Building the "Heart of Gold" - Done 3/9/2014

[KCStudly]

It does look very nice.

I do, however, have a couple of concerns and questions about your lights.

Your taillights look more like side marker lights; are they sold as tail/stop lights and marked with SAE code "T" and/or "S"?

Also, they look to be aiming upward, as well as back. Any concern about directionality?

One more thing, the brake and tail light requirement is that they be as far apart as practical. Any concern about passing registration inspection?

Link to Federal trailer lighting requirements

Sorry if this info is not timely for you, but I would hate to see you have a problem with the law down the road.

[drewh1]

Hey KC - I am glad you have my back! They are marker lights. I am hooking them up as brake lights only. I used a splitter box to separate the brake lights and ran wires back just for these.

I will have separate turn signals and brake lights on the back lower sides. (the old model A style) I really wanted to have an additional set of brake lights up high. They do point upward so I checked with Dave McCamm (Atma Travalear) who did something similar. He said the lights were still clearly visible. At any rate, I don't think you can have enough signals to tell these crazy drivers when you are going to stop!

[drewh1]

GORGEOUS!!

Having that galley finished, the wheels on the way, and all that aluminum hanging must be awesome!!!!

Looks like the aluminum went one really well, that is one of the things that I am the most unsure about on our build. I can work a hammer, saw, and maybe a router, but the alumimum (especially the trim) scares the crap out of me.

Keep up the great work. You're almost there!

Hey Brian - thanks for the complement. I feel so close I can hardly contain myself. Just want to hook it up and go right now!

It has all come out way better than I imagined. The aluminum was actually not that bad though there are a few details that are worth knowing about. Contact me when you are ready and I'll tell you what I did. The trim I used was especially easy to work with and I would use it again if I ever do another one.

drew.

[drewh1]

Wheels and Tires arrived today! I think they are going to fit without spacers.

i found out something cool about the HF Steel Fenders. They weren't radiused enough for the larger tires so I just put them on a slippery surface and leaned my weight on them. They opened up almost 2" without much pressure and are now the proper radius for the 14" tires!

So they will do for the time being.

More pics of the wheels tomorrow!

[KCStudly]

Good news then. That is ringing a bell now on the lights. I must have lost track somewhere along the line.

[dano]

Rig is great cant wait to see the tires and wheels. To me that's what makes the trailers look the best.
Dano

[RandyG]

You should be pretty proud, your build is very clean!

[drewh1]

Thanks for all the positive comments - the encouragement helps. But

But on to the next challenge . . . I blew it on this one I think, should have planned and measured better.

Bought these wheels and tires, there is no clearance!, will likely need spacers. How much spacing do I need? and best place to get them? Will I have to modify the hubs and studs to make this work.

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[drewh1]

never mind the questions - I went through the posts on wheel spacers. Ordered some 1" adapter/spacers on ebay. These bolt on to the hub and have studs and lug nuts for the wheel. Should work and center the wheel over the hub.

[KCStudly]

They're going to look really nice.

[drewh1]

Wheel spacers on, $47 on ebay, free shipping. I had to grind about an 1/8" off the studs but very easy to install. They give me about an 1" of clearance.

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[drewh1]

These fenders are not going to cut it! they look too small . . .

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[dano]

Hey Drew sorry you don't like the fenders but wow the tires and wheels look good.

[KCStudly]

Hey Drew sorry you don't like the fenders but wow the tires and wheels look good.

+1.
The black paint ties in with the door frame making the manufactured door "work" really well with your profile.

I didn't look back in your thread, but did you make the fenders?

Sometimes it is trial and error to get the look you want. I like the idea of flat top fenders for their usefulness setting things on them in camp, but I really prefer the look of simple round fenders with a formed (radius) lip.

I'm going to have to go thru similar tribulations when I get to that point because the Jeep style fenders I bought aren't really big enough for my tires. They need to be longer lengthwise and shorter in height to look right.

So I feel for you. Keep chugging. What you have there has the makings of something truly great. Simple and clean, but just right, so it is worth seeing it through!

[drewh1]

Hi KC - Always appreciate your thoughtful input! The fenders came with the NT Trailer and are made to fit the 12" wheels. So of course, they are small for the wheels and tires. I am definitely going with black. I thought originally that I would go with an off-road look and use the flat top fenders but now am wanting to stay with a more classic look. I am just being "budget conscious" but agree with you. I need to see the design through and not cheap out on fenders but rather get the right ones. I am going to risk driving it around without fenders for a month or so cause I am ready to try it out camping!

again - so nice to have this forum to work things out!