Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Interesting framing method used back in the thirties.

It appears that the company sold fastener kits, you supplied the wood.

Looks pretty do-able, even today...wonder if anyone has a set that could be copied, or reproduced?

<img src="http://i10.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/89/3a/e697_12.JPG"><P>

E bay link

Rob

What about those curved roof pieces. That's lumber, right?

The Hammer Blow Company is still around, they make "BullDog" couplers for trailers. Very heavy duty, great for larger trailers. I have one on my car trailer, and love it. I have trashed several of the regular stamped steel couplers, but the BullDog is cast.

Oh my god. I just saw a box of "Hammerblow" wood connectors of some sort at my inlaws barn. I am going tonight to see if he has tossed them yet! They were with other items destined for the landfill!?!! I never even gave them a second look, only to notice the name. I will put the coveralls on (its -4 degrees) on go there now

Wouldn't that be cool if they really were...

What an interesting axle spring placement! I guess they hadn't heard about "wide track."

tonyj wrote:What an interesting axle spring placement! I guess they hadn't heard about "wide track."

How'd you like to change that tire along side the interstate???

Similar connectors are still sold in building supply stores, normally for making sheds - they're often sized for 2x4 lumber. I wasn't aware that the method was ever used for trailers - interesting find!

I didn't even notice the outboard spring until tonyj's post. It makes sense structurally, if there is no internal frame, and people sometimes still do something similar when building with bicycle wheels and axles, but that's another travel trailer first for me.

brian_bp wrote:Similar connectors are still sold in building supply stores, normally for making sheds - they're often sized for 2x4 lumber.

Northern Tool makes a kit for 2 by 2 lumber--and you're right:

It's for a shed or greenhouse. Depending on the size you want to build, you just order an additional kit. The kit is nothing more than a bunch of small joist hangers at the correct angles to build a rectangular, perpendicular shed with pitched roof--including the angle you need for the roof joists. (The ONLY reason to buy the thing.)

I built one like 12 years on my property near Big Cypress, but I never skinned the sides. I just wanted something to cover my well pump. It really stunk six ways to Sunday, and I don''t think it's the "best" way to build anything.

You still have to square things up correcly, level everyting, cut your lumber correctly, etc. So all of these hangers are kind of superfluous at this point. Aside from the roof joist connectors with that certain angle, you can get the rest of the connectors at any box store.

Here is a more detailed view of some of the brackets...they look a bit more substantial that the flimsy ones I've seen lately...

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/awning/resized11.jpg?t=1171215940">

Yeah, and they were built using better wood and probably never broke 35mph either. It's cool to look at and if you were building a museum piece I could see it, other than that it looks like a whole lotta work (and weight) to reinvent the wheel. I like looking at the old designs for style cues and storage ideas, but then I'm always thinking about using them with modern construction methods.
You know, you could always skip the brackets and just use pocket screws.

I used sheet metal brackets on my framing:

Adds a ton of strength for very little weight.
Bruce