Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Id like to know if anyone can tell me as to what type of suspension the Original Kit Tears had or have?

Or is it leaf springs?

Classic Finn

The original Kits had a unique torsion bar suspension. There were two torsion bars, one for each wheel, which ran all the way across the frame. The right wheel was anchored on the left side and vice versa. The two bars were mounted parallel to one another so the street side wheel is actually a couple of inches farther forward than the curbside wheel. It is very common for them to be found rusted stiff but can sometimes be repaired with penetrating oil and a BFH.

Jerome

Kinda thought our friend Jerome would have an answer to it..

Would you possibly have a pic of what it would look like?

Jerome silly question as it may be however but does this type of suspension do the same job as leaf springs would?

Best regards & Thank You

Classic Finn

I don't have a photo handy right now but you can see one at this site
http://www.lindertech.com/bubtrprk.htm
The torsion axle on the Kit allows the body to sit very low and they also have a pretty steep "up" starting angle. That is the spindle is higher than the axle center. The torsion bar twists with load just like a leaf spring flexes with load so they accomplish the same suspension duty with different techniques. You can also google Kit teardrop for other sites.

Jerome

Jerome

What did the Original Lights look like for this specific time or era? Or were there such? Or did folks use whatever was available at that time?

Classic Finn

Classic Finn wrote:Jerome

What did the Original Lights look like for this specific time or era? Or were there such? Or did folks use whatever was available at that time?

Classic Finn

I don't know what was original. The Kit I bought had what looked to be lights from a temporary towing package, mounted on the roof just about the hatch hinge.
Jerome

dguff wrote:The original Kits had a unique torsion bar suspension. There were two torsion bars, one for each wheel, which ran all the way across the frame. The right wheel was anchored on the left side and vice versa. The two bars were mounted parallel to one another so the street side wheel is actually a couple of inches farther forward than the curbside wheel...

Very interesting! Just like the old Renault 5, including the wheels not directly opposite each other.

By the way, I think the up angle on that trailer is way to steep, regardless of the spring design.

That is the up angle common to those trailers, right or wrong. Here is another Kit restoration website which shows some better shots of the axle. Especially updates #2 and #3. In #3 the axle is upside down.
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Down ... rdrop.html

Jerome

Jerome, I sent him that link a week or so ago. Guess he missed it. It's a 1946 Kit that has sense been sold but is still around. Jim moved back east somewhere.

Good Morning Gage...

I get this on the link:

Sorry, this GeoCities site is currently unavailable.

Gage did you send that to me? Ummmmm

Classic Finn

Check on the link again later. Geocities frequently gets overloaded. I looked at the link earlier today. Gage, I noticed in your Kit album that your trailer does not seem to have an original axle?

Jerome

Ohhh I found this pic - Jim Lindners Kit frame.



Classic Finn

I think Gage maybe meant this Kit..I entered Jims site through another means but then it just disappeared... I saw a part of it..only

Nice Kit though..He sure did a nice job on it..

Gage notice only 1 door.. Maybe a Sport Kit?




Classic Finn

Ok I finally got on that website before it dropped off once more..





There was a small pic of the axle there..

Classic Finn

dguff wrote:Check on the link again later. Geocities frequently gets overloaded. I looked at the link earlier today. Gage, I noticed in your Kit album that your trailer does not seem to have an original axle?
Jerome

Nope, not the original. And I'm going to replace it with a Dexter #8 Torflex. The axle that's there now looks to be home made (probably not) and in turn, the tire is about 6" from the body and the tears ground clearence is about 18". The new axle is going to have a 22 deg up angle which in turn should give the KIT about 12" ground clearence.

And Finn, it's not a Sport KIT. It's a Sportsman KIT. Both Jim's and mine appear to be 46's. I know Jim's was a 46.



The truck moves to another garage tomorrow and the engine & trans gets pulled. More room to work on the Kit. I'll also go get the ply for the floor and sides tomorrow for the KIT. Have to do that before I pull the engine.