Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Having one heck of a time fitting the hatch . I've adjusted this and adjusted that , beat ,banged ,sanded , screwed ,unscrewed , cussed ,broken stuff , patched , braced .
I built it like instructed and watched others do in here and i guess the mistake i made was in making it to tight of a fit . I had my hatch frame sitting preatty in its home with about 3/16 on each side . looked good so i moved to next step of putting the luan skin on outside of hatch. Here is were i screwed up , having to use straps on it to draw luan in tight to frame i think ( or now no) i pulled the hatch frame to a tighter radius than the tear drop frame radius that once fit like a glove . So i was thinking about it for days and yes i did loose sleep over it i thought and thought how i could fix my mistake . so it came to mind that i havent yet cut the notch in the wall of teardrop frame yet so i was thinking i could use the notching to fix my problem of not fittting exact . i waited to the last minute to cut this notch because it is critical i think (right ) . I have been very cautious not to screw any thing up in the final build of teardrop i have not worked on it in 3 weeks or more because of this problem i have been real bumbed out a bout it . So moving on , I notch the thing and it goes back to being a good fit not a glove like fit but getting better so i put on this edge trim with weather seal buit on it already and when i closed the hatch the first time it ripped and shaved the seal off badly
i notched it good i thought but i guess it wasnt enuff im scared to notch more it seems it only meeds it at the very bottom my hatch resembles a ( J ) shaped hatch so i guess you could say the bottom of (J) is needing more notch cut out on frame wall im just scared as hell of it It is the the outside of my wall that will be exsposed to view and i dont want to big of a gap there and once cut you cant turn back In notching you dont want to much cut out cause i already goy 1/2 inch im just thinking i should scrap this hatch and start over what would be a suggestion from others about the hatch shaving and or scissoring the trim seal when it closes ill post some pics to detail maybe to help describe problem . Maybe i need to take some radius out of frame wall or just notch more just really scared
Norm

PIC OF FRAME WALL RADIUS WITH TRIM SEAL ON

PIC WITH HATCH FITTING LIKE A GLOVE

PIC STRAPING THE SKIN ON

PIC OF EDGE SEAL AND TRIM SEAL I USED

First thing I noticed is you are building outside and the wood is unsealed. Wood tends to swell with moisture. Doesn't need to get physically wet, but it will absorb moisture from the air

And who on here has a humidity controlled shop ??

Can you try reversing the strapping process and relax the bend of the hatch.

Put a couple 2x4 spreaders top to bottom. Cut them long and put them in at an angle then pull them square.

Ya just "bent" it so "bend" it back

bobhenry wrote:And who on here has a humidity controlled shop ??

Uhhm I do.

bobhenry wrote:And who on here has a humidity controlled shop ??

What's humidity?

I notched the side wall down about 1/2 inch where the hatch sits. I then put a piece of aluminum strip along that edge, and then put my rubber seal on the underside of the hatch.....I like the seal you have but being on both sides of the side wall it obviously cuts down on any "play" you have between hatch and wall......come on down to Culpeper and I'll show you. you can then see if it'll work for you.
Philip

I can see where springback would be a problem on such a tight radius, and only 4 vertical spars... And the outside spars were not doubled up...

You have two options at this point...

1) build a new hatch

2) try to repair the one you've got.

If it were me, I'd build a new one, and given the sharp radius, I would double up all 4 of your vertical spars. Better yet, build the with baltic birch, which has many more plys than regular plywood.

Of course, if you want to try to save the hatch you have, you might try gluing spacers to the vertical spars, starting first with the far left and far right spar...

Mike...

P.S. You won't be the first person to build a hatch more than once!!!

Greetings Norm in Virginia.

I noticed that you have some problems with your hatch. Beautiful tear you have built too. I thought Id chime in and let you know I have no garage at all to build in.

Also I must admit I built my tear hatch twice also so its not anything to be embarrassed about nor scared. Im glad I built the 2nd one because the 1st I wasnt happy with and 2ndly just some how it didnt fit. And the story goes on Take it as a learning process. Ask questions and carefully think out the next steps, no need to rush building the hatch. Measure it and measure it once more.

This was the first I ever attempted in my entire life. I promise you the 2nd will succeed. Parts of the build gave me the jitters but I overcame all of that and now I can say the 3rd hatch will be better yet.

Also I built mine in the darkness of winter here using a 500 watt light under the Arctic Skies. I used Finnish Baltic Birch "Marine" grade Ply. then skinned it with fiberglass. and vinyl on top of it. But thats just me.

Myself Id think your better off to rebuild the hatch. I,ll post some pics of it.
Also the insides were caulked such as you have done however on the 2nd one I didnt.

You have a great looking tear so take your time with a new hatch.

Classic Finn

I ran into the same "spring-back" problem with a larger radius than yours.

I rebuilt my hatch with better materials and greater experience, but before I skinned it I pre stressed the skin. I rolled it up and wrapped it with tiedown straps like those in your pic. I left it in the yard for a couple of weeks rolled up and let the southern humidity do its thing.

When I applied the skin,the skin had more curve than my hatch.

YRMV

Here are a few photos of the way I built it. It may not be the right way but its my way. And it works nicely.
Top and Bottom is made of Oak. I also doubled up the ends. Notice the small cross pieces for support also.

Also check the time on the photo Garage, ohh yes Under The Arctic Garage. And humidity? Not to mention darkness







I also pieced it together in the living. (Course the wife was away)





and skinning: I used 2 x 3mm thick Finnish Marine Grade Birch Sheets laminated together. Also I can say there is no so called spring back.


All done outside in the dark of winter.

I ran into the same "spring-back" problem with a larger radius than yours.

I rebuilt my hatch with better materials and greater experience, but before I skinned it I pre stressed the skin. I rolled it up and wrapped it with tiedown straps like those in your pic. I left it in the yard for a couple of weeks rolled up and let the southern humidity do its thing.

When I applied the skin,the skin had more curve than my hatch.

YRMV

Creamcracker wrote:I notched the side wall down about 1/2 inch where the hatch sits. I then put a piece of aluminum strip along that edge, and then put my rubber seal on the underside of the hatch.....I like the seal you have but being on both sides of the side wall it obviously cuts down on any "play" you have between hatch and wall......come on down to Culpeper and I'll show you. you can then see if it'll work for you.
Philip

Philip thats what I did as well. Also I learned that the hatch doesnt need to be as thick as what Ive built. It can be built lighter as well.

I am going to put everybodies ideas in this and im certain i can get it worked out like mike said i wouldnt be the first to have to rebuild the hatch . Cream cracker im gonna have to make it over there real soon to check your seal job out still waiting for more input folks Norm

norm's tear drop wrote:I am going to put everybodies ideas in this and im certain i can get it worked out like mike said i wouldnt be the first to have to rebuild the hatch . Cream cracker im gonna have to make it over there real soon to check your seal job out still waiting for more input folks Norm

Norm in just a short you,ll have it solved. You,ll be showing new pics soon. Then you,ll be a happy camper.

You wont be the 1st to build over if you so decide and certainly not the last

Classic Finn