Torpender Build Thread: Update - campin'

[fartblossom]

You're need to keep us posted on how that trim works out. As long as the sun does not destroy it, it look like it might be an easy way to go. I know the LP should hold it along it length, but I just wondering about the very bottom. Turbulence from the car and trailer might work that bottom corner loose and allow the whole thing to fly off. Just thinking out loud, but I is there any way to secure just that lower front part so it will not work loose?

Keep up the good work.

I was a little worried about that too so I added a lath screw at the bottom end.



I'm going to paint the trim with rustoleum silver to hopefully give it some UV tolerance. The thing I'm wondering about the most is how it will do with contraction/expansion with temp diffs. Will keep everyone informed.

[fartblossom]

And here is the forum record for slowest framed hatch, .... EVER.

[Junkboy999]

I don’t think there is a time record for time, but I believe someone holds the record for number of times he had to remake the complete hatch. They allways say third or fourth time's a charm.

[rand_98201]

Your still building so who cares how long it takes you.Good job so far.

[fartblossom]

Finally got the hatch "temp" hinged and took it for a spin to check tracking and stance.







Tracked straight, looks a little nose low but I don't know if they make any larger rise/drop tongues, and I can live with it.

I actually backed it up into my garage, past my wife's car, and only had to pull forward once. (o.k., twice)

Hoping to be camping by late February.

[KCStudly]

Good job. Suppose it could be lower overall, but that would take a torsion axle to get there.

Nice combo.

[pchast]

Looking good.

For a light trailer you can always move the axle to above the spring.
That should drop the trailer up to a couple of inches...


Do you have a weight yet and how does that Pontiac pull? Do you notice
the added weight?

[fartblossom]

Thanks guys.

I am considering the axle flip. Trying to find more info on whether it causes any problems with the axle having less clearance to the underside of the trailer over big bumps.
Seems like I read somewhere that someone had an issue.

Weight right now is 242 at each wheel and 35 lbs at the tongue. So only 520. By the time I add the door, the last 3 pieces of FRP, some wire shelving, and the fenders, I'm hoping to get out the door for 600 lbs. I'm also considering carrying a 50 lb. spare wheel and tire on the tongue. So 650-700 is what I'm shooting for.

The Pontiac didn't even notice it was there. I'm sure at 50+mph it will

The 2.4 is a bit of a "stroker" compared to most 2 liter and below fours, and has about as much torque as a non-turbo four can have. I'm sure when I expose this thing on the Solstice forum though, there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth about how I'm going to "blow the car up".

[rowerwet]

the axle may hit on huge bumps, fix that with bumpers on the frame. One trick I read on an off-roader site, make bump stops from rubber hockey pucks. drill a hole through the middle, tight on the bolt shank, use a large diameter round head bolt (recess the head into the puck if you have a way to do it easily) and secure it to the frame where the axle will hit.
For an average tear, hitting the frame would be rare, bump stops are more for towing at high weight and high speed, or seriously rough roads. That little car won't take the kind of weight it would take to hit the frame often without giving you a white knuckle ride.

[fartblossom]

Finally some pretty weather. Got the last three pieces of frp on and started the trim of the hatch. Using 1x1 aluminum angle.

[fartblossom]

Should have the props worked out today.

Using conduit with a hole drilled through the end, clevis pins, angle brackets and hitch pins.

[rowerwet]

I did almost the same thing, only I used a caster to mount the rods, that way they twist and stow cross wise up under the galley.

that way I can hold the hatch up with one hand, unlatch the props, allow them to swing and hang down. the casters are mounted so that the ends hang straight down and just over the edge of the counter, then I just lower the hatch until the rods land on the counter and support the hatch.

[KCStudly]

I did almost the same thing, only I used a caster to mount the rods...

Rower, That's brilliant!!!

I assume that you used those little broom holder spring clips to secure the rods in the stowed position.

Just make sure to pin the rod when in the raised position, like Fartblossom did, so that your hatch doesn't blow over. That has bitten a few people.

[rowerwet]

broom holder clips would be nicer looking, in my case it is a clip made of coat hanger wire and two screws that holds both rods where they overlap in the middle. not pretty, but it does the job and cost nothing. (it must come from the old air plane mechanic joke, safety wire, speed tape, chewing gum, will fix anything)

[jimun]

Hi fartblossom,
Your td is looking good. How was it working with the frp? I am thinking of using the frp panels for the roof and side walls.