Citylights' Tear - SOLD! - update 08-01-16

[bdosborn]

I wouldn't go without it.

X2

Bruce

[citylights]

Alright. Good advice, I will get the perches welded to the axle.

[citylights]

New axle done! I did get the perches welded. Hmmm... I think I might have to adjust that fender.

[citylights]

I weighed my tongue today. I had suspected it was pretty heavy when I tried to pick it up once and it was going to pull my arm out of the socket rather than come off the ground. So much changes as you build a teardrop. I remember when I could lift the tongue with just one pinky finger.

Anyway, I had weighed the entire teardrop some time ago at 1750 lb. I changed to a larger axle and bigger tires, so call it 1800 lb.

The tongue weight was 280 lb or 15.5% of the total. That is right at the upper end of recommended good practice. That was also with the tongue box empty.

I am going to move the spare tire to under the galley from in the under bed storage. That will help a little. I will just make sure anything I add goes in the galley!

[citylights]

I thought I would post some pictures of the rock damage my aluminum skin is taking from gravel roads. Looks like a sand blasting. At least I know where I need to add aluminum diamond plate. Left and right side, front of tongue box, and the under bed storage.

Some people get things to polish and admire them. I am afraid I get things to use them. I guess I admire how they perform!










I also went on a camp trip just outside Zion, Utah. Beautiful place. I got to try out my air conditioning. It was 95 deg. F at sundown. AC was a little loud when you aren't used to it, but I kept us plenty cool!

[capnTelescope]

The only thing that would be cooler than that would be some bear claw marks.

[citylights]

The only thing that would be cooler than that would be some bear claw marks.

Woa! I know it is better than just a tent between me and the bear, but I did not build bear proof!

Here is hoping I only see friendly bears, if I ever run across them...

[ae6black]

I was really impressed with your build. I particularly liked the ac on drawer slides. If I used mine in the warm weather, I'd probably have to do something about AC. But as it is, in the summer months, the family goes with me in the larger Travel Trailer which has all the amenities as well as the price to go with it and the pain in the neck to tow around. Great build1


Art

[citylights]

I was really impressed with your build. I particularly liked the ac on drawer slides. If I used mine in the warm weather, I'd probably have to do something about AC. But as it is, in the summer months, the family goes with me in the larger Travel Trailer which has all the amenities as well as the price to go with it and the pain in the neck to tow around. Great build1
Art

Thanks! I received so much information and advice from this site, I hope my build log is just a small addition to help others with teardrop dreams. Cheers!

[citylights]

I added bump stops to my teardrop suspension today. The springs have 1.5 inch travel before they hit the bump stops. Then the bump stop will squish about 0.5 inch before it stops. All ready for more off-road!

I didn't get any pictures, but these are the bump stops I used. I just screwed them to the frame above the springs.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EOZE0U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[working on it]

I added bump stops to my teardrop suspension today. The springs have 1.5 inch travel before they hit the bump stops. Then the bump stop will squish about 0.5 inch before it stops. All ready for more off-road!

I didn't get any pictures, but these are the bump stops I used. I just screwed them to the frame above the springs.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EOZE0U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My springs had even less travel than that; fearing a repeat of the torn-off spring hanger episode, I used the 4.5" tall version Daystar stops on mine. I sandwiched them in between axle and frame, after modifying them to fit, with squish built-in by the mod.

uploadfromtaptalk1408986505968.jpg (119.96 KiB) Viewed 1842 times

uploadfromtaptalk1408986478664.jpg (218.68 KiB) Viewed 1842 times

My intent was to assist the springs by progressively absorbing the road shock before frame contact is made. I also intens to use my trailer for very minor of f2f road, so either using shocks w/ bump stop, or trying my experimental solution was the choice. Only time will tell if it will suffice.

[citylights]

I took my teardrop on an overnight camp run with the offroad club. Once again I was the only one with a trailer. They are a bunch of tent ground huggers, but at least a couple are talking about a trailer now. Two of the FJs had trouble this washed out spot in the trail, but mine with the trailer powered through.



On another part of the trail, (wash boarded gravel road) I had a little trouble with the trailer sliding out in the corners. That is a pucker factor wake up call for slowing down some. Power sliding with a trailer is no fun! (Sorry, no pictures of that.)

Looks like the upgraded axle and spring is going to work out great!

[citylights]

Trip to Tuweep north rim Grand Canyon National Park. Had a good time.

By the way, I added 5 gallon can holders to the side of the teardrop. One for water, one for extra fuel.

[KCStudly]

WOW! That picture of the canyon is fantastic. Very dramatic!

Seeing that alone would be worth the trip.

[bdosborn]

Livin' the dream!

Bruc e