Father-Daughter Build 2013-14

[rdraider]

I just found this build, great job on a woody, Lauren!
I sealed a slide in truck camper i built a few years ago with spar urethane. And for the most part, it worked really well. There were a few failures, but they were my fault not design or material related. So don't worry.

One question, where did you get the windows for the doors?

I'm getting supplies to start a trailer build this next year.

[oakinteriors1]

Helmsman Spar urethane on a cedar outside TV cabinet 3 years now... http://s147.photobucket.com/user/scrawf ... t=3&page=1

[lfrazer98]

I just found this build, great job on a woody, Lauren!
I sealed a slide in truck camper i built a few years ago with spar urethane. And for the most part, it worked really well. There were a few failures, but they were my fault not design or material related. So don't worry.

One question, where did you get the windows for the doors?

I'm getting supplies to start a trailer build this next year.

Thanks! Yeah, my application of the spar urethane left streaks. Trying it again with the sprayer after it is finished.

I got my windows from Grant Whipp at http://www.lilbear.teardrops.net and he is great to work with! He is great with email and answers lots of questions to get you what you need. Some of the other parts I got from Frank Bear at http://www.teardroptrailerparts.com/Home_Page.html and he was great talking me through questions/problems I had on the phone. Both supplied me with the majority of my hardware, lights, trim and windows. I also followed Grant's build very closely on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/teardrops.net for the finishing details and basics. (I also planned for months and read a lot of build journals.)

Good luck!! Let me know if I can give you more info!

[lfrazer98]

Helmsman Spar urethane on a cedar outside TV cabinet 3 years now... http://s147.photobucket.com/user/scrawf ... t=3&page=1

That is gorgeous! How did you apply the urethane? Sprayer? I can't stand my brush strokes. I know I didn't have any experience with poly going into this, so I shouldn't be hard on myself, but I wished my finish looked better or I made better choices. I went with the natural bristle brush first and did a pretty decent job, then a second coat, then dad did another coat that was uneven, so I went with something similar to this http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ettore-10-in ... /204267866, but the one I got had a handle to polyurethane large surfaces by hand. 2 coats later, it felt smooth, but on an angle I could see streaks. That is what I am trying to fix now.

Thanks for your expertise and for sharing your amazing projects! I am continuing to improve and will keep trying.

[lfrazer98]

Here are some pictures from this weekend. The trim was hard to attach, in my opinion. After putting the RV putty tape along the edges, I felt like I was fighting a losing battle trying to get the trim in place. I ended up taking a small piece of wood and a hammer and hit it to compress the putty tape so that the trim was adhering to the trailer roof edge. We have our roof hinge on and are tackling the galley side of it tomorrow. Dad took the extra aluminum from the sheet that we bought and stapled it to my tongue box, then put some aluminum angle around the edges. The fantastic vent is in (and works) and we put the trim on the galley side walls.


Trim; Galley Trim for Seal; Side Profile (minus bottom trim)


Top Insert and Fan; Front Trim/Insert (no end caps yet); Tongue Box Skinned


Inside of Tongue Box (junction box on left, not sealed yet, holes to be drilled)

As a side note, if you feel like making suggestions.... I am thinking of ways to trick out my galley.
This is what it looks like now (as far as cabinets and drawers go).


Fold down shelf in the center? Cubby in the back center for S&P, oils, condiments, etc? Add some wood on top of the right cabinet to hold.... stuff....
A friend posted a video to my Facebook page of the Conqueror Australia and this trailer has some neat compartments. I was inspired! Now I just need to figure out how to make a wine rack for mine http://youtu.be/XxvfDTaUVAo The compartments/interior starts at around 3 mins.

[The Teardrop Nanny]

Wonderful.....and Lauren, it should be done in plenty of time to come to the IRG 6.0 in 2016!! I'll save ya a spot.....
Joanie
The Teardrop Nanny

[KCStudly]

It just keeps looking better and better; superb!

I know it is a little late now to make suggestions for the trim, but something I picked up from reading other builds may help future builders. The trick to installing the trim is to fit it to the profile before installing the aluminum skin, then set it aside while installing the skin. That way you avoid hammering, denting, scratching, etc. the skin and it is all preformed when the time comes to install it.

No matter, you did a great job!

[bc toys]

looks great i've followed this build from the start and can't say anything wrong with it now get out and enjoy the fruits of your labor

[lfrazer98]

It just keeps looking better and better; superb!

I know it is a little late now to make suggestions for the trim, but something I picked up from reading other builds may help future builders. The trick to installing the trim is to fit it to the profile before installing the aluminum skin, then set it aside while installing the skin. That way you avoid hammering, denting, scratching, etc. the skin and it is all preformed when the time comes to install it.

No matter, you did a great job!

We did pre-form it to the roof/wall edge before installing it. Had no issues with denting the aluminum skin. Because of my lack of experience, I expected the trim to compress flush against the edge, but the putty didn't allow it to. Maybe I did do it right?!

[lfrazer98]

Wonderful.....and Lauren, it should be done in plenty of time to come to the IRG 6.0 in 2016!! I'll save ya a spot.....
Joanie
The Teardrop Nanny

Count me in, Joanie! I have yet to see the redwoods and Northern Cali, so I am totally putting it on my calendar!!

[KCStudly]

Maybe I did do it right?!

You're doing a great job!

I miss understood, I thought you were saying that the trim was difficult to form to the shape. I understand now, the putty did not compress or flow, and kept the trim from sitting tight to the skin.

I wonder if temperature was a factor. Did the putty tape seem soft and pliable, or was it pretty stiff? IIRC Grant recommends that the putty be warmed up prior to application (... but it seems that the more I cram stuff into my head, the more stuff leaks out ). I'll take a look for where I may have read that and report back.

[aggie79]

Lauren,
First, your teardrop looks fantastic! You ought to be very proud of your work and you'll appreciate even more the time spent with your father.

I installed my windows with butyl tape. The tape compressed but not by much. I can see how the tape thickness can throw off the shape of pre-bent trim and the alignment if any pre-drilled fastener holes. For those reasons I used sealant instead of tape under the trim. I don't think I'd recommend this method though because the trim can never be removed.

From your pictures, the aluminum trim on your teardrop looks perfect.

Take care,
Tom

[Transit80]

Youve done a great job there Lauren , it looks real nice. Its good to hear it has turned out how you planned it,thats more than can be said of mine .

Chris

[lfrazer98]

Well, here she is!! Almost finished! We have end caps to install on the trim, bottom trim on the galley hatch and the latches, lower trim underneath the sides, and the inside skin of the hatch. We just wanted to get it weighed before the weigh station closed at 3pm today. I need to jump through lots of hoops to get it registered in NYS. She is just a little shy of 1000#, which surprised us. I guessed 800 to 850 and my Dad guessed ~900. She came out at 980#.

KC- I laid the tape on the hot blacktop before I applied it and it was very sticky. By the time I got it all pressed into place, it was cool again from the aluminum skin (and the shade). Maybe I did get it compressed enough, but I was thinking it was going to really squeeze out. At least I know I have a good seal. That stuff really holds the trim to the edge well!

And, THANK YOU, Tom, Chris and KC.... Reassurance goes a long way! I will have more photos to post tonight or tomorrow as I took some pics of the steps prior to getting her on the road (above pic). Break is over.... Back to work!

[lfrazer98]

Tom-
From your attached picture in your signature, I can see a side tent. Is that like a shower/changing room? I bought one, but want to modify it to fit around my door. Does yours fit to your door? Thanks!

Lauren