How to Attach Aluminum Skin to a Trailer Body

Aluminum is one of the most widely used metals in the manufacturing industry. It is extremely lightweight, which makes it the perfect material to use when skinning a trailer, whether it's a horse trailer, camping trailer or a trailer used to haul an ATV or other items. A trailer needs to be aerodynamic to reduce drag, and a lighter-weight trailer is easier for a truck to pull when going down the road. Aluminum-skinned trailers have become the industry standard for the trailer manufacturing business. It's relatively simple to outfit your own trailer with aluminum skin.

Measure your trailer from front to back and top to bottom on each side. Measure the front of the trailer -- top to bottom, side to side -- and the back of the trailer -- top to bottom, side to side. Take measurements for the top of the trailer, too.

Order your aluminum skin sheets from a metal dealership or a trailer shop. Know the quantity you need and determine how many sheets you need based on the size of sheets the dealership or trailer shop can order for you.

Cut the sheets to the size you need. You should allow an extra inch for each sheet for overlap. Cut out any window or door openings before applying the sheets to your trailer frame.

Clean the trailer frame and aluminum skin sheets with rubbing alcohol to rid them of dust, dirt, grease or oil.

Apply the industrial-grade double-stick foam tape to each brace or post that the skin will touch on the trailer body. Press firmly to ensure that the tape is adhered well to the frame.

Place the aluminum skin sheet firmly against the trailer body where it belongs. Be careful to place it in the proper location because, once it adheres to the tape, it is nearly impossible to remove it. Repeat this process with each sheet, overlapping them by an inch as you move along your trailer body.

Trim away any excess at the corners.

Seal each corner and seam with silicone caulk from the inside of the trailer. Run a continual bead down the line from top to bottom. Do the same at the top and bottom of the trailer.