Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

on a td how do you make the back kitchen door joint water proof? it looks like water would go right in when it runs down the roof!

Are you talking about the galley hatch? Kitchen door? You need to tell me what style you are building...

Mike...

Assuming you mean the galley hatch, most folks use one of the hurricane hinges. More info here:
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11210

If you are talking the hatch top you can use a hurricane or some of the others listed in Sdtripper's index above. If you get your hurricane from Grant at Lil Bear you will get the right length.

We also put insulated striping on the sides. You can get that from Grant in the right length also. I'm into simple.

yes a galley hatch 1/4 Nelson style td. ok thanks ill look in to those.

wow i looked at the link it has ever thing! thanks for the help. i think i might use lilbear to get it.

Definitely grab a hurricane hinge from Grant, or one of those flexible hinges from McMaster Carr.

go to mcmaster.com and do a search on Harsh-Environment Plastic Piano Hinges without Holes

or get Grant's hinge here
http://www.lilbear.teardrops.net/parts.html

Mike...

I just used the McMaster plastic hinge. Piece of cake, I used a strip of 1/16 inch aluminum on top of the hinge and drove screws through the 1/4 inch hatch skin into the 1 1/2 oak top hatch spar. Use a hardwood for your top hatch spar, double it or rip it wider than rest of spars. A little extra width helps the error/slop factor when you hinge your hatch. I used a doubled oak spar for my rear most cabin spar for the same reason.

Changing subject, I used exterior star drive screws 1 1/4 long for initial fastening without predrilling pilot holes. when the glue drys I either back them out and fill the hole or substitute stainless screws depending on location. A real time saver and handy if you don't have a helper. Most times the stardrive screw will hang from the bit so you can one hand it with practice.

Good luck. Remember, mistakes are only design oppertunities. Don't sweat them and keep moving forward.