Must I have fenders?

[dwgriff1]

Good point.

Thanks.

dave

[Arne]

I don't even consider fenders an aesthetic issue. I consider them a safety issue. I don't want some guy behind me blinking his lights because my trailer tires threw up a stone and cracked his windshield.... next down the list is to keep the tear clean.... last is what they look like. I have a h/f 1800 and the stock fenders do what they are supposed to do... make a good place to lay my sandals on when I get inside.

I'd really like to see a federal law having a max vertical tire exposure on everything, like tall SUVs, Pickup trucks, etc.. Having a high bed pickup with no 'mud flaps' is just an invitation to throw road debris at anything following within 200 feet.

My 02 minivan has thousands of tiny pits in the windshield (seen when driving into the sunset) from winter sand being thrown up into the air so I can run into it at 60 mph.

[gyroguy]

When the Texas State Trooper inspected my teardrop, he said that fenders were not required.

At the time ( 5 weeks ago) I was using an ancient Chevy truck rear axle, with differential (but pinion gear removed). The only place to attach fenders was on the side of the trailer. No mounting points available on the axle, and the brake backing plate had been removed to save extra weight.

To go ultra-light weight, I considered buying a 55-gallon blue plastic drum. Cut drum in half vertically. Use the bottom as an attach point on the trailer. Go up the side of the drum as far as needed to get the fender outside the edge of the tire, and cut drum off there. Done right, one drum = one pair of lightweight, waterproof, non-rusting fenders. They could bolt to the trailer side with three bolts.



A buddy of mine gave me a trailer axle. We lengthened it with a piece of drill stem. (For those of you who aren't in Texas, that's the pipe that goes down the hole to drill an oil well.)

The trailer axle has a square plate on the back with four holes, so it's now possible to make straps that can attach to the axle and to a fender. This would have the fender riding on the axle, so my unsprung weight would go up. The kightweight 55-gallon drum fenders would still work, since there is 2" between the side of the trailer and the side of the tire. Steel fenders would also work.

How about some discussion about the pros and cons of using ultralight fenders, steel fenders, and mounting either on the side of the trailer or on the axle?

[alaska teardrop]

Dave,

A lightwieght fender idea for you to consider. Kampco Steel Products, Inc. 57533 CR-3 South. Elkhart, Indiana 46517-9803. Phone (574) 294-2310 FAX (574) 522-2310. Dick in sales dept. Part #A6404 10 3/4"W x 32"L x 151/2"H X .090"Thick. 1" Radius outside. 90* backside flange. Smooth finish. Paintable. About $22.00 + freight. The flat 1" flange on the inside makes them easy to mount to the side of the body. You could add a thin aluminum flashing on the inside to protect the wood. Also, I use vinyl fender welting from www.wescottsauto.com in Boring, OR. between the body & fender. They have several colors available.

Fred

Edit: Forgot to say that these fenders are mill finish aluminum, weigh 5# each and are probably available from other sources than the manufacturer.

[dwgriff1]

Fred, I saw those fenders earlier. They look good. I will make a pair a little wilder than that, but not for any where near that price.

However, I might get a set to keep me legal until I can get mine finished. I wonder if Redneck has any? I'll check.

I expect to pull my tear to Washington State for Christmas, then it is 2007 and a whole new year!


Arne, I accept your admonition. The highways are full of rigs that have no effective fenders, but we should do better, after all we are tear pullers.

Thanks for the reminder.

dave

[mikeschn]

Dave,

Like almost everyone else, I think fenders add a nice finished look to a teardrop. Be proud of your teardrop, and add the finishing touches.

I've seen people buy, scavage and build fenders.

You could build a couple ribs, bend some plywood over them, and voila, instant fenders. Or you could get some steel fenders from Northern tool. I'll bet there's even people here that have some HF fenders they'd be willing to give you if you like that shape/profile.

Let us know which way you decide to go.

Mike...

[dwgriff1]

Mike,

I have a couple college degrees in Sculpture. I asure you that in the final run I'll make my fenders, it just has to be that way. It is not in my genetic makeup to do anything like everyone else!!!!

Right now I am looking and drawing. When I get the design down, I'll make a buck that will put it into three dimension. From there on it is plaster and fiberglass.

dave

[Juneaudave]

Mike,

I have a couple college degrees in Sculpture. I asure you that in the final run I'll make my fenders, it just has to be that way. It is not in my genetic makeup to do anything like everyone else!!!!

Right now I am looking and drawing. When I get the design down, I'll make a buck that will put it into three dimension. From there on it is plaster and fiberglass.

dave

I like it!!! Bravo...

[jdarkoregon]

Dave, You aren't as old as you will be, My Great Aunt is celebrating her 100th birthday there in your home town this weekend. I'm working this weekend or I would be there,

As for your torsion suspension, I'm clueless, I have leaf springs. $500 would hurt anybody's budget. Part of the fun of building these things is trying to do it on a small budget.

I know this is from left field and I think I'm crazy for suggestiong it, but what about those standard round, steel utility trailer fenders, maybe get a set that fit your tires real close and uniform. put some perfect paint job on them and figure out how to connect them to your torsion suspension in a way that the rattling wouldn't shake them apart?

John

[Classic Finn]

I just cant imagine a teardrop without fenders, wether home made or purchased... Safety is number 1 but looks as well is another... Here it is a law that they must have fenders...

Classic Finn

[alaska teardrop]

Edited previous post, because I forgot to mention that the fenders are aluminum and weigh 5#.

[reiltear]

Hi Dave! (and everybody, of course)

Your trailer looks so good I didn't notice it has no fenders...

Ilya

[dwgriff1]

I know this is from left field and I think I'm crazy for suggestiong it, but what about those standard round, steel utility trailer fenders, maybe get a set that fit your tires real close and uniform. put some perfect paint job on them and figure out how to connect them to your torsion suspension in a way that the rattling wouldn't shake them apart? John

John, I've seen those used very creatively. I also saw a real nice fender made from a tandem axle fender.

I have both torsion axles and spring. I wanted this one low to the ground, and I knew I would be very light weight, which I think favors the torsion axle. Having said that, there are a LOT of very nice spring sprung (sprang?) trailers out there.

dave

[dwgriff1]

Hi Dave! (and everybody, of course)

Your trailer looks so good I didn't notice it has no fenders...

Ilya

Thanks Ilya. BTW what was that photographer story?

dave

[Claw]

I don't know if anyone has found a solution to the problem I have encountered with my $12 steel fenders but... They pick up a lot of road stones and the paint chips. I run on a lot of gravel roads and often repaint the fenders every other trip.
I have had suggestions to put a piece of rubber on the front but I think I will keep painting them until I can get a stainless steel set.

Just a thought as you consider you fender solution Dave