Northern Lite Traveler

[mezmo]

'Very generous of you to take the time and share all those building drawings !

 

[Texican-TNT]

I love this shape and design, thanks for sharing your drawings.

 

[SMCbivy9007]

Beautiful build. Exceptionally clean and finished.

 

[J.Pierson]

I don't know how I had missed this build before. It is incredible! Thank you for sharing and documenting so well!

Sent from my LG-AS330 using Tapatalk

 

[OP827]

Thanks for sharing your experience here, very nice builds!

 

[Ottsville]

What a beautiful build and thank you for sharing your designs and trailer ideas!

 

[Patrike1]

Hi - I have order ordered my aluminum to copy this technique -- U say 3/16 rivets, I am assuming width based on the material you are going through 3/16 is not long enough - so what length did you use - I am rivet ignorant so need all the all the help I can get.
Possibly a link to source
Cheers, Patrick

 

[alaska teardrop]

Thank you all for the compliments. Well, it's been awhile. Time for an update.

The Northern Lite has traveled several thousand miles, including a seven week trip of western states, the Pacific coast and the last Redwood Gathering. No issues except a flat tire and no changes made to the trailer. I have added a tongue box and a 30 amp AGM battery with AC charger.

Fred

 

[alaska teardrop]

Patrick, here is a link to an online rivet manufacturer.
https://hansonrivet.wpengine.com/rivets ... nd-rivets/

The PASD603H through PASD610H rivets are 3/16" diameter closed end structural aluminum rivets with a steel mandrel.
The length is determined by the grip range (i.e. the thickness of the materials that you are riveting together).

The grip range and the drill size are extremely important for a strong bond.

You could order on line, but you could probably find them at at your local industrial hardware supply.

Good luck with your build. Fred

 

[Patrike1]

Thanks - picked up some rivets. Got some structurals for the internal framing work and some closed end for the outside alu sheeting work - both in the grip ranges needed. Did not know there were that many types of rivets out there

Cheers

 

[Patrike1]

Hi Again
Which part# of VHB tape -- sooooo many out there
Cheers

 

[alaska teardrop]

Hi Again
Which part# of VHB tape -- sooooo many out there
Cheers

3M 4919F

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/ ... 236&rt=rud

Clean the surfaces with isopropyl alcohol.

 

[CoffeeDude]

Excellent work on your aluminum foamie lightweight trailer!
I have been reading thru your posts, to learn how to build my first TD, what is the process for your exterior trim?
Did you buy them or custom build your trim.
Thanks!
CD

 

[alaska teardrop]

CoffeeDude,
Welcome aboard & thank you for the complement.
All of the trim & seals came from Trim-Lok. https://www.trimlok.com/
Grainger & other sources sell Trim-Lok products also, in smaller quantities.

Good luck with your project.

 

[joshuag-TNT]

Such a good build! I came back to it after 2 years and I'm still seeing things I didn't notice before... and then you provided updates on how it all worked out. Thanks again!

 

[CoffeeDude]

Please help!
I cannot find the "1/8" x 1" angle cleats" you used to rivet the aluminum frames.
I searched on the websites you recommended, https://www.hansonrivet.com and www.trimlok.com, but cannot locate them.
Do you custom build the angle cleats?
Thanks

FYI:
I started building my first aluminum foamie trailer, which was inspired by your incredible engineering skills, thanks again for your help!

 

[alaska teardrop]

You're welcome, Joshua.

Hope that you can use some of the ideas & methods.

Fred

 

[alaska teardrop]

Hi Coffedude,

The cleats are made from 1x1x1/8 angle using a drill press w/fence & cut to one inch length with a horizontal band saw.

Pictures required of your new trailer.

Fred

 

[CoffeeDude]

Hi Fred,

I attached some photos of my 6' x 9' steel trailer chassis build, which has plywood flooring.

I originally started riveting the aluminum frame with rivets I found on amazon, only
to realize the amazon rivets are the wrong size, so the corner bracket is loose.

I just purchased rivets from Hanson supply, they arrived in the mail today, and I will proceed to use Hanson rivets only!

I have a rivet grip range, and will purchase aluminum square tubing, and cut the squares as you suggested.
I will make sure the aluminum cleats, and frame thickness matches the rivet grip range.

Thanks for the tip on making angled cleats!

(The cleats are made from 1x1x1/8 angle using a drill press w/fence & cut to one inch length with a horizontal band saw.)

Hanson supply Rivet dimensions:
blind aluminum rivet closed end with steel mandrel
rivet size: 3/16 "
rivet grip: .313 - .375

Aluminum square tubing dimensions:
16 gage (1/16") x 1" x 1" 6063-T52 square tubing


Thanks for your expert advice, I will try to upload photos soon!
Sandro

 

[CoffeeDude]

I applied rivet PASD606H to aluminum cleats, with good results!
The framing has a solid grip, but I am still able to move it slightly with my hand.
Does a well placed rivet allow for some slight movement by hand?
attached are photos for reference: