Questions about my planned build

RV Zones Planning, Layout
1

Hello Matt! I really appreciate a place to talk that’s not wrapped up in social media garbage!

I am currently planning a build and could really use a sanity check on my build procedure as I am mostly piecing everything together from other DIY builds online and pestering LLMs for best practices.

To start with, I have seen a lot of builds that just expose the raw wood to the road on the underside or involved removing the whole thing to treat after build. I don’t really have a ton of space and this will have to sit outside the entire time during construction so I was going to cut all the framing and paint it before affixing to a harbor freight 5x10 trailer with countersunk carriage bolts and then each bolt hole filled flush with epoxy. So first closed cell foam tape the frame, the a base layer of chloroplast, then affix the 2x3 framed floor base with 1.5" XPS board crammed in the gaps, then plywood, and aluminum around the edge glued in with Sikaflex 221.

Has anyone done something similar? Happy to be the first but I would love someone with some experience to make sure I’m not doing anything stupid.

Thanks so much!

2

Pre-painting before assembly is generally a great idea, especially when access will be difficult later. Just remember that not all coatings are equal—a quality primer followed by multiple coats of exterior paint should serve you well.

Because the trailer will live outside, moisture management is just as important as sealing. Protect the materials while still providing paths for trapped moisture to drain and dry; fully sealed assemblies can hold water once it finds a way in. I’d also plan on regular inspections and reapplying paint, sealant, and other coatings slightly ahead of visible UV or moisture damage.

Good luck with your project and post a picture when you are done.