what material it refers to

Awesome. Any particular type of fabric?

Why don't you use titebond 3? It is more water resistant than titebond 2 and is still pretty cheap.

And this is fully waterproof? Did you insulate it?

May I ask? : The cost, sans the trailer?

If I ever make another one, I think I'll take a hard look at using Smart Panel siding for the construction, and not need to coat with anything. (it comes "primed", and can be painted,) I have it on my garage, and it's really tough and durable. It costs more than plywood, but maybe not much more than plywood plus PMF or other coating, and would be less work. Plus, I really like the textured wood grain surface, and the fact that it overlaps the next piece. I'd use the 3/8" thick panels, for lightness. I used basic grade 1/2" plywood for my recent build, and that made for extra difficulty and work. Make sense?

So how durable has this been? I have to echo other's in that Titebond III is more for exterior and is waterproof and has a longer working time....... How strong is the fabric?

Titebond II? I'll look into this. Nice job.

Love the innovation but I am curious why you used Titebond II and not Titebond III. Is there an advantage?

What is the advantage of doing this versus shellacking or just layers of clear resin?

I honestly question if that's any cheaper. How many gallons of product used and at what cost?

Sorry, I don't get it, what exactly does all that glue and material do that paint doesn't?

2 words: Damn!

👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

What kind of fabric? Whats the body made of, what are you gluing to?

Please excuse my ignorance; does exterior latex paint waterproof the fabric?

So this video seems to be 2 years old. How well did this hold up? Would you do it this way again?

Any fabric?

How is the tear drop doing now? Is it still water proof?

How much glue did it take overall

Why not use some truck bed coating or oppoxy?

That would last about 2 seasons in az sun and heat.

That glues cheaper then resin??

What is the fabric ......

I don't see plumbers waterproofing bathrooms with Fibreglass and resin, If the structure is sound and you are simply looking for a waterproofing system this should be fine.

I don't know why anyone would use this technique when actual glass cloth and resin is lighter, stronger, more durable, better looking, and about the same price.

Looks like a DIY teardrop trailer. Great effort though!

Fiberglass takes any shapes. layng it on plywood angular shape... Why? You better use kevlar, may be it will be armor-camper;)

WHy wouldn't you just use resin on this sides? It's way stronger and easier to apply. Plus Titebond II is only water resistant. Titebond III is water proof.

why not just use fiberglass?

You didn't tell us what fabric you were using.

Tite bond 2 is not water proof 3 is ;-)

Titebond Ii IS NOT waterproof. Nor is Titebond III, and numerous other wood glues, they are water resistant. Even epoxy glue is only water resistant, admitted more resistant than most, but still only water resistant. But unless submerged for long periods, will hold up just fine, if done right.

Nice work! subbed. how is it holding up? What metal material or product did you use for the edges? is it screwed or glued in? Thanks.

Poor man's grammar in the title thumbnail...

Why are you calling cloth fiberglass?

Poor people don't build that! Poor people also don't make that!

Why not use the better product instead of this ?

That’s wood tear drop not fiberglass

I have a dream... that someone could invent a lightweight hardsided camper that collapses. I hate the fabric pop up campers! Why can't the walls be of solid material and collapse????? Lightweight and transportable/removeable, no affixed to a trailer, but can attach to any trailer...??? Light enough for a small 4 CYL car to put on a trailer and haul...? What materials would one need to build this dream camper? Basically a shell, but two walls have lightweight windows in them? ?? ???? anybody??? Buehler???Where are my great minded inventor people AT!???