Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Folks,

Among the things I did not get finished before we left was getting fenders on the trailer. The reason being that I had lowered the trailer by mounting the springs UNDER the axle. This meant that there was not enough clearance between the tire and fender because the mounting strap was too short...here's a pic..



I know it is an ugly red trailer fender but it is mine <g> I would appreciate suggestions for lengthening the galvanized strap or some doable substitute that would help me avoid the additional $$$ of buying fenders.

Thank you very much,

Jim

How about flattening the strap and bolting it to the flange portion?

Or... lose the bracket altogether and mount the fenders to the side of the trailer?

Jim,

Since you do not want a set of my fenders which would solve your problem.

Seriously, I would suggest that you buy some new metal and bend it to create new fender mounts or just flatten the end that was mounted to the frame and bolt it in a different location.

Jim,

You could build your fenders using thos as a template.

Can you mount the fender to the frame by drilling some new holes and not use that strap?

Gage wrote:With that beautiful teardrop, why would you want to put those fenders on it anyways. You need to contact Kerry and get a pair of his fenders. Think about it.

...ditto and agreed...............

Thanks for the input everyone!

Ok, I'll bite....I didn't even know Kerry had, made, sold, gave away(!?) fenders. Whatzat about? I'm all ears!

Some reponses to suggestions....I doubt if straightening the strap would add enough length to solve my problem. As to attaching the fenders without the straps, I would have to mount them on the trailer walls and I am not really eager to put any more holes in the trailer--leaks etc concern me.

Gage's suggestion that this trailer is ummmmm.....ahhhhh....aesthetically...ummmm....deserving of 'upscale' fenders is a bit of a reach imho <g>

I had thought about getting some new metal to replace the straps....not sure where you would get that stuff. The straps are pretty heavy galvanized steel and the fenders are not lightweight either!!

In any case, I am open to suggestions....

Jim

I know exactly the problem you speak of. I have the exact same fenders on my Cubby and ran into the same issue.

If I remember correctly, I cut a notch to make some clearance for the axle to travel upward without bottoming out on the frame. The existing holes that were in the frame and meant for the fender mounts was where I cut....so I had to drill new holes right above that in order to accept the fender brackets. I measured up about the same distance that the axle was adjusted by moving it on top of the springs.

You could take the trouble to measure up and drill new holes in the frame like I suggested....that's the cheap way....or buy some cool ones like everyone is saying here. If you don't mind spending a few bucks for them, the cool fenders are the way that I'd go if I were you. When my ugly square-ish ones get beat up, that's what I'm planning to do.

can you just make longer flange out of some scrap metal are just bolt to the sides try home depot .If you just flatting it might break at old been are shop around there 4 are 5 co. that make fenders that wont break for the Small wheels look under food serve carts

I'm with Gage. Or make some out of wood. Use those ugly steel fenders as wheel chocks......

Ed

Ahh, urr, right Ed, wood fenders are the only way to go.

Roly

If it were me...I'd cough up the dough and get fenders that look great on the tear...Fenders are a real eye-catcher....but you could get a fender stretcher...they sell them at the RV suppliers all over...just go to the parts dept. and ask for one....Doug

Doug,

Ummm we used to send kids on 'Snipe hunts' when I was a kid

Fender Stretrcher???? Never heard of such a thing...!!!??

I put fender stretcher RV in Googel....got nada.

Can you give some details about what this creature looks like?

Thanks,

Jim

...hey Jim, I think you can get them at HF (and maybe NAPA)...they look like a flat frame with clamps on each end and pivot in the middle, you clamp them on the ends of the fender and pull down on the compound handle, pushing the pivot up into the fender and streching it...it should be in the section between the left-handed pipe thread and the big buckets of prop wash and right below the cannisters of sailboat fuel...hope that helps...
madjack

It looks a lot like a snipe.... Doug