Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Finally some visible progress since last August. Last Fall we made a trip north, with a stop in Auburn at R.W. Johnson’s for the fenders and then up to Redding to visit family and go see Lil’ Bear for a hurricane hinge, door windows, some hardware and advise. Since then it has been slow moving. We started out with some plywood from HD and after reading what has happened to some people’s Chi-ply, we now have some ½” Baltic birch for the sides. We are now ready to cut the sides, but first we decided to first cut a side out of masonite so we could attach the fenders and see if we liked the profile and the door. For those who remember we ended up working around the wheels and this is how we have decided to do the door.
Martha

Looks good, I like the oversized door. Good luck with your build, Dan

martha24 wrote:Finally some visible progress since last August. Last Fall we made a trip north, with a stop in Auburn at R.W. Johnson’s for the fenders and then up to Redding to visit family and go see Lil’ Bear for a hurricane hinge, door windows, some hardware and advise. Since then it has been slow moving. We started out with some plywood from HD and after reading what has happened to some people’s Chi-ply, we now have some ½” Baltic birch for the sides. We are now ready to cut the sides, but first we decided to first cut a side out of masonite so we could attach the fenders and see if we liked the profile and the door. For those who remember we ended up working around the wheels and this is how we have decided to do the door.
Martha

Martha,
You've got a really nice looking trailer. I especially like those fenders, they look very familiar I'd sure like to find a couple 6 lug wheels like those.

Ohhh my.... very nice tear indeed....

I really like the wheels and fenders...are these the ones?



Classic Finn

Looking good there Martha. Good decision on the ply.

What a great start....................like the profile and door too!

Barb

Good Job!!! I like the fenders!:thumbsup:


Keep them coming!!!

Mk

Great profile Martha. I really like the big doorway and those wheels

GitRdun

HI Martha,
Looks beautiful so far!
Kris

Martha, great start! I really like those wheels, do they take a 16" tire? I have a similiar set that are mid 30's Ford. Can you let us know what axle and hubs you are using? I would like to use mine on the inevitable next project Tear.

Kevin, Are your 6 bolt wheels the standard Chev 6 x 5 1/2" bolt pattern. I have 4 spoked 6 hole rims that take a 16 1/2" tire, I think, not exactly sure of tire size but they are larger than 16" and I know 16 1/2" was a common size on old chevs. If anyone knows how I should measure for tire size please chime in.

Is this a highjack, should a new thread be started?

Regards, JG

Thanks for all the nice comments, makes me feel like we’re on the right track.
My husband was busy cutting out the sides today. It will be exciting once it starts to look like a trailer.

Classic Finn – Yes, those are the fenders, early Ford to go with my Ford wheels. We are planning on painting the spokes red and buying white wall tires. We bought 1932 Ford taillights to go with the vintage Ford theme.

In the picture the old hub cap in on the left, there was one still on the trailer frame when we got it, and the new stainless steel hub cap is on the right.




Hamcan –
My Ford wheels would date between 1932 –1935, but the one old hubcap I had is from 1935. The hubcaps are the same size between 1932 –1935, but vary as to how many “rings” they have, mine has 1 around the V8. Also some have the Ford logo or are plain with rings. We got the hubcaps and taillights from C&G Early Ford Parts in Escondido, CA, though they mainly do mail order and internet. The tires are 16”, hence part of the reason we needed to modify the door.

The axle came with the vintage trailer frame. As I recall R.W. Johnson, where I got the fenders, said the bolt pattern is the same as a Jeep if that is any help. For a picture of my axle look in my album, there are a couple of close ups and a picture of the trailer frame.

Martha

Martha, I know that axle. It's the same that I had on my tear. A word of caution, take care of the bearing seal. They don't make them any more (nobody) so if you loose that seal or damage it, you'll have to replace the alxe & hubs. I know.

Gage, That's good to know. Right now the bearing seals are in good shape.
Do you know what kind of axle it is? Is it like a 1934 -35 Ford truck axle?

...take care of the bearing seal. They don't make them any more (nobody) so if you loose that seal or damage it, you'll have to replace the alxe & hubs. I know.

What do people do with antique cars or trucks?
Martha

Sweet profile..


I like it! Those spoker wheels are very nice too..Originals, or repro's??
Looks like you're into a great build!

Thanks for the info Martha in regard to the axle and hubcaps. My wheels are the same ones you have however the antique axle will not be possible, so will have to buy an adapter I guess.

Good luck with your build, I look forward to your progress pictures.

Regards, JG