Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

As with most I suppose, all the "extra" stuff we need or think we need ends up traveling on the bed.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/insidemess1.jpg?t=1186347126">

After a couple years of moving it in, then moving it out, and moving it back in again...I decided the time had come for a solution!

A roof rack would solve about 90% of my troubles.
I had plenty of room on top.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/beforerack.jpg?t=1186347610">


I looked and looked, E bay, junkyards, stores.
All were very expensive, old and rusted, or plastic.

I decided to try copper pipe.
After buying a few pieces to play with, I remembered that I thought about using copper pipe when I was building the trailer, but decided to scrap the idea because my wife thought it would ruin the look.
She was right of course, it doesn't make it look any better, but it came out looking pretty good, kind of like a plumber owns the trailer, and had some left over pipe...
Gotta compromise sometimes...

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/roofrack1.jpg?t=1186347785">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/luggage.jpg?t=1186347822">

Cost around a hundred dollars, and got rid of all the clutter!

Rob

All that in one case! You pack better than me.

There are two cases up there...just can't see it very well.
I only put one chair on for the picture, but the other one will fit too.

Rob

Thats just beautiful Rob. I'd love a copper roof rack.. So how did you do that..... please and thank you!

......... Rob, I think the copper pipe will patina and blend into the dark trim but I would NOT like to see a plastic tub strapped to the top of your wooden beauty. The suitcase and chair look in place but I think you could place all the cords and placemats in a 'Christmas wrapping paper' tub made by Rubbermaid. Stack them on the floor when traveling and put'em under the trailer while sleeping.

Man, I figured you would have some room under the bed for all that stuff..........

Jeff

Dear Rob that looks very good...

Now if we ask you nicely do you think you could post a lil drawing as how to go about making one of them roof racks? I really like that..maybe someone else would like to give it a try also?

That would be fun to do on a rainy day when nothing else can be done outside... or on a long dark Scandinavian winter night..

We have copper with like a chrome coating available here.. Hmmm

Classic Finn

Miriam C. wrote::applause: Thats just beautiful Rob. I'd love a copper roof rack.. So how did you do that..... please and thank you!

Im with you Auntie M - Dittoooooooooo.

Ohhh Please Rob

Classic Finn

Hi Jeff,

Thanks.

No plastic tubs here

I do have room under the bed, but it's being used to hold 21 gallons of fresh water, the battery charger, the air conditioner ductwork, the wiring, a chase for the wiring, the wheel wells, and two large drawers that hold our clothes...

The hoses and cords go in the big suitcase, and the awning and misc. stuff go in the small suitcase (hidden in front of the other case) the outdoor rug folds up and is placed under the chairs.

Stowing things under the trailer isn't part of my overall plan to find a place for everything, or do away with it.
It all has to belong somewhere, 'cause I really dislike having to fool with all this stuff when I'm trying to relax.
I've got to have some of it, but it can't just be tossed inside anymore.

I'm hoping for a nice dark brown patina as you mentioned, I think it will all blend together very well!
Shiny copper is nice, but would be VERY hard to maintain, and with the price of scrap these days, I sure don't want to advertise!

Rob

Great job on the rack.I really like it too. Peg

Heikki and Miriam.

You know how some projects just look so easy, and you figure you can get them done in short order (kind of like teardrops...) well, this is one of them...

The rack is pretty large as roof racks go, 58" wide x 35" tall or deep, and 5" high.
The copper is 1/2" od. rigid water line, and sweat fittings.
Sweat means solder together.

It is fairly light, about 10 pounds or so, and is strong enough to do the job, but not overbuilt.

I started by building the end frames.
They are the long somewhat cuved rectangles that the crossbars fit into.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/roofrack3.jpg?t=1186352464">
The end frame is closest to you in the picture.
It starts at the bottom and goes to the right.

Also at the bottom of the picture, you can see the brass/bronze "foot".
It is an elbow designed to be used to fasten the plumbing to the wall, but also works well to fasten to a roof.
There are 4 of these feet.

The rack is nothing but a bunch of short lengths of pipe and a lot of fittings.
Here it is in the back of my truck.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/parts6.jpg?t=1186353531">

Copper pipe is not terribly strong when spanning more than a few inches, and I need to be able to tie down the luggage, so some bracing was called for.
You can see it in this, and the previous shot.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/parts5.jpg?t=1186353654">

The span from side to side needed bracing in the center to keep the rope or cords from pulling the pipe out of shape.
The two center bars were joined, and then braces run from the "floor" to the top bars on front and back.
Some "crosses" would have made the job less labor intensive than "tees" but that was all I could find locally...not even sure if a cross is available (I'm not a plumber... )
Some of the pipe is slightly bent to follow the curve of the roof.
The back has two pieces that stick up a little higher than the rest, they are for looks, and to have a place to tie the hold downs to.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/parts1.jpg?t=1186353979">

Pretty easy to build, but a time consuming project.
There are a whole lot of pieces to clean and prep for soldering, and lots of dry fitting too.
Once everything was soldered together and cooled off, I went over it all with acetone and then steel wool.
It makes it shiny, but since the surface is freshly exposed to air, it begins to oxidize pretty fast.
A nice medium to dark brown aged look is what I'm after
I have a good 12 hours in the job, not counting shopping.

Could have probably bought one cheaper, but chrome wouldn't have looked right, and the feet had to land correctly on the roof framing for attachment.

Rob

Rob...that is one sweet roof rack!!!...vintage suitcases on it really help with the overall look...what a cool idea... Doug

just outta curiosity what does your traielr weigh?

Beautiful roof rack, Rob! When the copper darkens, it will just about match the dark wood trim on your trailer. Maybe you could clear coat it with lacquer then to keep it from turning green.
Sam

Very cool look.................................

Barb

Wonderful Job, Rob... looking roof rack I've ever seen on a tear.
And you have got to have one of the classiest tears there is, and it compliments it well. Congratulations!