40s 50s teardrop rebuild (finally!!)

[Dave K]

A friend of mine gave me this trailer 15 years ago and I am finally getting around to rebuilding it. Plans are to replace the wood (add insulation) but keep as much of the patina and original parts possible. Build will take place in my driveway as I don't have a garage.

Here are some before pictures.










After some cleaning

[Dave K]

After a week of breaking screws loose in my spare time after work I am here.



After obsessing about denting or bending the drip rail trying to get it loose from the skin I wound up using a wire and pliers breaking it free.



Turned the drip rail over and found it still had the original price marked on the inside (love this kind of stuff)

[Dave K]

Spending a lot of time obsessing about all the mistakes I can make that would make the original skin/screw holes not line up or fit on the new build. I have decided to build a frame the same size and shape as the trailer so I can store the roof skin as one piece. Feel a little silly spending all the time and energy money on this frame but I don't want to take any chance on destroying the original skin. So my first real trailer work day (3/28/15) yielded nothing more then a frame to store the skin and gally hatch on.




Will build a convex and concave frame for working on both sides of the galley hatch


Hatch in it's storage/work holder

[daveesl77]

That is going to be beautiful when done! I love the shape and having so much of the original is great!

dave

[Dave K]

Thanks daveesl77 I am really pleased that it is almost 100 complete. If I had to replace parts it would make it really difficult to keep the patina looking right.

Spend the better part of the day grinding rivets bolts and breaking loose screws etc to finally get the skin off of one side.


Started bracing the ply (still need to do more) so it will not fall apart when removed.



Skin removed. Defiantly need some attention. Does anyone know of videos or info on taking dents out of aluminum sheet?


Found wheel adaptors when I took the wheels off.


This is my first trailer build and am muddling through as best I can but am all ears if anyone has input on anything. Can someone point me in the direction of a detailed rebuild thread?

[KCStudly]

Does anyone know of videos or info on taking dents out of aluminum sheet?

Ron Covell has a series of videos, website, classes, etc., mostly dealing with custom metal forming and fabrication for hot rods, motor cycles and such; but it is all very informative with regard to "bumping" sheet metal. He is a master.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ron+covell+workshops&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=ron+covell+workshops&tbm=vid

[rebapuck]

Love the icebox.

[39Ratrod]

You are doing a great job so far! I applaud your efforts in restoring a cool piece of history!!!

[Dave K]

Thanks for the encouragement/help.

Still chipping away at the disassembly. Not very good at keeping threads up to date (posting most of this from my phone) but will try to keep it going.

Left side had a trailer hub instead of a old brake drum like the right side. Trailer must have gotten plenty of use to have destroyed one of the hubs. Going to have to clearance to the sides where the axle hits.




Found plenty of rot when the left side came off.

Not that it is really a problem in fact it makes it easier to get the nails loose.

After making the frame to hold my complete roof structure I realized there is no way to get the roof onto the frame in one piece so I wound up disassembling it.

Used a large paint scraper to carefully pry the skin loose.





Skin finally off.

[Dave K]

Found a semi modern water tank under the galley. Score!!


A friend of mine hooked me up with this light and clear YOM plate (not going to run the plate to new for my trailer but will be good trade or sell to fund an earlier plate)


Missing the light socket. Does anyone know where I can find the parts to make this work?


Used an angle grinder to make the carriage bolts into slot screws.

Worked great.

First sheet of flooring off tonight

Lots of rust but nothing structural.

That's all for now. Hoping to finish disassembly before the weekend starts and make some good progress on the frame leaf springs wheel bearings etc this weekend.

[KCStudly]

Boy, I hope you are taking lots of notes and dimensions, in addition to photos, as you go. Looks like a lot of details required to get it back together like new.

Keep up the hard work and you will be rewarded with a true gem!

[Woodbutcher]

Great job, on a cool old trailer. Keep up the good work!

[noseoil]

Wow, what a project & dedication to make something beautiful out of a basket case. You have my vote for the "restoration of the year" award!

[Vedette]

Great Project!
After having been a restorer myself for the past 48 years (last 21 professionally) I can appreciate the process.
I am glad you realized that something of this vintage needs a 100% restoration.
Yes, it is cool to see some of the old survivors at Gatherings........But, when you know what is hidden under that aluminum skin it is hard to imagine towing great distance (vibration breaks down dry rot quickly) or sleeping with you face that close to black mold??
Thanks for the great pictures! Please keep taking them and posting.
Pictures will make you appreciate how much work you did when you are finished and astound those who are not familiar with what it takes to "Restore" something that has seen 60 years of weather.
Stay inspired!
Brian

[Dave K]

Thanks for the interest in the build.

Looks like the frame was built from used steel. There are remnants of old weld joints here and there


Bare frame.

Frame is within about 1/8" of being square but it has a kink upwards just in front of the forward spring hanger. (In other words if the forward part of the frame was horizontal with the ground the part reward of the kink would droop towards the ground. Probably a 1/2" or so but I have not tried to measure it yet)
Hopefully it can be seen in this photo.


Looking for input on what to do with the bent frame. The frame is super flexible so I am considering using the strength of the built cabin to flatten it out. In other words build the cabin flat and true then tighten the frame to it to pull the bend out of it. I would much prefer to have a nice flat frame to build on but I don't think I have the metal skills to flatten the frame and I don't know if a auto body shop frame rack would work to fix it as it is so flex?

If anyone has any ideas or input on how to tackle the bent frame please post I am trying to formulate a plan.

Thanks