Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm smitten by the woodies, but haven't been able to discern after looking at several pics: Is the external framework of a woody functional or merely aesthetic? How is the framework attached? How is moisture sealed out from between frame and panel? Is there a woody build journal that I've missed? Thanks.

tk

tk wrote:I'm smitten by the woodies, but haven't been able to discern after looking at several pics: Is the external framework of a woody functional or merely aesthetic? How is the framework attached? How is moisture sealed out from between frame and panel? Is there a woody build journal that I've missed? Thanks.

tk

Check out Steve F's webpage... also check out the Lil Diner build journal, in the Hall of Fame.

Mike...

P.S. To answer your question, Steve glues in the foam using epoxy. So the wood sides are sealed, inside and out...!

Good quality wood and good building practices covered with a good finish coat and you're all set.

Those with the expertise build with wood, God's material.

The rest cover it with man's material, plastics and metals.

The external slats on mine are functional. I used 1/2" plywood on the sides and 3/4" slats, this 1 1/4" gave me plenty of meat to attach my Aluminum roof, its 1/8" luan backing and corner molding. Plus my trailer is about 9' 4" so I had to splice and lengthen the plywood...the joint is hidden by one of the slats.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/len19070/ ... /my_photos

Happy Trails

Len

On mine, I used 5/16 maple that I applied over the mohogany sides...it's just for looks, and the sides are all epoxy sealed prior to installing the framing, which is also epoxy coated and then is all clearcoated...Doug

Thanks for the responses.

Mike, I've looked at Steve's build journals--what I had in mind were the woodies with the exrternal frames and how to seal that outer frame to the main wall panel. I should have been more clear. Too often, I know what I'm talking about but fail to let the rest of the world in on the secret!

Old Timer--Amen!

Len, your Slumbercoach is what hooked me on a woody. At present I'm torn between the elegance of your traditional design and a design of less beauty with more (personalized) function. I like the idea of attaching the roof to the external frame. I had been thinking of doing a built-up curved molding to follow the roofline and then use a strip-built roof covered with clear fiberglass, but your method is a lot simpler.

Doug, that's just the info I was looking for. Did you use epoxy as an adhesive as well to join the maple to the mahogany or how did you attach the frame?

Thanks again, all.

tk

Yes TK....used epoxy to attach the framing on the sides, countersunk for screws, after it cured, I pulled the screws and installed a maple plug, flush fit and then a quick touchup on the plugs with epoxy prior to clear coat...Doug

tk, my woody is built as simply as possible. The exterior framework, which is 3/16" lauan plywood is the only one there is. Holds up the roof and supports the hatch lid. I glued and screwed the sides to the wood douglas fir floor members that are bolted to the top of the frame. I have no problem with moisture between the frame and the side panels, because I covered the entire bottom with plywood and shot the whole bottom side with line-x truckbed liner.

This may not be the accepted structural way to build a teardrop, but glued and screwed connections have worked for me since I was an apprentice carpenter way back in 1950. All I want my tear to do is last for another 27 years, so I can celebrate my 100th birthday in it at a Gathering, whose location has yet to be determined.

Good luck on your woody build, and listen to Doug for good structual advice, he has a beauty that will outlast the Micky-mouse builds.

Roly, a lil' ol' woody builder, that is still learning............ :-)

Roly, I finally got a chance to go through your whole set of pics. Very impressive work. I, too, thought of hanging the molding of the hatch over the sidewalls. Has that worked as far as keeping moisture out of the galley? Did you use any additional seals?

Thanks for the response,

Tom

Tom, the way I designed my hatch lid sides was a bit of an experiment, since I had only seen one other teardrop before my build. Getting a good, solid connection to the hatch lid was of concern, but that seemed to work out just fine. What I was trying to do was to have the curved pine members on the upper sidewalls of the tear, extend all along the length of the lid.

Knowing that gravity would shed the water when standing still, my main concern was what would happen while blowing down the interstate at 70 mph in a rain storm. That happened the first time out a few years ago, when I spent 3 days in the rain at The Shasta Dam Gathering. To my surprise, no water entry at the sides, dispite the lack of any weather seals on the hatch sides. It works for me, so go for it. By the way, if it leaks, I will deny ever having written this post.

Roly, planning on sanding and a slapping on another coat of varathane, then down to the Sweetwater Gathering in 2 weeks. Wood is good!