Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I've been fooling around with my HF trailer for a couple of months, but I have finally made a little progress "above the floor." Here are a few pictures that my fiancee (Brandy) took while I was "working." I am cutting a template from MDF board. Later, I'll clamp plywood to it and use a router to make my inner and outer walls.


Here I am placing screws for the string.


Drawing the curves.


Here is the rough cut shape.

The next step is to belt-sand it down to the exact shape. I'll get that done sometime this week.

Great profile Greg! Now for some real sawdust!

Nice shape. Your going to be hooked now. Lol
Bill

Great profile Greg! Now for some real sawdust!

Thanks... but I'm Jesse, not Greg... lol!

McBrew wrote:Here I am placing screws for the string.

Good photos - may I steal them to add to the ellipse-drawing guide?

Any problems with 'string stretch' and what did you use? Just regular organic string?

Andrew

angib wrote:

McBrew wrote:Here I am placing screws for the string.

Good photos - may I steal them to add to the ellipse-drawing guide?

Any problems with 'string stretch' and what did you use? Just regular organic string?

Andrew

If they will help at all, please use them! The string I used was a little stretchy, but it helped to make everything line up. It was just some construction string that I've used for everything from plumb bob work to pouring concrete.

I used my planer and belt sander to get the shape of the MDF template finished up today.

I also worked out the location of the axle... which wasn't as straight forward as I had hoped. Those Harbor Freight trailers aren't perfectly square . Oh well. The axle is clamped into position... I just need to drill and bolt it onto the frame. I guess I'll need to remove the axle and bolt the brackets to the frame, then reinstall the axle to the brackets.

I am seriously thinking about a painted roof instead of bare aluminum. What about Filon? y RV has a Filon roof and it is some tough stuff. I am guessing it isn't too hard to paint. I am thinking a green roof would go well with the woody sides.

I got the frame drilled and the axle bolted into place today! I also finished bolting down the wood frame to the trailer and stapled the floor onto that. Finally, I primed the top of the floor so that I can put the vinyl tiles on and I finished painting the frame black.

H ey;
Looks good. Looks like your on your way.
Enjoy the build.
Bill

After taking a shower, cooling off, and having a gin & tonic (like spinach to Popeye), I headed back down to the garage and laid the floor tiles. They're standard 12" vinyl Armstrong tiles.



It's going to be a while before I can devote some real time to the project. I've got to work all this weekend, then my soon-to-be inlaws are throwing us an engagement party next weekend up in Gettysburg, and then I work the following weekend.

I will have October 3rd off... hopefully I can get something done that day.

Jesse,

Looking good! Should really start taking shape now.

BTW: If you have time while in Gettysburg, go visit the new Visitor's Center. It is really great!! Of course, I am a Civil War buff of sorts!!

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I just hate having nearly three weeks where I won't be able to do any serious work on it. I went out last week and bought the air conditioner and I was just in time... a lot of stores have stopped selling them for the year. I was able to snag an electronic 6,000 BTU unit for $105!

Hi Jesse,

As a fellow Cub builder I will follow your build with anticipation! I am in the home stretch on mine and I know how it feels knowing it is in the garage calling to you to spend some time with it!

Great looking floor, Jesse. Be careful not to damage it when you finish the interior. I put my floor tiles in last because I knew I would hog it up if i didn't. Sure enough, I slopped drops of glue and varnish on my plywood floor, then just covered them up with tile!
Sam

It's been a LONG time, folks... I've been working a lot... got married... having a baby... whew!

Since I have limited time and an even more limited budget, I have scrapped the Cub design and am going for a generic Benroy. I switched from sandwich type walls to just 3/4" ply. The roof and floor will still be insulated. It is 4' wide to cut down on wind resistance and weight, since it will be towed by a subcompact car.

In two days, I got the walls cut, doors cut out, most of the roof spars put in, and got a good start on the cabinets. Here's a lousy cell phone pic includeing my two helpers: