Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **WesGrimes** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:48 am

I decided to build a teardrop several months ago and after much reading and research decided to build it all out of fiberglass.

I decided to build the frame last, so that I could adjust as it as needed to fit the finished fiberglass part. Once that mold is finished there is no adjusting dimensions.

I am currently building the plug for the mold.

by **starleen2** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:58 am

AHHH - a hand laid fiberglass mold teardrop? :thinking:

Is this going to be a one off one of a kind tear. Most of the fibergalss methods of homebuilts use a foam sandwich core. Sure gonna be nice when finished.

by **TomW** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:58 am

I wanted to do a fiberglass body at one time but was scared to death. I decided to go the conventional route. I did fiberglass tape all the seams and epoxy coat the exterior. Worked out OK in the end. My worry about the "fiberglass" was for nothing.

What thickness of matte are you going to use for the sides and roof? Are you building in sections or plan on doing all but the bottom and lifting off mold?

I am interested in the outcome. Keep posting pictures :thumbsup:

by **WesGrimes** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:15 pm

I started to do a one off fiberglass trailer, but for just a little more effort I could go ahead and create a set of molds. That way I could create additional trailers for little money or time. All of the cost and labor goes in to the plug and molds.

I have not decided for sure what cloth schedule I am going to use. 8 layers of 7.5oz cloth sounds good, but is kind of pricey. 2 layers of 20oz woven roving with 4 layers of 1.5oz CSM is the cheaper way to go, but is heavier.

As for foam core construction, I was planning on spraying 2" of PU Foam on the inside of the shell, but after reading about the toxicity of that stuff I am looking for greener options. The shell will be strong enough to not need this for structural support.

I will be filling in the plug framework in the pictures with pour and mix PU foam and coating it with CSM and Resin. This whole thing will be thrown away once the molds are built though.

The mold will be 4 parts for the top 1 for the bottom and 3 for the doors. The floor will be bolted to the top kind of like how a boat is put together.

Thanks,
Wes

by **2bits** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:29 pm

I like the way you are thinking about this toward the future! I have a friend who is building a Vari-ese EZ fiberglass plane so I have watched his progress on it. It is some seriously strong stuff!

Looking forward to seeing the progress!

by **aggie79** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:28 am

Wes,

Thanks for going where few have gone before. I'm interested in seeing how the plug and mold method works.

Next time I visit my parents in the land of the gar - they live near Jupiter Road and Renner Road - I may swing by to see your progress and Thomas' teardrop.

Tom

by **Arne** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:10 am

I applaud your efforts, but see insulation and interior ceiling build problems. If I were to do a # 3, I would go with 1/8" exterior and interior using conventional building practices and light weight studding, then fiberglass the outside using light weight cloth.

But, I will follow your build with interest...

by **WesGrimes** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:01 pm

Tom,
Feel free stop on by and check out my little Frankenstein. I am at 78 & 190.

Arne,
I know what you mean about the interior finishing issues. I have played with several options for this in my head. I think I am going with a "cross that bridge when I get there" solution, as it involves the least amount of work at the moment.

But I would add that no challenge is too great with enough money and time... Sadly, I have neither.

by **2bits** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:36 pm

I'll be glad to pull mine up there if you swing by and I am available! I am on 78 too on the Southside at Centerville, a straight 5 mile shot!

by **robertaw** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:06 pm

I don't exactly know what's going on here but I have a feeling it's going to be something really cool!

I'll be watching with great interest.

by **RAYVILLIAN** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:37 am

I'm curious how much does that frame work weigh? My rear brain is working on a design that needs a very light structure for the roof section. It looks like that is only 1 sheet of plywood in the whole frame.

Gary

by **WesGrimes** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:48 am

Weight was not a concern when building the frame as it will not be used in the final product, just the plug. That said, it is pretty light. I have not weighed it, but I think it is under 100lbs. I can lift it myself, but it is kind of akward...

There are 4 sheets of plywood used so far, but there was a lot of waste, so I would guess 2 sheets are there. I used roof sheeting. It is like 3/8" or so and kind of low grade, but at $9/sheet I can forgive imperfections.

by **RAYVILLIAN** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:16 am

I've been thinking about a smaller version of the Trailmanor for quite awhile. So I'm looking for an extremely light build technique for the top half of the design. Don't want to steal your thread so enough said.
Thanks Gary

by **WesGrimes** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:24 pm

Uh-oh.. about to find out how strong that temporary frame is.
I had not counted on my tarp holding water. Not sure what is worse. Getting my plywood wet, or watching it crumble under hundreds of pounds of water weight. :thinking:

by **2bits** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:06 pm

Yeah, and it has been raining for two days straight!~ ! ~ got a sheet of plywood you can toss on top under the tarp?

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Wes' teardrop - Fiberglass finished Bondo started - Page 9

Wes' teardrop - Fiberglass finished Bondo started - Page 9

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