Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Most of the stuff that we have done so far is the trailer and floor build. I won't bore you with a bunch of pictures of that. We should start on the foam today so I will post more pictures as we progress on that.

Here is a few of the floor.

Sub Floor


Both the front and back has an angled cut to match the angle of the foam.


The Floor


Finally this is me working... It is rare to find me working. Hubby took a picture of it so he doesn't forget what it looks like.

Nice start Anita! Hope you didn't bust your knuckles attaching the bolts to the spring hangars.

Take care,
Tom

Great looking floor AR ....

very good start! will be watching.

Thanks guys. Life interupted my plans yesterday and I didn't get much done on the foam. Just some drawing and redrawing on the foam. But I finally got the shape that I want if I can just remember which line to cut on.

aggie79 wrote::applause:

Nice start Anita! Hope you didn't bust your knuckles attaching the bolts to the spring hangars.

Take care,
Tom

Hmmm, now how did you know? Hehe! Yes I busted a couple of knuckles. You wouldn't believe the cuts, scrapes, bruises, and broken finger nails that I have. I kind of look like I've been in a cat fight. Oh well. It will all heal and then I will get to go camping. Right?

I snapped a quick pic of the sides before I head off to work today. Here ya go!

ahhhh i like the shape. you make me laugh, i had the same problem cutting my lines also. i end up cutting the top line, i figured i could always sand down to the correct line.

AR, NICE!!!! A Big one !!! Any ideas on how you're going to bend the foam for the roof/etc. ?
We really need to investigate the bending of foam with heat ... I saw on the Dow site a picture of foam with what looks like a propane tank and torch (wide spread tip) So we must assume that it's possible ... We've bent Lots of thinner Foam (1/4-1/2" ) with a heat gun ... Thicker material would just need more heat (used cautiously) ... Would be nice to just attach the roof sheet to the front , apply a little heat and bend to the contour .... no messy kerfing , smooth interior (less finish work) , and the foam once heated and bent stays in that shape ... perfect for galley hatches!!!

when and if i ever get to the roof in the new build, i will atempt the heat/bend method. not sure about the 2" stuff, but i don't have a problem with the 1" so that is what i will use. or maybe do 2 sheets of the 1" stuff.

Eagle , 1" bends EASY !!

eaglesdare wrote:ahhhh i like the shape. you make me laugh, i had the same problem cutting my lines also. i end up cutting the top line, i figured i could always sand down to the correct line.

Yeah! I know! We talked about it last night and decided to cut it down to the lower line. It looks a little flat on top. We are using a pattern (Terra Cruiser) that we fond here on the board but we made a few minor changes to make it fit the floor that I messed up the measurements on. Anyway, that is close to the final shape. I still have some trimming to do and I have to make all that glue disappear that seeped out under my tape. Then we can move on.

GPW, we are still discussing the big bend. Right now it looks like we will be using the kerf method but heat might be an option. If neither of those work with the thick stuff, we will buy some thin stuff and double it and insert some spars.

I think I will try putting the reinforcement strips on under the main fabric to see if that will make the edges less noticeable. If I need to I might be able to feather it out kind of like they do with dry wall tape...maybe? I picked up plenty of TB 3 for the outside and TB2 for the inside so we will have a busy weekend.

Edit to add: And hubby (his name is Charlie) said that we will need to put some of Mike's keys in the keep that big ol' overhanging butt from lifting of the floor.

that glue will be easy to get rid of. i have found that i can usually just peel it off. and if not, then i have used a razor/knife, and then some sanding. its pretty easy to get off.

my personal thought about this reinforcing strip: i am not sure about it being the first layer. i would canvas(sock wrap) first.
i am not sure if that makes a difference or not, but i wouldn't be comfortable with that.
but good luck and keep the pics coming. please give us your feelings as you are doing it.

AR, we found the household iron really flattens out the seams ...the strips under should be hardly noticeable , the thicker the canvas and all ...

We know now the kerfing method works ... and the idea of wooden spars still seems like a good idea , as a place to hang lights, maybe a cargo net , etc. no having to put "hard points" in the side , although that's easy too ...not to mention the increased roof strength... not much extra weight , really ...

Ps. I trimmed my bubbled Gorilla Glue with a cheapie serrated kitchen knife retrieved from the kitchen junk drawer... works super , flexible blade gets next to the foam so you can saw off the protruding bits flush ...

Just another thought ... for a bigger foamie , it might be Good to use fiberglass for that reinforcing strip on the floor/wall , then cover over that ... Strong , and it has a nice edge already ... Wonder if it comes in 12" wide tape ??? Yep it does... http://www.aeromarineproducts.com/?gcli ... 7QodURuRqA Anybody want to split a roll... it's 50 yards long

i'd love to, but hubby took an interest in the bill paying area and well, he has put a halt on my second foamie for now. he is starting to freak because he has to go up and get his 3 other kids (previous marriage) and he got nervous about trying to feed them and all. i can blow money like it does grow on trees.

My trailer projects are Federally Funded , so the wife doesn't mind ...... much ...