Building The Atma Travelear Teardrop

[nevadatear]

Looking fine, man! Only 3 weeks and we are rolling our way north west!

[KCStudly]

It just keeps getting better and better. Looking more like the plan every post.

[aggie79]

Very nice Dave!

You have a lot more patience and skill than I did on your aluminum trim work! (I found that forming the tight curves to be more work than building the hatch.) I love what you did with the drip rail. I need to install rails over my doors.

Take care,
Tom

[Rudyjr]

Dave awesome job I look forward to every update, nice work! Especially now that Toms trailer is done and on the road. You two guys have some amazing talent, hats off to you both I can only dream of the day I can give one a try. Thanks for the update, Jim

[DMcCam]

It sure looks GOOD Dave. See you at the "Dam".

Thank you Johnny, we'll be there!

Looking fine, man! Only 3 weeks and we are rolling our way north west!

Thank you Debbie! We'll get 'er done and be ready for the trip!

It just keeps getting better and better. Looking more like the plan every post.

Thank you very much KC!!

Very nice Dave! You have a lot more patience and skill than I did on your aluminum trim work! (I found that forming the tight curves to be more work than building the hatch.) I love what you did with the drip rail. I need to install rails over my doors.

Thank you so much Tom! Coming from you it's high praise indeed Pal!! I'm pretty sure your aluminum work is a bit better than mine good Sir (up close mine's rougher than in the pics). Boy are you right about the aluminum trim; tough stuff. With that tight bend at the bottom of my hatch, it took about 4 -6 hours to fit the roof edge molding per side.

If you end your drip rails just past your door edges by an inch or so and follow the long beautiful curve you have, it will be pretty easy. That is if you use Grant's soft drip rail.

Dave awesome job I look forward to every update, nice work! Especially now that Toms trailer is done and on the road. You two guys have some amazing talent, hats off to you both I can only dream of the day I can give one a try. Thanks for the update, Jim

Thank you for your kind compliments and for following the build Sir! Tom's Silver Beetle build was and is one of the most inspiring on the forum for me too (we need more camping pics from him though...pass it on..) I'm looking forward to following your build someday.

All the Best,

Dave

[webbaldo]

Looks great, and I must apologise for blatantly stealing your trim idea,



I just love it.

[DMcCam]

Looks great, and I must apologise for blatantly stealing your trim idea,



I just love it.

Now that I see the design on your beautiful teardrop, I can't wait to get mine all trimmed out too. Thank you for sharing it with me.

Cheers,

Dave

[DMcCam]

Howdy Folks! Managed to get out and finish up a few more details.




Got the lights permanently installed on the passenger's side and most of the elements attached on the hatch.


The running lights are attached but need to be checked before locking the beauty chrome bits. Same for the license plate holder; it's on but needs electrical check. Handle is installed but is permanently locked (it's just a lifting handle now). I still need to find some draw latches I like for her.


Here's the driver's side all installed and ready for clean up!!!


This shot shows how the door catch works to keep the window rain guard from getting crushed.

I'm closing in on the cab now!

All the Best,

Dave

[_Ryan_]

Looks great Dave, the lines on that thing are SWEET!

The finishing work is really impressive! I noticed you added an extra 3 lights (for braking I'm assuming) on the upper part of the hatch. It is probably a good idea since you are going to have a ton of drivers staring at your TD, and not paying attention to their own driving.

I'm hoping to see this one day in person at one of the meetups, but until then I love the pics, keep them coming!

[KCStudly]

It's the whole package and it is really coming together now.

You'll be camping in no time.

[DMcCam]

Looks great Dave, the lines on that thing are SWEET! The finishing work is really impressive! I noticed you added an extra 3 lights (for braking I'm assuming) on the upper part of the hatch. It is probably a good idea since you are going to have a ton of drivers staring at your TD, and not paying attention to their own driving. I'm hoping to see this one day in person at one of the meetups, but until then I love the pics, keep them coming!

Thank you Ryan Sir!!! Actually the three lights are just running lights, I thought it was a good idea for general visibility. I hope to meet up with you too in the future.

It's the whole package and it is really coming together now. You'll be camping in no time.

Thank you KC, Dam Gathering here we come!!!

Cheers,

Dave

[DMcCam]

One more picture from today's work.


Unfortunately, after removing the plastic covering you can see some striations from the bending method on the bottom of the hatch. Other than that, I'm very pleased with how the hatch shaped up.

More to come,

Dave

[KCStudly]

Lesson learned on the thk .060 aluminum I think, but what the heck are you talking about ? I don't see it and even if I did I wouldn't say anything. Well, okay, I do see it, but it's not bad and I won't admit seeing it.

The big picture says it all. Your camper is super star status, A1 super duper, triple throw down!!!

Anybody that complains to you about that needs to take a close look in the mirror!

[atahoekid]

I am sooooo impressed. I can't wait to see this one in person. Your craftsmanship and attention to detail are superior. I won't be at the Dam but I hope to see you at Davis Creek for Falling Tears. I won't park next to you either. My Road Foamie will look absolutely amateurish next to your Atma Travelear. I think I'll park far far away LOL

[PKCSPT]