by eamarquardt » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:34 pm
I haven't built a teardrop yet but I've built lots of other things including a two ton dump trailer that uses a High-Lift mechanical jack without any problems. When I build a teardrop (materials are being ordered now) I plan on using a gear hinge that goes on top of the roof and the hatch. I'll use two pieces of 3/4 poplar for the spars and on the bottom of the spar will be a 1/8 x 1" piece of aluminum bar stock. The hinge will be through bolted through the spar and through the aluminum bar stock. The hinge will be in compression and the 1/8 bar stock will be in tension, kind of like a mini "I" beam. The stiffness will come from the aluminum, not the wood which is pretty much serving as a spacer. I'm a big believer of through bolting rather than screws when possible and I'd bet that fewer designs are stronger. The trailer will weigh a few ounces more, but everything in life is a compromise.
Eric "Gus" Marquardt
The opinions in this post are my own. My comments are directed to those that might like an alternative approach to those already espoused.There is the right way,the wrong way,the USMC way, your way, my way, and the highway.
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