Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Okay I am almost to the point of putting on the aluminum and I was going to use insert molding on the roof/wall joint. I have called all the RV places around and they only have it in white. I need it in mill finish in 16ft lengths. I have two questions:
1) Where can I get this stuff?!
2) If I have to get it in 8ft sections how do you splice them together and make it look good?
3) My other option would be to use regular aluminum angle and anneal it. Has anyone done this? Any pointers?

Fender question:
How do you bolt the fender on through aluminum skin? I assume you don't use regular wood screws through the fiberglass and aluminum, correct?

Thank you.
Ryan

Aint2Proud wrote:Okay ... I was going to use insert molding on the roof/wall joint ... I need it in mill finish in 16ft lengths. I have two questions:
1) Where can I get this stuff?!

If you can't find it at your local RV suppliers, I've got it: www.LiLBear.teardrops.net/parts.html ... in both Regular Lip (3/8") and Wide Lip (5/8") ... sorry, 8' lengths only

2) If I have to get it in 8ft sections how do you splice them together and make it look good?

A good butt-joint doesn't look too bad, but you could always add a little JB Weld ...

Fender question:
How do you bolt the fender on through aluminum skin? I assume you don't use regular wood screws through the fiberglass and aluminum, correct?

I recommend through-bolting, as long as your wall structure will support it. Stainless steel bolts (button-head allen bolts with 1-1/2" ss fender washers work best and look good) pushed through from the inside, then 1-1/2" ss fender washers against the fiberglass and ss lock-nuts ... use either fender welting or closed-cell weather stripping between fender and trailer body. Depending on the style & size of the fender, 4 or 5 bolts per are more than enough ... though that also depends on the quality of the 'glass work.

Hope that helps! Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

Grant

Aint2Proud wrote:Okay I am almost to the point of putting on the aluminum and I was going to use insert molding on the roof/wall joint. I have called all the RV places around and they only have it in white. I need it in mill finish in 16ft lengths. I have two questions:
1) Where can I get this stuff?!
2) If I have to get it in 8ft sections how do you splice them together and make it look good?
3) My other option would be to use regular aluminum angle and anneal it. Has anyone done this? Any pointers?

Fender question:
How do you bolt the fender on through aluminum skin? I assume you don't use regular wood screws through the fiberglass and aluminum, correct?

Thank you.
Ryan

Ryan, I don't know where you can get it locally but Interstate metals in Oregon carries it in different sizes and finishes. They have a website.

You could use a nylon pad to remove the finish. I use one on mill finish to smooth out the finish and remove scratches.

I make a 15 degree cut in the insert molding at the flat area of the roof where the fan is and butt the other 15 degree cut to it. It's hardly noticeable.
Some builders including myself use "T" nuts on the inside and map the location before the aluminum is applied. I put 1/8" Oak plywood over the interior walls so you never see the "T" nuts. Use stainless steel bolts and washers to affix the fenders to the wall. Danny

Aint2Proud wrote:Okay I am almost to the point of putting on the aluminum and I was going to use insert molding on the roof/wall joint. I have called all the RV places around and they only have it in white. I need it in mill finish in 16ft lengths. I have two questions:
1) Where can I get this stuff?!
2) If I have to get it in 8ft sections how do you splice them together and make it look good?
3) My other option would be to use regular aluminum angle and anneal it. Has anyone done this? Any pointers?

Fender question:
How do you bolt the fender on through aluminum skin? I assume you don't use regular wood screws through the fiberglass and aluminum, correct?

Thank you.
Ryan

Just spray some paint remover on the white finish and let it soak. I will come right off. Polish it with 0000 steel wool. Be aware that the newer stuff has a narrow channel and not the wide style like the old style.

I agree that it's better to have the 16' lenght and not have to slice something that was cut up for UPS shipping.

Anyone have a source in Orange County (or Southern Ca) for extruded trim?

I'm just outside of Goldsboro, NC and Daly RV should have the trim you are looking. Thats about an hour from you, but I would think some of the larger RV dealers in your area will have the molding in stock.

Edit: Daly RV phone # is 919-734-4616 or 1-800-972-8995 and is located about 5 miles west of Goldsboro (the Raleigh side of Hwy 70).