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Steel Clad Teardrop ?

PostPosted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:57 pm
by Roo Dog
We used pre-painted steel to clad our Teardrop. Known as Colorbond in Oz. We used a nibbler to cut it to size.
The steel is glued on the ply with aluminum checker plate on the bottom sections to protect the steel from stone damage.
The weight penalty was minimal.
We had little knowledge of Teardrops when we built the TD, had seen a few pictures which resulted in some chalk outline drawings on the back patio. In hindsight there would be a few things we would do differently.

Take it easy.

SD

Re: Steel Clad Teardrop ?

PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:48 pm
by woodywrkng
This looks very interesting, in design and features. Some more pictures please.

Re: Steel Clad Teardrop ?

PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 6:44 pm
by Roo Dog
Woody,

Galley area.

Stowage under the galley deck.

The hatch is a mixture of aluminum and steel sheet as are the main doors.

It is a work in progress as most Teardrops are I guess.

Ignore the camera date, I am a bit slack when it comes to that sort of thing.

Take it easy.

RD

Re: Steel Clad Teardrop ?

PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:07 pm
by Roo Dog
Woody,

A couple more.

RD

Re: Steel Clad Teardrop ?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:47 pm
by mallymal
Greetings from the UK. That's a lovely looking teardrop you've built! I've often wondered about thin steel sheet - they use it everywhere for hoardings round the edge of buildings sites etc over here.... it must go somewhere when the job's over! :twisted:

Re: Steel Clad Teardrop ?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:09 pm
by Roo Dog
MM,

'Owisya?

Ref the steel sheet we used.

Colorbond comes in a variety of colors. The version we used is painted for signage and appears to well covered as a result.

We live around 400 metres back from the Southern Ocean and the salt spray covers every damn thing.
I lay in bed of a night time and listen to the cars in the car port slowly converting themselves to ferrous oxide but so far the Teardrop has shown no signs of rust spots. Mind you it gets liberally sprayed with silicon polish on a regular basis. The chassis and checker plate is also powder coated.

It took about a year to build of very part time labor. There are still some jobs to be done but it is being used between times.

Not that I am planning another build but I would like to build a Woody.

Take it easy.

RD

Re: Steel Clad Teardrop ?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:25 pm
by woodywrkng
I like it. It looks more like something made in a factory as opposed to made in a garage. The hatch is unique. How is it hinged?

Re: Steel Clad Teardrop ?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:44 pm
by Roo Dog
WW,

'Owisya ?

SIL and myself built the wee beastie.
The hatch hinges are the same as the side door hinges. Plastic gate hinges ex the local hardware store, externally mounted. The roof hatch is a marine product.
Door windows are stock caravan wind outs.
The interior is still basic. No cupboards as yet, just shelves, as we wanted to see what worked for us first. The interior sides are lined with hull liner (carpet).
The concept was to use it for only a couple or three days at a time, no long trips, hence it is fairly minimal in set up.

Take it easy.

RD