Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Steve,

Could you get a # of that shop? The shipping maybe cheaper from NY than from Col.

Frank

Frank wrote:Steve,

Could you get a # of that shop? The shipping maybe cheaper from NY than from Col.

Frank

Here's thier website,http://www.alpinhaus.com/, no parts on it, but, there's a phone number. I know they have the insert molding. I almost got some 'til I decided to build in wood. They are a branch of Camping World Maybe that's a way to go too!

I just found another online source for Filon. http://www.all-rite.com/

The web site doesn't provide pricing information. But, they'll ship it in 4', 8' and 8.5' widths.

What is Filon? Is it a fiberglass material? It seems like it would be much cheaper to fiberglass it yourself than pay that much for the Filon material. I guess you're really paying for the convenience of the finish?

I fiberglassed my tear (epoxy & glass about $200) and bought way too much epoxy. I probably could have gotten away with $150 or less if I hadn't ordered so much resin and hardener. Just another option to consider while finishing these campers.

BTW, I primered my camper today. Here's a pic: http://www.stevewolverton.com/tear32.JPG

Steve

Steve Wolverton writes:

What is Filon? Is it a fiberglass material? It seems like it would be much cheaper to fiberglass it yourself than pay that much for the Filon material. I guess you're really paying for the convenience of the finish?

Filon is a common fiberglass reinforced panel used in the RV industry.

I fiberglassed my tear (epoxy & glass about $200) and bought way too much epoxy. I probably could have gotten away with $150 or less if I hadn't ordered so much resin and hardener. Just another option to consider while finishing these campers.

Steve, I hadn’t considered fiberglassing my tear. After looking over your web site, I think it is an option worth exploring.

Is this material difficult to work with?

Also, what about scratch resistance of the painted fiberglass? My fiberglass canoe shows every scratch. Is it possible to mix a pigment in with the epoxy so that scratches don’t show?

TomS wrote:I just found another online source for Filon. http://www.all-rite.com/

I think all-rite has the most expensive prices on the face of the earth!!! I remember pricing windows at $900+ each, and the filon for the Baja Benroy would have been over $3000.

Mike...

Mike writes:

I think all-rite has the most expensive prices on the face of the earth!!! I remember pricing windows at $900+ each, and the filon for the Baja Benroy would have been over $3000.

Well I guess, that explains why they don't publish thier prices online.

Thanks for the heads-up!

TomS - There really isn't anything difficult about working with fiberglass. Teardrops are easy to glass because of their flat surfaces.

If you have the skills to construct a teardrop then you'll find fiberglassing is one of the easier parts of the build. It is messy, and I always wear old clothes and latex gloves, but it's a simple process.

I would recommend reading the primer at RAKA.com.

http://www.raka.com/UserManual.html

I've used RAKA epoxies and fiberglass on my current project, but there are others including West Systems, System 3, US Composites, etc. All of these products are good epoxy systems.

As for abrasion, the finish would only be as strong as the paint. There are pigments that you can add to the epoxy for coloration, but I've never worked with them so I can't comment on them. I do know that it's highly recommend that the epoxy be painted because UV rays will eventually break the epoxy down.

I just like the really clean look of fiberglass, it's easy to clean, and waterproofness.

Steve

I'd add that epoxy is the quality product to use for sheathing - if you're after a 20+ year life, it's the way to go. But for a big cost reduction, you can use ordinary polyester laminating resin. It's a bit smellier to work with, but does not risk the skin reaction that can come from unprotected contact with epoxies and it is a more forgiving product for the novice to use.

The easiest way to make the comparison is that epoxy is equivalent to a hardwood and polyester is equivalent to a softwood (and which is your house made of?).

Andrew

Thanks for the excellent information. A 20+ year life is EXACTLY what I'm after.

steve wolverton wrote:
I just like the really clean look of fiberglass, it's easy to clean, and waterproofness.

Steve

How a pictorial of fiberglassing techniques when you do yours?
Bruce

bdosborn - Mine is already glassed. I have a few pics, but I didn't do a step by step.

http://www.stevewolverton.com/teardrop.html

Steve

steve wolverton wrote:bdosborn - Mine is already glassed. I have a few pics, but I didn't do a step by step.

http://www.stevewolverton.com/teardrop.html

Steve

But don't look at Steve's site if you want a description of how to sand, as he's keeping that a secret.......

Actually, having worked in boatbuilding, sanding is not quite as obvious as it seems - for example, most novices need to get taught about using hard sanding blocks to produce a flat surface.

Andrew

steve wolverton wrote:bdosborn - Mine is already glassed. I have a few pics, but I didn't do a step by step.

http://www.stevewolverton.com/teardrop.html

Steve

Hmmm, it doesn't look as hard as I thought it would be. Oh well, next trailer.

Bruce

Let the Buyer beware. Stay away from GE. I very recently sent him a check for Filon about a month ago and have not received a thing. In fact, now that he has the money, he won't reply to emails....This guy scammed me. He costed me $310. Things that are to good to be true usually are.