Teardrop Tailgate

[Gern Blanston]

We are inventing as we go along, and I thought someone might be interested in this.

We haven't noticed anybody else doing this, so maybe it's wrong, but we are installing tailgates on two of our 3 Texas Teardrops. We think it will allow easier access to the galley, especially the bottom part, without a huge rear hatch. The tailgates are attached at the bottom with piano hinges, and there are latches inside at each end. The main hatch will latch onto the top of the tailgate.

We also thought that recessing the license plate mounting would be a nice detail as well. What do you think?

[schreimaster]

I was considering something like that for mine. I was thinking that having the gate down would move you too far back away from the galley. The galley could side out to meet you, the tailgate would have to be closed to get near the galley or the gate would have to swing way down to open up the area. Thats my thoughts, I'm still considering the idea.

The set up you have sure looks good though.

[Gern Blanston]

Yeah, our plan is for the gate to swing all the way down so you can get in close.

[Steve Frederick]

Yeah, our plan is for the gate to swing all the way down so you can get in close.

How will you seal it!!
Nice 'plate recess too!!

[Gage]

I like it. The only problem that I see you may have once and a while is where you may park the tear while camping. Have to be sure that you have level ground the whole lenght of the tear. Or only open it when you need to get to the lower cabinets.

Still, it's a good idea. Have a good day.

[Lazybones]

I agree with Gage. A great idea but you may have some problems. I can see the tailgate being kickded by your feet whjile trying to stand and cook.

Maybe a device to hole it further back and up would help if it doe's turn out to be problematic.

[Gage]

Here's another approach that works on the same line of thought.


Have a good day.

[asianflava]

I was wondering the same thing, how did you guys seal your hatches?

I don't have an offset in my hinge, I will have to sand away a little bit of the rear profile so that I can have some space for the weatherstripping. I'm really dreading this, I want to see if there are other options.

[Garland]

The idea of designing the tailgate for the Texas Teardrops originated
because we did not like the way the hatch would actuate with hatch wrapping
around the back and fitting to the rear floor of the Teardrop. The latching
and sealing mechanism works better with the tailgate and shorter hatch.
Also the shorter hatch doesn't have to be lifted as high to give the
appropriate head room.

The second thing driving the idea of the tailgate was that I like to keep
all my camping gear in the weather tight Rubbermaid box that you can see it
the attached pictures. I wanted to be able to slide the storage box and the
ice chest out of the trailer and not have to lift it out.

The picture shows that the tailgate can completely swing out of the way
allowing closer access to the kitchenette area. I'm very pleased how solid
the tailgate is when it is latched with the combination of the heavy duty
continuous piano hinge and the thumb latches.

Most of our camping will be done in the Texas Panhandle and we have an
abundance of flat level ground. You can see for 20 miles in every
direction.

[madjack]

Garland...doanno the relationship with Gern but welcome to the board if you haven't posted before...the tailgate setup is ingenious and I bet it will be on many's "copy" list from now on
madjack

[48Rob]

We went with the same general concept...

The hatch, in one piece would have been much too big and heavy, plus, I'm tall, and would have had clearance problems.

The lower area is designed to hold all the things one doesn't need to access on a regular basis.
Water heater, water pump, cooler (accessed from above) and electrical center.

A bumper, if one is being used, will need to be figured in early on, as it will interfere with the gate.

Though it might appear as though the lower door and the bumper are in the way and make using the galley uncomfortable, they are not.


Rob

[Scooter]

WOW!!!! That's a thing-o-beauty!!!

[Arne]

Hard to see here, but the hatch goes all the way to the bottom. My next one will have a slight underwrap on the lower portion of the hatch to make it look better, but not so much that it will hang up.... the only reason I could see having a tailgate is that the under wrap is designed to go under so far that you need it along with a hatch. For the sake of simplicity, I would go with a hatch to down to the bottom and forego the attendant problems a tailgate causes in additional work and sealing problems... but, I've got enough on my plate already so try to keep things simple....

I also plan on keeping the straight line seam between hatch and body.. it is so simple to create and seal that way.

[Ira]

Rob, that thing is too gorgeous. What a great job.

But is it legal? Whats with the 1933 Ohio tag, and you're in Illinois?

[48Rob]

Ira, thanks...I like pretty things...

Legal?
Not sure what you're asking...
Is it "legally" a teardrop, well, don't know.
Is it legal to be on the road, not yet.
The Ohio plate is/was to aid in mounting the license bracket and light.
I'll be replacing it before we start camping, probably get a 47, or 48 plate, not sure which state, but probably New Mexico as it has a neat design and color.
I'll have the "real" modern plate and registration with me.
May not be legal, but it looks a lot better, and until I get in trouble...

Rob