The LT... Thomas' Luxury Tent

[jkidd6339]

They look really great Thomas !!

[S. Heisley]

Thomas:

Your trailer looks absolutely awesome with the new fenders on. The fenders look great and the detail that you went into on your build will surely help many other people in their quest for an attractive teardrop.

Don't forget to update your hall of fame picture with this new and improved version! You deserve people seeing your teardrop at its very best.

[DasBaldGuy]

Powder is always awesome and looks great on those fenders!

[aggie79]

Fantastic! Thomas, your fenders came out great! Thanks for posting the pics and your experiences on installing the fender welt.

BTW, you may want to consider putting in that top screw or bolt for another reason. I've noticed at the few gatherings I've been to that some teardrops have trays or camping trinkets on on top of the fenders. I'm guessing that besides creating a theme, they are also there to keep people from sitting or leaning on the fenders.

Can't wait to see you and your trailer and Beavers Bend next weekend!

[2bits]

Alright! Fenders are ON! It is freezing cold and was raining when I left this morning, but I wasn't gonna be stopped! I had everything planned out for how they were going to be installed, I marked the front since that one sits directly next to the frame, and I figured we would weld that first, then weld on the hangar for the back and weld the fender to the hangar.

When I stopped by the blue store to get a pice of angle for the hangar I could see a guy had stopped and was looking at the Teardrop for a while, and when I came out he said he just built a '39 street rod and would love something like that and ask me if I would sell it. NOPE.



So I get to my usual muffler shop and they said they were just too jam packed to do it today! I was really disappointed but couldn't blame them, it was their busiest day of the week, just a couple hours before they close, showing up with no notice.

I was not about to wait until next Friday morning before I hit the road to Beaver's Bend so even though I knew most places would be the same situation and I would probably get shafted of the welding charge because it is a non standard type of deal, I still would not be stopped.

I g00gled and the first place I called I told the guy I had a utility trailer and I needed 10, 2" welds which was the truth. When I got there the dude was totally cool, and we chatted it up like crazy and all the guys there were very interested in the teardrop. He asked me how much I would charge to build him one. I must have some kind of good mojo with Muffler shop people because we were there working on it for at least 45 min and when it was all over I asked him how much and he said "Whatever you want"



So I pulled out my wallet and I said well I can give you all my money or I can pay you with my card, and I counted up the measly $17 dollars I had and he said that was plenty. I think he just enjoyed the experience of working on something interesting. Soooo I got the fenders on and I didn't get shafted!

Tom you are right, I actually had the same thought about putting stuff on the fenders. They don'r hardly move at all, but I can move them with my hand and they are not super tight up against the body so once the heater warms up the garage a bit, I am going to go out and drop a screw or two in.

OK enough talking how about some PICS! I am sorry if I bog anyones computer down, We all love pics here and I am definitely a Pic person! !

It's just cool seeing it up on a lift. The width of the wheels made it barely fit! That was a little hairy while rolling up on the rack.



A couple of shots of the mounts, the first was easy and just sat flush on the a-frame:


The rear had to have a hangar installed but it was still no biggie:


Now for some fun pics:

[Cliffmeister2000]

Wow! I just went back to the first post. 25 months! What a great job!

[jjohnston]

Thomas,

I just spent two weeks reading this thread from beginning to today. I have to say that that is one amazing looking teardrop! And I can understand why your build inspires others. I haven't started "making sawdust" yet, but I browse this form for ideas as I work on planning my build. I hadn't planned on a teardrop, yet after seeing yours and how well it is coming together, I may just change my mind. The pics are just awesome!

[2bits]

Thanks so much guys! I think on my build, I tried to pay equal attention to form as well as function, to the best of my ability. Style is important to me whereas to alot of people, they just want to camp, and there is nothing wrong with anyone's approach! My teardrop is certainly not perfect by any means, but I think it looks cool which is important to me, and it doesn't leak, and it is very functional. It's all about what you are wanting yourself.

Since I was a kid I always loved building clubhouses, and this is the ultimate clubhouse. One of the guys actually called it that at the muffler shop today! The Clubhouse would be a cool name for a teardrop drop I think I've changed mine enough haha so that's fair game. I've also built a few classic cars so I think this is a nice combination of the two.

25 Months eh! That's two years! I started camping in it right at a year and a half.

[vetjeb]

If you can see the fender vibrating as you go down the road get more support. I lost a fender once on my midget hauler and it is amazing the damage they can do. The fenders look great and really give your project that finished look. Looks like a fun 2010 season for you.

[2bits]

I can't see them vibrating or moving at all while I am driving, but I can tell they do just because I can slightly move them. Slightly move equals imminent failure. It just got too dang cold tonight so I rested and relaxed this evening, I worked hard today, I deserve it, and I can drill a couple of holes anytime. hehe

Meanwhile, here's a pic I did in photoshop with all the trim on! I was gonna do the oak shelf liner trick for the rest of my trim but when I was there, I found this totally cool brushed aluminum shelf liner! It is completely realistic and I couldn't resist, it's $5 so it it doesn't look right I can take it off, but it looks like real aluminum which will bring out the rest of the trim which I like, and the wood you can tell it fake. I'll get it on tomorrow or sometime during the week.

BEAVERS BEND Comin up!

[H-Balm]

Wow.

That is a great look. Fenders really finish these off. Not to mention the hubcaps.

What is the width of this trailer?
What tire size is that?

[starleen2]

Thomas - good decision going with the black - from behind, the fenders really set the tear off!

[Mike_La]

Thomas, the fenders look great. I was on the fence trying to decide which color to go with for my fenders, Silver or Black.
Now, after seeing yours, I'm gonna go with Black powdercoat.

[Classic Finn]

Wow Thomas That is astonishingly Beeeeeeuuuutiful. Absolutely Finntastic.

So when is number 2 going to start?

You are a true craftsman..now aint that mildly stated..

Your going to have lines of people waiting for a Tour..Be prepared.

[2bits]

HahaI feel like a rock star again LOL

Yeah, I was real torn on the fender color, but I totally made the right decision on the black! I was worried that the finish would not match, but they look perfect together. I think the black fenders "join" the top with the sides.

This is a 5 foot wide and the tires are 205/70's on 14" wheels. I shoulda got 15" wheels so I can use my truck spare, but considering my truck doesn't even have a spare ummm... yeah... I think I'll put that on the list for beavers bend eh... Thanks for asking! I had forgotten about that!

I am stockpiling spare parts for a second build, but I don't plan on a second one for me, I like mine this next one will be financed by someone and be their teardrop, as I can't afford to build another one. I have a buddy who is tentatively set for the next one to be his.