The LT... Thomas' Luxury Tent

[Sparksalot]

Work will progress slowly for the next week or two, I found a new engine for my truck that I will be testing, cleaning and installing so I have to shift gears for a little bit and focus on the tow vehicle for a while. I still check the board almost every day though!

Didja get your engine swap done? Either that is still in the works, or you're waiting to unveil the completed tear all at once?

[2bits]

Man, I think i got unsubscribed from my own thread! !! Sorry I missed the replies and questions!

For the RV trim, Try Redneck trailer in Arlington for the RV trim their catalog has all the trim pieces I need but I will need to go with the nicer trim that has the vinyl insert, because they do not have the "regular" RV moulding which is funny to me, but the nicer stuff is still pretty inexpensive and they sell in longer sections too. Still undetermined if it is dead soft though.

I also am sealing the masonite under roofing in epoxy. That stuff is so thin, like water when it goes on, I am putting four coats just for piece of mind. ESPECIALLY with masonite. I would definitely recommend sealing it. You only build it once, (or at least you hope so!)

I swapped my engine This past Wednesday and I have a harmonic balacer on order and I need to get to Ft. worth and pick up a new AC bracket and then it will be all done and I can start working on the teardrop again, I am missing working on it big time!

[Sparksalot]

I swapped my engine This past Wednesday and I have a harmonic balacer on order and I need to get to Ft. worth and pick up a new AC bracket and then it will be all done and I can start working on the teardrop again, I am missing working on it big time!

Harmonic balanceer, oh boy, next thing you'll be talking camshafts and roller lifters.

[2bits]

I'm not a gearhead really. I pulled a V-8 350 out and put in an inline 6 cylinder so that pretty much ostracizes me from all hot rod circles in America Although my "little" engine is a boat motor with a marine cam (there ya go haha) and a 4bbl carb! Honestly at this point, I just want the truck running so I can get back to work on the teardrop!!!

[Sparksalot]

Nothing wrong with that 250. Heck, go retro with a 4/2 split exhaust!

[2bits]

I got the engine running tonight, so Saturday I will try to get it all buttoned up and get back to teardrop time! ! !

[del]

I'm not a gearhead really. I pulled a V-8 350 out and put in an inline 6 cylinder so that pretty much ostracizes me from all hot rod circles in America Although my "little" engine is a boat motor with a marine cam (there ya go haha) and a 4bbl carb! Honestly at this point, I just want the truck running so I can get back to work on the teardrop!!!

You are here by ostracized from all gearheads of America.

Keep plugging away the tear is looking good.

del

[2bits]

Today I took the day off work and got the truck fully running and took it around the block, and all seems well there. After that, I made the trek over to Redneck Trailer and picked up all the Aluminum trim for the roof edge. I got the kind with the black vinyl insert which will look nice against the black aluminum roof. Sells only in 12 foot sections which I like because I will have one long length on each side, three sections with inserts, $85 total. The guy was kind of a jerk for some reason, and told me he didn't have what I wanted (overhang on one side), he was not happy with me when I showed it to him in the catalog, but I got it.

I pulled the teardrop out of the garage and put three more coats of epoxy on the Masonite. That makes five coats and it is shining good now and should be pretty solid. I just need to sand the hardened filler smooth and I can install the roof! I guess I need screws too, anyone have any recommendations from the orange box? I use deck screws for everything, but I am thinking that might be over kills haha...

This trim is not dead soft but it bends ok but is still going to be a bear while trying to fold over .040 aluminum at the same time. no one said it was going to be easy though


I'll post pics when I actually do something that changes the look of the trailer!

I looked it up and it has been a month and a half since I worked on the teardrop! ! ! I know alot of it has been $$$ issues too but STILL! ! ! So I have a new goal for completion. I want to get it completed BEFORE MY TAGS RUN OUT in 7/09!!! I would certainly HOPE that is doable dangit. Sorry a little venting here...

[asianflava]

I guess I need screws too, anyone have any recommendations from the orange box? I use deck screws for everything, but I am thinking that might be over kills haha...

I used the coated deck screws for just about everything too. For all the exposed screws, I used stainless screws from Fastenal.

[tinksdad]

I needed my stainless screws for the trim in a hurry..... like that day!! I forgot all about them until I went to install the trim. I found some 100 count contractor's packs at the blue box store (not the orange one). Little pricey; but not exorbitant.

[2bits]

Cool, thanks for the info!

I am pleased at how these last three coats have affected the masonite. The first two didn't seem to do anything at all. I got home from work today 8 hrs later and the color is still much darker and it is shiny all over. I feel very comfortable now with it. I am DYING to see how it looks with the aluminum on and the sunroof and vent installed! ! !

How do you feel about using a jigsaw with a fine metal blade? I had planned on using snips, but I think that may be difficult when it comes to the holes on top...

[2bits]

Finally got my roof on! Still need to do the cross sills but the main bulk of it is done. Here are some pics:




A Close up of the trim


My favorite shot

[Juneaudave]

That looks real nice!!!! You have done a wonderfull job on this trailer!!!

[jackdaw]

That looks spot on Thomas

keep up the good work

[del]

I like how reflective the roof turned out. Looks good, though I am not sold on the red and orange racing stripes.

del