Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I finally got all the rust gone and the primer on. Now with no hail storms or any other crazy weather I may get moving. Unfortunately the paint I really want requires a 85 mile round trip and I am not sure how much to buy.




Miriam

It really doesnt matter how much paint you buy. It will either not be enough or it will be so much that you will say, what was I thinking. I believe it is not possible to buy the correct amount of anything that has to do with a teardrop. I've heard the term teardrop time, well, I think it is a zone, like the Bermuda triangle. Time sometimes goes so fast that is seems like nothing gets done or it goes so slow and you wonder why didn't I do it like that in the first place. That was easy. Same with parts or paint or anything. The best we can hope for is that we all eventually finish a trailer we are happy with and get to spend some memorable time camping.
Brwbier

Who said Miriam was being a bit slow with her build?
You should get away with a quart (we call it a litre) of paint. That's all I bought for mine and, after two coats, I still have some left.
You're not that far behind me Miriam
Cheers
Paul

Thanks for the encouragement Brwbier and Paul.

Your probably right about the paint amount. Won't be enough. I have decided to paint something less flamboyant and more accessable.

We got the new shackels on the springs and now have 2" clearance for the wheels. What a job that was. Don't try this at home girls unless you have a compressor or a really strong someone to help. 100# of torgue.

If we had to do it again I would turn it over and use a really long cheater bar. That or hit the bolt with a hammer then put the nut on.

It is raining again so finishing the paint won't work. Can I put a floor on without painting?

perhaps some fishing!
Miriam

Hi M, I would'nt recommend putting the floor on without having the trailer all nice and sealed. I'm a little paranoid about moisture and tight places, weird considering I live in the driest state in the driest continent in the world
Cheers
Paul

Looks nice, Miriam. Keep going!

Miriam,

You've got a great start with that frame! One milestone down. I always enjoy reaching significant points in the building process. It helps me keep from getting discouraged about my progress. As silly as it sounds, when I feel like I'm not getting anywhere I go back through my website and look at all the progress pictures. It quickly brings back to mind just how much work I've already done. Another couple of years and I'll have her all wrapped up!

We may be outnumbered, but I think us ladies are making a strong showing!

Joanne

Miriam C. wrote:I finally got all the rust gone and the primer on. Now with no hail storms or any other crazy weather I may get moving. Unfortunately the paint I really want requires a 85 mile round trip and I am not sure how much to buy.




Miriam

We may be outnumbered, but I think us ladies are making a strong showing!

Joanne

Joanne when I look at the work you and the others have done it is encouraging. I really would have had a harder time putting the shackles on alone. Mike is strong enough to make it look easy but I tried myself and could only get a few turns. Afraid the welder would have had to do it. (He has a compressor.)

Guys where would we be with out you? I resisted all day going ahead with the paint inspite of the humidity and rain. It rained so hard here my daughter in law got nervious and we live on a hill. didn't rain in Joplin at all.

I will visit my paint shop and get something that doesn't care about humidity and paint in the garage. Hang a lot of plastic, get masks and goggles. NO Pictures!!!! Don't wanna scare anyone.

Miriam

Nice frame! I just took a good look at my frame and it needs some touching up. You can always use the extra paint you buy on another project. So extra paint, is there such a thing?

The paint is on!!!
Well I got all the rust gone. 2 coats of primer and three coats of low gloss black paint. I know black is a cop out but we couldn't decide on a color we both liked so we compromised. (thats like not getting what ya want, but being ok with it.) What I wanted was $557 a quart. Duh!!
The other was 50 a quart and Mike didn't want Rasberry. Can't imagine why not.

The 12v wires are on and cheappy lights are working. Have to rewire the van cause the wires are old.

There is one issue- the blinkers both blink if the lights are on and either turn signal is flipped. Don't think it is a trailer issue (unless the cheapy lights). Any ideas welcome.

Now if it will stop raining I can go get my wood.

Have a great evening.
Miriam

Hi Miriam, Sounds like you have an earth problem with power leaking through. Make sure all earths have a good contact to the frame and that the earth lead on the vehicle is the same.
Cheers
Paul

Gee Paul could you have thought of something nice for me to do.
Maybe kids will wash the underside for me first. Dirty!!!

I know it is not the trailer wire cause I replaced all and did it right. The van however was ratty so I replaced the pigtail. I guess tommorow I will go out and check/replace from the beginning.

Being lazy!
Miriam

Sorry Miriam. I've just had a thought(Iknow it was a thought because it made my head hurt ) If the lights worked okay when you bought it home, what's changed to make it any different--only the trailer wiring.
Cheers
Paul

PS How come you're up so late?

Me, up late! The baby won't take her 10pm feeding from anyone else.

As I remember, there was a problem with the blinkers on the way home. I didn't turn the lights on cause it was daytime. I turned them on this time because I didn't want to do all this building and have to come back and chase something down. Only happens when the head lights are on. Everything is perfect till then.

You may be right about the short. The van has yellow/brown from one side and green/brown from the other and they are joined before the plug which is spliced in. It doesn't make sense to me for it to only happen when the lights are on. I don't know what changes cause I don't really have a good understanding of how the wiring I can't see is done. The lights all come on, the brake lights are fine but the blinkers won't work independantly with the head lights on even though they work when the head lights are off.

Thanks for the help.
Miriam

Miriam...in response to a way earlier post regarding tightening bolts...without a "guy" or a compressor...use a "cheater" pipe on the ratchet/breaker bar handle....an extra 18" or 2' will make you invincible....just slip it onto the handle and wrench away...however, a ratchet can be broken doing this...I never have...just my user beware warning....just an idea, but you may have thought about that....Doug