Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Well, a year and halfs worth of work ruined over the weekend with a constant rain. Denver all summer hasn't had any rain except last weekend where we had two + days of constant rain. My wife and I were in Pennsylvania visting the inlaws. When we returned I notices some swellng but didn't think much of it. I let the trailer sit for another week uncovered then decided to open it up yesterday to check if it had any damage. Oh! it's got damage, if the temp. galley drawers could catch anymore of the incoming water I could have had several gallons. there's mold on all the wood that got exposed to water the floor swelled a little the side walls that connect to the floor near the back end swelled the battery shows oxidation due to excess moister and the worst of all of it is on either side of the hurricane hinge on the outside the roof is seperating from the side walls allowing more water to do it work, and some of the side wall in the front is also swelling and splitting away from the roof. . I thought when I had the problem of the galley door not lining up to the side walls when shut was my biggest problem but now I have this.

My wife says I should pay someone to fix it or help me fix it. I don't know what to do. The galley door is really the culprit for all of this, so that is my first step to fixing it.

Currently I bought a tarp and it's covered just in case, just wish I had a garage.

Sad Sad man,

Mike

Don't depend on just a tarp to protect it!
During my build I had my teardrop covered by a blue tarp and of course it leaked and I thought the damage was going to be enough to have to start all over. After the plywood dried out on mine, most of the damage was very minor, some warpage that I can live with.

Oh man, that is terrible! What a beautiful Teardrop too... You said that the walls were separating in the front too, so maybe there were other sealing issues besides the galley? I don't know the solution, but I offer my condolences anyway.

Oh man, that is awful. That is such a nice teardrop. Is there any way to fix it?



Mike...

Oh, No!!!

I'm so sorry.

How to fix it?? Well I'm going to start with the galley door, I have to remove it and check out what I can do to fix it. The splitting wood away from the top and sides I may just let it dry out really good and re seal it with epoxy I may also have to drive a screw in just to add a little more support.

mike

WOW...that's a shame. Hope you can fix it!!! Maybe I ought to run out in the garage and check some seals, put a few more coats of epoxy on.....

First off go get yourself an EZ-up with sides (or a brand 'X') and garage it. You say it cost to much? Well it's your teardrop. Let it sit and dry out. Then go after it. Don't blame it all on the hinge. Blame it on the fact that you didn't use some common sense. The hinge is the least of your worries. When my tear is outside (at home), it has a car cover over it. Living out in the desert, you never know when a thunder storm is going to pop up. Your teardrop looks real nice and I'm sorry it happened but don't get in a hurry to fix it or you'll end up having to fix it again. Oh, and like it has been said, don't use a blue tarp. It'll just cause more troubles.

I know about the blue tarps this time I bought a silver one from HF it was a bit more money but seems like it will hold up better. Yep, going to try to take my time fixing it. Currently it's sitting in the sun drying. I may just start on the interior cabinets while it's drying out. Thanks for the advise.

Mike

First off go get yourself an EZ-up with sides (or a brand 'X') and garage it.

Gage I've tried the ez up, actually I had a 10x20 with tarped sides it almost worked for the entire fall and winter, but the winds out here are brutle luckily I was able to get it off of craigs list for only $75 so when the alum. legs decided to snap I wasn't too worried about losing out on so much money. I'm just going to stick to a heavier duty tarp for now.

Mike

benzu wrote:

First off go get yourself an EZ-up with sides (or a brand 'X') and garage it.

Gage I've tried the ez up, actually I had a 10x20 with tarped sides it almost worked for the entire fall and winter, but the winds out here are brutle luckily I was able to get it off of craigs list for only $75 so when the alum. legs decided to snap I wasn't too worried about losing out on so much money. I'm just going to stick to a heavier duty tarp for now.

Mike

Mike if you still have the material from the EZ Up then you can use it for the cover. Get some tarp clamps (the kind with holes in them) and tie it down. Might be you can make a frame for it so it is off the TD.

Sorry for the mess. It certainly is a beautiful TD.

PS, you fiber glassed so I am wondering how water got in to damage the front????????????? Maybe I am not understanding

Nice fish there Mariam!!!

PS, you fiber glassed so I am wondering how water got in to damage the front????????????? Maybe I am not understanding

Miram, I did not fiberglass it's just all epoxy, what I'm guessing happened is that I let it stand out in the sun a little too long and the epoxy got brittle from the UV rays, I'm getting the whole thing clear coated with automotive clear as soon as I'm done but for right now its not uv protected. At least I know what happens to Epoxy when it's exposed to the sun for long period of time. Live and learn I guess.

Also that the top to the tent has been abused way too much it now going into the trash.

Thanks for everyone thoughts,

Mike

I hope you can fix your TD. On another note... about the EZ-up/awning blowin in the wind. Someone gave me a tip when using an overhead awning. Use some of the nylon strap tie downs. Hook it to the frame underneath the trailer (or car) and cinch it down. You can also hook two long straps together underneath. Using the teardrop as your anchor, it should stay put. Any other suggestions?

cuyeda wrote:I hope you can fix your TD. On another note... about the EZ-up/awning blowin in the wind. Someone gave me a tip when using an overhead awning. Use some of the nylon strap tie downs. Hook it to the frame underneath the trailer (or car) and cinch it down. You can also hook two long straps together underneath. Using the teardrop as your anchor, it should stay put. Any other suggestions?

Oh what a good idea.