Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I found this old photo of my Mom and Dad Teardrop camping circa 1953. They borrowed a homebuilt from a friend that can be seen in the background. I like the way the builder did the hatch. Seems like a simple way of making a strong hatch that would be less prone to leaks, with less reliance on weather strip to seal the hatch. I think I have seen Steve F use this same overlapped hatch rib method along with epoxy wood channels to keep water out. Have any of you constructed hatches this way?

Well Jerry, let me ask you. Just where do you think hatches leak? Could maybe it be around the hinge? And back in the 40's & 50's all teardrops leaked unless they covered the hinge with a piece of leather.

Hey Jerry, Ill assume the above poster didn’t really understand your question. Yes, others have used that method of overlapping the rear hatch to keep water out. I didnt however, But I’m sure others will chime in....

Mike

PS Cool dated Picture!

Hi Jerry,

Nice photo!
Thanks for sharing it.

Is that "grandma" in the picture?
From the smiles on your mom and dads faces, I'm guessing she was staying in the tent next door...

The hatch construction is simple, which is not a bad thing.
The straight cut is certainly easier than curved.
The vertical pieces attached to the sides of the body are for stiffening and strengthening the hatch while closing and after being closed.
They would to some degree, lessen the chance for a leak along the two sides, but not completely prevent them.

As Gage pointed out, most leaks in the hatch area were from the standard piano hinge.
Many folks, including trailer manufacturers, used treated canvas wrapped around them, but it didn't last as long as most would hope...
Leather and rubber were options too.
Some others used standard strap hinges, and relied on a gasket material but still, sooner or later, most leaked...

Got any more neat pictures? Sure is fun to step back and see "how it was"!

Rob

Great picture! Thanks so much for sharing it.

Check out Steve Fredericks builds for similar ideas.
http://www.campingclassics.com/

He also has a shop manual that gives full instructions.
http://www.campingclassics.com/shopman05.html

Oh and we love the pictures so if you have more.

DUCK!

Ma3tt wrote:DUCK!

That made me laugh -- I know exactly what you're refering to.
Philip

Miriam C. wrote::thumbsup: Great picture! Thanks so much for sharing it.

Oh and we love the pictures so if you have more.

...what is with you guys and pictures? everywhere i go on here its pictures this and pictures that ....i understand the concept of "a picture is worth a thousand words",but do you guys moonlight for a camera company or what? ...guess i better goto wally world and get one ....which one do you recommend?

Mike Angeles wrote:Hey Jerry, Ill assume the above poster didn’t really understand your question. ............
Mike

Well Mike , I see once again your reading things into something that isn't there. Apparently trying to cause something. So do me a favor, Don't try and translate what I write because you don't know what your talking about. I might also note that I don't have any seals, rubber or other wise anywhere on my teardrop and would you believe I also have no leaks, anywhere.

I picked up a Fuji a few weeks ago, to keep in my briefcase. It's no bigger than a deck of cards. Let's see if I can find some info...

Ah here it is... a J10 8.2 megapixels...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/J10/J10A.HTM

I think I spent $119 at my local Meijer.

Mike...

daddiozz wrote:

Miriam C. wrote::thumbsup: Great picture! Thanks so much for sharing it.

Oh and we love the pictures so if you have more.

...what is with you guys and pictures? everywhere i go on here its pictures this and pictures that ....i understand the concept of "a picture is worth a thousand words",but do you guys moonlight for a camera company or what? ...guess i better goto wally world and get one ....which one do you recommend?

Well Jerry, let me ask you. Just where do you think hatches leak? Could maybe it be around the hinge? And back in the 40's & 50's all teardrops leaked unless they covered the hinge with a piece of leather.

I would assume that Grant's Hurricane hinge or the rubber covering the hinge would alleviate most leaks from the top. Most trailers I have seen have some type of vinyl weather strip going down the sides with a "T" molding on the hatch meeting the weather strip. I am not so confident in my construction ability, so I am looking for a simple method for hatch construction and sealing. I have not yet built one of these. Pretty much a lurker at this point.

Besides that, I wanted to share the old pic. It does seem to take you back to a different time. Dad served in the Pacific with the Marines and saw action in Guam and Iwo Jima . I feel lucky to be here. Mom was just starting our large family of 6 kids. It truly was the Greatest Generation. Seeing what they went through humbles me. They are both in their early 80's now and I love them dearly.

Gage thanks for sharing your old family pic. Which of those 2 scally wags was you? :D Do you have any pics of how you sealed your hatch without weather strips? I'd love to see them.

Rob, that was grandma. One of the sweetest women I've known, and yes she was in the tent. Thanks for the advise and kind words.

Dad had an old box camera that used 120? sized film and he kept his negs. Last year i bought a scanner that would handles negs as well as regular prints and have had a ball scanning them. They come out so clear . He later went to one of those little 110 sized pocket camera's and all the pictures from the 70's were just junk. Out of focus and impossible to make a good reprint.

Check the wheels on the tear their huge and enclosed in the body.

Yup Kens...I spotted that...artillery wheels...they're the best for that vintage look! I don't have them enclosed...paid too much $$ for them. They need to be seen! Doug

Gage, please try and relax a bit, your response wasn’t relevant to the posters question in my opinion. And Kudos’ on your watertight Hatch build!

Jerry,
Those photos of your Mom and Dad are priceless. Do you know where they were camping at?

Your Mom is beautiful and your Dad looked very macho and cool with that cigar in his right hand.