Wear heavy work gloves when working with aluminum in order to prevent damage to your hands. The edges of aluminum are extremely sharp. You will require a professional grade stapler and an aluminum cutter. These can be borrowed or rented if you do not own them. Butyl tape and gray putty will be needed to seal seams and keep the travel trailer from leaking. These items can be purchased at a hardware store or RV center.
Aluminum siding must be installed from the bottom to the top. The panels should be cut to the same size as the original ones. If you do not have the original siding, use a full panel whenever possible. Install the first panel at the very bottom of the travel trailer. Have another person help you by holding the panel in place while you staple. Staple along the bottom and top edge to secure the first panels in place. Complete all of the bottom panels first, then move up to the next set of panels. The second set of panels should slide into the bottom one. There is a flange that should hang over the bottom panel. Once this is secure, staple the top panel in place along the top edge of the panel. Continue this process until you have completely covered the travel trailer with aluminum siding.
Cuts will have to be made in the aluminum. Windows, doorways, lights, service panels and fixtures will have to be accounted for. Try to make as few cuts as possible in order to prevent the aluminum from stretching.
Once all of the aluminum siding is secured to the travel trailer, the job must be finished by sealing seams. Use butyl tape to seal around windows, doors, panels, lights and fixtures. Gray putty or butyl tape must be used to seal seams along the sides and roof line of the travel trailer. After the sealants are applied, aluminum trim, panels and molding are attached to the trailer.
