Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **GeorgeT** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:45 pm

Well today I finally finished all construction on the exterior including installing all the aluminum trim and pop up locks and such. Now I have to remove the trim and hardware, take it apart and paint it. Here's a few pics of the pop up without the top so's you can see the fold up sides better. The pop up roof weighs 54.4 lbs with the hardware and trim. I only lift one end at a time so I figure I'm lifting about 35 to 40 lbs. Not bad but doubt my wife could pop it up. It has taken me 5 1/2 months to get this far. Will be another month or so to finish the interior cabinets, flooring, painting and curtains. Whew! :SH

by **SteveH** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:06 pm

Lookin' good, George. It will definately be unique. Now, get busy and get that thing finished so we can see it at the next gathering. :thumbsup:

by **Woody** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:15 pm

Nice job,

I was disappointed though I was hoping for :thinking:

a different "Type of Topless" :twisted:

not to take anything away from your craftmanship. Great Job

by **frankc67** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 1:37 am

Very cool trailer GeorgeT, may i ask how the top fastens to the foldup sides on top. Also, what are your overall dimensions ? Are you gone to create a build joural/website ? if you don't have one allready. Thanks...

by **beverlyt** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:37 am

George,
I liked it before... it looks even better with all that trim.
Can't wait to see it painted!

Bev

by **mikeschn** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:08 am

Looking good George...

So do you have a journal out there? We gotta get you into the hall of fame!!!

Mike...

P.S. What kind of paint are you planning on using?

by **GeorgeT** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 1:25 pm

frankc67 wrote:Very cool trailer GeorgeT, may i ask how the top fastens to the foldup sides on top. Also, what are your overall dimensions ? Are you gone to create a build joural/website ? if you don't have one allready. Thanks...

The top just sits on top. Actually it sits on four bolts heads that rest on top of the aluminum side trim on top of the camper so the weatherstrip isn't crushed too much. The bolts are adjustable so I can make the weatherstrip squish just the amount needed. Should help the longevity of the weatherstrip too. When going down the road I have installed pull down latches (the kind that are used on pop tent trailers) on the outside to hold it down. When popped up there are two thumbscrews on the inside that hold the top to the sides which is sufficient to keep it from being lifted off or blowing off. You can see in the pic where all four sides are up the little hole above the window where the thumbscrew goes through. Another on opposing side. The thumbscrews and barrel bolts in each of the corners of the sides make it rock solid. No wiggle, no slop.

The camper is 5 feet wide and 8 feet long and 4 feet tall. I can stand up in it with the top popped with about 1 1/2 inches clearance. I am 5'8" tall.

A journal. No. Haven't had time. Have a lot of photos of the build.
Maybe when I finish I'll take the time to put the process up on a website.

Paint. Dunno yet. Will more'n likely be some kind of gloss exterior oil base. Am thinking of using sign enamels like Ronan or Bulletin One-Shot as they do well on outdoor signage. Maybe Devoe's high gloss Mirrolac. The camper will be garage kept.

Here's the drawdown lock and the adjustable bolt head I's talking about.

by **Ken** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:41 pm

Definitely outstanding ideas and workmanship. Where did you get the drawdown lock?

by **GeorgeT** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:03 pm

Thanks. I got the latches online from Crestview RV located in Buda, Texas. Look under hardware/locks and latches and go page 5. Delivery was fast. http://www.crestviewrv.com/html2/PartsCat.html :thumbsup:

by **davel** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:11 pm

George,

I agree with SteveH, we're all ready to see that beautiful trailer in person. :thumbsup:

by **angib** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:33 pm

GeorgeT wrote:A journal. No. Haven't had time. Have a lot of photos of the build.
Maybe when I finish I'll take the time to put the process up on a website.

George,

I would like, at some time, to draw up some plans of your trailer and put them on my web site, as I think quite a few people would be interested in building it - it hasn't got those scary curves!

If this is OK with you, when I'm doing it I'll contact you for a few more details, like the wheelarch size and so on.

Andrew

by **GeorgeT** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:04 pm

angib wrote:
GeorgeT wrote:A journal. No. Haven't had time. Have a lot of photos of the build.
Maybe when I finish I'll take the time to put the process up on a website.

George,

I would like, at some time, to draw up some plans of your trailer and put them on my web site, as I think quite a few people would be interested in building it - it hasn't got those scary curves!

If this is OK with you, when I'm doing it I'll contact you for a few more details, like the wheelarch size and so on.

Andrew

No problem. No curves, only 90 degrees, 45 degrees, and 22.5 degree angles.

by **BobR** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:50 pm

George...outstanding design and execution...Andrew, I can't wait to see what you do. The more detail the better....

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

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