Wrapping a horse trailer box, views and opinions please?

[Peter Cassidy]

I would definitely run the panels vertical. 👍

[Craig Thompson]

Lengthways for me, hide’s the join more plus less chance of water / dirt getting in while cleaning / raining and would look much better in my opinion….

[Tim Hobbs]

I’m with Craig.

Horizontal for me. I would lay just under a full width from the top of your metal guard first then a thin line at the top. I like to use 9mm triline tape to provide a nice even overlap. If you use a really good vinyl you’ll hardly see the join.

[Robert Lambie]

It is one of those jobs you need to look at it on the whole and decide which way “you” feel more comfortable doing it. some things to consider…

I agree the vinyl running horizontally would be neater. but vertical drops would keep the panels and overlap pints constant all the way around the vehicle.

If you run the panels the length of the vehicle, handling of the vinyl will be much harder if installed on your own.

You will also have to wrap around the curved end and create a vertical join somewhere.

The “curved” end will be tricky! if the vinyl is hung vertical, you will not be able to get the paper out of the rear because the vinyl will be curved.

If the vinyl is curved vertically, then squeegeeing left to right isn’t going to happen, so you would be applying vertically also. by that, I mean squeegeeing up and down the depth as you wrap around.

Wrapping around the end “horizontal” will give you alignment issues. as it may run up/down by the time you get around the opposite side. to combat this, you could apply knifeless tape first where the join will be. get it straight and consistent. then apply the vinyl but with large overlaps. once in place, cut with the knifeless tape and repeat the lower panel.

Might be an idea to start with the curved area first?

If I go back to vertical panel installation. it can be done easier if working alone and the panels and the joins will be constant all the way around the vehicle, even on the curve. the downside is the curve will be tricky to apply up to and down the depth, but there lies your only real obstacle, and it is still easy enough done, just more time-consuming.

[Simon Worrall]

Thanks everyone.
Since I am doing the job alone, I decided to wrap in vertical drops – so much easier – from the rear up to the curve. At that point I taped the drop up the side and carried on round the curve sideways, as Rob says you cant get the paper out if you wrap top to bottom.

I used Oracal 9 series wrap, which I have never used before and I must say is HORRIBLE.

It doesnt shrink in the nice predictable way of 3M or Avery supreme, and the air release is really not very effective, and bubbles are really hard to get out. I only used it because the others are out of stock. I will not be using it again.

Anyway, so far so good, its about half done in terms of time. The compound curve roof at the front is going to be a challenge using the Oracal.

[Martyn Heath]

Hats off to you for tackling this on your own. im assuming you did 1500mm wide drops

[Robert Lambie]

Oracal 970 is very different to Avery and 3M.
both avery and 3m have their own unique adhesive systems and their vinyl is very soft and easily manipulated, even when cool.
on the other hand, Oracal 970 has literally no give in it until it has heat applied, then it does stretch very well. the stiff thicker feel has many handling benefits, but not just as forgiving as its competitors and certainly not in cooler countries where workshops are often not at the stipulated fitting temperatures.