Colorado_Carter Teardrop Build

[Colorado_Carter]

I only had one solid day to work, but I finished skinning the hatch and prepped the window and door seals to install. Then with a litle help on sunday we man handled the hatch into place(for the last time I hope) and installed the window and door.

Getting closer and getting warmer.

[KCStudly]

Looking good, looking really good!

[Colorado_Carter]

Tick Tock! Finally a warm weekend! I can feel the camping bug calling me, haunting me, more precisely its taunting me. "Doug your not done yet-you'll never be done-no camping for you." I say "OI!"

So this weekend I installed the interior electrical system. I would like to make it a complicated system, but tempis fugit - I need to ignore the possiblitlies and focus on practicality and useability. So with that in mind, I kept it simple a 12V system for lights and 110 for charging the battery (and one recepticle)This included an exterior plug for charging and a charger/tender. I put in a deep cycle battery with a main on/off switch. I installed a on/off switch for the galley lights, and a 12v plug. I completed the installation of a fuse panel and wrapped it all up. I have a gut feeling that placing the battery in the upper shelf is going to be a mistake. There isnt much room left in there-it will be a huge PITA to change a fuse. It might get moved to the bottom at some point. I also installed the exterior lights, and marker lights. The fan I installed last week. I used that butyl tape-one layer wasn't enough so I added two. Now it looks like a chimney. I plan on tearing it out and reinstalling it with the factory foam. Hopefully that will lessen the gap between the skin and the fan.

The short list right now is trim out the galley hatch, put on fenders, license plate and put in a mattress. I think it will be camp ready at that point.

[Colorado_Carter]

It's been awhile and progress has been painfully slow.

I completed installing all the trim for the hatch and one up front. That was a just time consuming to make it look nice, be strong and be functional. With a little luck the hatch is pretty water tight. All driving lights are installed(and working) the license plate is on. I put a foam mattress in, and hung a couple coat hooks.

I have two big items to work on. The fenders are the big one, to make it road worthy and ready to go. The second is the latch handles, Upon retrospect I may have gone a different style. The big hang up is the latch is at one angle and due to the curve the handle is at another. They don't mesh real well. My plan is to buy a couple 1/4" universal socket drives, then glue/pin/weld one to the end of the bar. I think that will solve the problem, has anyone else tried this?

In addition there is a myriad of little items to tend to: touch up paint in the inside and galley, make a thingy to keep the stove in place, add some bungees to keep the water jug in place, add a bungee to keep stuff in the cabinets in place, cabinet/drawer liner, insurance, needs washed, etc.

Oh yea then start packing everything into it! I am super close-its killing me, maybe by the weekend? I may go sans fenders if necessary-just to get gone.

[Wolfgang92025]

My plan is to buy a couple 1/4" universal socket drives, then glue/pin/weld one to the end of the bar. I think that will solve the problem, has anyone else tried this?

Sounds just like what I did. Got the hardware from Mc Master Carr. One end of the universal joint is glued, the other is a 1/4 - 20 rod and a lock nut.

[DMcCam]

Looking great there Carter!!! I have about the same arrangement with a 2,000# Flexiride axle on my TD and use the sticky neoprene type shelf liner to keep my stove and such in place. The axle rides so smoothly that nothing moves much.

All the Best,

Dave

[Colorado_Carter]

Thanks for the input! Glad to see I wasn't the first one to give the universal joint a go.

Good Camping
Doug

[bdosborn]

Wow, it looks great! Better pick a camping spot, you're almost ready to go...

Bruce

[Colorado_Carter]

Bruce-I am definitly ready to go. Fenders will be here tonight!

[Colorado_Carter]

I thought I would post some good picks of the handle fix with the universal joint. It didn't quite close the gap all the way, but its small enough to seal now, and the turn smoothly. So the fix was a success.

Before-I think it was about a 1/4-3/8" gap.


The fix


After-1/8" gap-thats straight and even.

[Colorado_Carter]

Fenders!

[bdosborn]

Hitch up and head over to Lathrop State Park? It looks like you're really ready to go. Have fun.

Bruce