Mounting fiberglass fenders

[Juneaudave]

Sorry for a repeat...I know this has been discussed before. Is there a suggested bolt spacing for mounting a set of fiberglass fenders? What size bolts and washers? Thanks folks...Juneaudave

[Micro469]

I thought you had made wooden fenders...

[Juneaudave]

I did..... It's a funny thing about my wood fender disaster. First off...Andrew was kind enough to do a profile for a Wesley SlumberCoach and drew up some retro fenders for a 14 inch wheel. The drawings were very nice. I still owe Andrew a box of salmon for that, but I haven't figured out how to send things overseas. One of the things that I had in mind was to match the the curve of the fenders to the profile, so I built the fenders first (after enlarging them for a 15 inch. wheel)...then cut the profile . The Tear was to tow behind a very boxy shaped Honda Element. When I mocked it up.... everything was out of proportion . The Element was too tall...something wasn't right with the fenders...I just didn't like the package.

Sooooo....On to re-design... I ended up with this pair of really nice wood fenders sitting here that look out of proportion. Bummer...I'm dissatisfied with them. One problem is that (being in Juneau).... I have never even seen another pair of fenders (much less a finshed Teardrop) to see where I have gone wrong.

At that point and being the desparate guy, ...I get hold of Grant and order a pair of the nice fiberglass fenders from him having just received my Permanent Fund check from the State of Alaska..... I think OK, easy come, easy go, here is mad money...BTW...shipping to Alaska would make you cry. Grant sent them up...I matched them to the wood ones...and here is what kills me!!!! They are almost identical except for the front leg that needs to be shortened!!! Something I could have done in a couple hours!!!!

At this point...I could go wood fenders...or I could go fiberglass. I'm leaning towards painted roof and fenders, with stripper sides. Anyway...I still need to mount the fenders.

[glassice]

fenders washers make sure you use them it depends sides of lip if it tapers less cracks now thick are they 9 in are 11 how much over hang

[Chaotica]

fenders washers make sure you use them it depends sides of lip if it tapers less cracks now thick are they 9 in are 11

Can someone translate this please?

[glassice]

fenders washers have small hole (I-E) 5/16 hole and 2" round .If fenders are only 2 layer of mat on the lip need more support I seen lips 3/8 thick that have no give and snap. Fenders take a lot of a beaten how many time have you been BS and someone put a foot on your bumper are a tree jump in your way and be sure some one will think there a great chair

[Miriam C.]

fenders washers make sure you use them it depends sides of lip if it tapers less cracks now thick are they 9 in are 11

Can someone translate this please?

Use fender washers to get less cracks. Placement depends on where the lip tapers less. How thick are the fenders, 9" or 11"? I think he means width.

Am I close?

Dave sounds like you have a great start on #2.

[Steve_Cox]

Sorry for a repeat...I know this has been discussed before. Is there a suggested bolt spacing for mounting a set of fiberglass fenders? What size bolts and washers? Thanks folks...Juneaudave

Dave,

I used six evenly spaced 5/16" bolts to mount each of my fiberglass fenders, also used fender washers and I made 3/16ths thick neoprene washers the same size as the fender washers to protect the fiberglass.

[asianflava]

Even with my big fenders I just 4 bolts. Actually, I think one of them only has 3 right now. I've got well over 5000 miles on them and they are fine.

Yes, I used "fender washers" that is the correct name for them. They are washers that have a large outside diameter and a small inside diameter. They are like that so they can spread the load out without having to use gigantic bolts.

[doug hodder]

Dave...I used 5 bolts on mine but I don't have an insulated wall. I made sure I got both ends of the fender at the bottom of the side, and split the difference on the rest. I stuck the bolts through from the inside using washers and fender washers on the glass lip on the fender...Since I couldn't hide them on the interior, I painted them out with a hammer finish bronze. Doug

[madjack]

...1/4" elevator bolts, thru a 3/4" wall and thru the fender lip...fender washers and nylock nuts on the inside of the fender...we used 10 per side which was way more than needed but that is just the way it worked out...we also used 1/16th x 1.25" closed cell weatherstipping as welting between the body and the fenders...we are very pleased with how it has worked so far....
madjack