The LT... Thomas' Luxury Tent

[chorizon]

Awesome! That looks great. You ended up with the 4 lights on the hatch. I've been waffling on whether to wimp out and do the lights on the fenders, but I'll definitely take the extra time to put them in the hatch! You've got a lot done this weekend, congratulations!

[2bits]

Awesome! That looks great. You ended up with the 4 lights on the hatch. I've been waffling on whether to wimp out and do the lights on the fenders, but I'll definitely take the extra time to put them in the hatch! You've got a lot done this weekend, congratulations!

Thanks Joshua!

Yeah I thought about the lights on the fenders, but It seems like alot of work there too and the visibility was alot less, not to mention I don't have fenders yet, so this allows me to drive right now (there are alot of things designed like this). This way was VERY easy using these kind of lights, since they just pop in and the gasket is water sealing.

[planovet]

... not to mention I don't have fenders yet, so this allows me to drive right now...

Although it is illegal in Texas to have a trailer without fenders

Nice job on the doors and hatch

[2bits]

... not to mention I don't have fenders yet, so this allows me to drive right now...

Although it is illegal in Texas to have a trailer without fenders

Nice job on the doors and hatch

Really? I did not know that, well if I go anywhere it will be the one off, and not all the time. I don't mind bending the law a little plus it's not good for the trailer, the fenders really have a purpose. Thanks tho, I was not aware!

[norm's tear drop]

Thomas , great looking tear drop you got there
what is the material used on door trim and where did you get it ?
also where did you get hatch hinge?
i can only hope mine turns out half as nice as yours
Norm

P.S can you post pic of open door so i have a better understanding please

[2bits]

Thomas , great looking tear drop you got there
what is the material used on door trim and where did you get it ?
also where did you get hatch hinge?
i can only hope mine turns out half as nice as yours
Norm

P.S can you post pic of open door so i have a better understanding please

Hi Norm, Thanks a bunch!

The hatch hinge is the Harsh Environment (Polyolefin) Plastic Continuous Hinge from McMaster-Carr.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#continuous-hinges/=2jrd0k

The trim is the deadsoft 1" T-Molding from Grant. My father has a "bender" that we used to make the slight angle on top. Here's a pic for ya with my door open!


For the seal I am going to make an inner door frame that attaches to the wall like Mark's Lil Swiss Tear, that will hide my unsightly inner door edge at least while the door is closed.

[mccjeff]

Thomas, It took me 3 sessions of sitting and reading but I finally got thru every post in this thread. All I can say is "Absolutely gorgeous". You should be extremely proud of your accomplishments so far. Really great look, well thought out, great ability to out think problems, fine eye for detail. You are an inspiration. At the same time you have me questioning my ability to pull off something even half as good. I guess I won't know till I try it. I really thank you for being dilligent about posting with pictures too. They are invaluable.

[2bits]

Wow! Thank you Jeff! Welcome to the board and to the fun filled life of teardropdom! My sole experience as a carpenter is one year working with a friend building decks, fences, bookcases, kitchen cabinets and entertainment centers. Otherwise I have years of "shade tree" automotive experience swapping motors and stuff. I just have a strong desire to learn, think things through plan, and once the build started problem solving. It has been something completely new to me and I think anyone with the drive to do it can!

Thank you for the compliment and the full read of the thread sir!

As far as positing pictures, it is a duality. I hope that I can help people as much as the great people here have helped me, and I just LOVE posting pictures! It is an obsession, (just see my personal site!) but if the desire to post what I have gotten accomplished on one particular day keeps me pushing through to get it done, then I will take that motivation anytime!

[Senior Ninja]

I'll second that! You've built nothing short of a work of art. I've enjoyed everyone of your posts.
middle name Thomas

[teardrop_focus]

X 3, my good man! ...and Welcome aboard, mccjeff!

Love those doors!


Man, that thing is getting SO close...

[Mauleskinner]

Looking good, Thomas!

[teardrop_focus]

Hey, man. It's been a week!

I need updates!

[2bits]

Hey I was wondering about you too! I've been seeing a girl so you know how that goes, but she is super great. I haven't been doing too much, I have finalized my hatch lock assembly so it will be unseen on the inside of the hatch. I also decided to us the black aluminum for the hatch headliner.. I figure it will bend to the radius better and I won't seal it, only hold it in with decorative trim screws so I can remove it if I ever need to do any maintnenence or upgrades for electrical stuff, I am already planning to have one of my matching over head lights in the hatch to shine down on the galley counter.

I also drilled some holes and ran the trailer light wires, but they are too short to reach all the way up, so either I go by a longer on, or I just splice in some extra wire so the connector will go to to the front of the tongue. Working on the wiring mainly this wee so nothing special really to report. I am not installing the fuse box until most near the end. My main goal is roadworthy then I will start on the rest!

[2bits]

I got some good hatch work done tonight. I got the entire hatch latch and rod assembly completely installed and bolted in. I am having issues with the female part in the galley wall, (the rods are not hitting below the galley wall cap enough ) but the entire latch assembly is IN and I can open the hatch using the handle now!

I also completed all the tail light harness wiring, front to back A-Z! My truck has a different connector and I want to ditch that and wire in the correct connector rather than using an adapter, so that is tomorrow night then I can take some night time shots and the teardrop will have tail lights!

Here's some pics, that are not that interesting haha


I have the overhead lights just installed temporarily to locate them and they will be permanently installed once the black aluminum headliner goes in.


Glad to have the license plate back on!

[aggie79]

Thomas - you're in the home stretch now!

I remember your initial schedule. It was sort of overly aggressive like mine. But, glad to hear about your girl friend, and adjusting to "teardrop time" for your build. There is a balance in life.

Keep up the good work and postings.

Tom