Canvas Roofed Teardrop...

Anything to do with mechanical, construction etc

Canvas Roofed Teardrop...

Postby derekxcole » Wed Feb 08, 2006 2:06 pm

Has anyone constructed a teardrop with a canvas roof? I have been thinking a lot about it but since I haven't seen one done I am having a very hard time imagining how to upholster the canvas so that it will attach to the tear and not allow any water in.
My main reason for this idea is to get rid of some weight and so I won't have to build a hatch.
If anyone has done this or has any suggestions then PLEASE post any input.
User avatar
derekxcole
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 50
Images: 1
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 6:43 pm
Location: Ellsworth, Maine

Postby Boodro » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:20 pm

Derek , there has been discussion on different types of tops. Rool top hatch,canvas, pocket, Even 2 piece. The issues that couild happen with canvas is like you said , water, one of the killers of Teardrops! :( Canvas is by construction a very pourus material, you can try to seal it with treatment but it would be a continues job to keep up, I feel. Building a hard hatch is not that difficult as long as you take your time & plan the project, just as in the body. Never rush it & try to think seceral steps ahead , thats where the planning on paper could be a huge help. Also asking or doing a search for previous threads here that would pertain to your questions. as you see there is a plethora of info flowing around this forum , & all ya gotta do is stick out your bucket to catch what ya need, ya know? Anyway just my 2 sense worth , good luck on your build.
We are all travelers in this world , from the sweet grass to the packin house , birth till death , we travel between the eternities . ( Robert Duvall as Prentiss Ritter)
User avatar
Boodro
1000 Club
1000 Club
 
Posts: 1052
Images: 101
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 9:35 pm
Location: Sylvania, Ohio

Postby mikeschn » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:32 pm

So you are thinking about doing something like the Runlite?

http://www.vintage-vacations.com/runlite-trailer.htm

Ross is also building a runlite... Have you started on the top yet?

Mike...
The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten, so build your teardrop with the best materials...
User avatar
mikeschn
Site Admin
 
Posts: 19202
Images: 475
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 11:01 am
Location: MI
Top

Postby Ross Wade » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:53 pm

I have not started the roof yet. Still have a few more things to do before the material is put into place. I probably won't be able to start the roof until mid March. It is just too cold to do anything. I am in the process of adding on to the shop, so I'll have a place to work on the Runlite....and stay warm 8)

Here is what I have done so far: RUNLITE ALBUM

Well, off to Florida for a Tearjerkers gathering,
Ross
Ross
Southern Appalachian Tearjerker Chapter Director
User avatar
Ross Wade
Southern TearJerker
 
Posts: 727
Images: 21
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 8:55 am
Location: Lansing, N.C.
Top

Postby goldcoop » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:09 pm

Also check out Cabinet Maker John's roof...

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jscheuerm ... .dir=/63cc

I think some of the Reinforced Vinyl Coated Nylons that are out there are worth a looksee...

I used EPDM Rubber RV Roll roofing on mine...

Cheers,

Coop
User avatar
goldcoop
Silver Donating Member
 
Posts: 1276
Images: 32
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:02 pm
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Top

roof

Postby oldradio » Thu Feb 09, 2006 1:28 pm

On the Runlite -
What will the roof be made of?
I'm having trouble visualizing even 1/8 ply bending 2 ways.
oldradio
Teardrop Inspector
 
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2006 9:43 pm
Location: Iowa
Top

Postby s4son » Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:03 pm

I know several airplane owners with fabric covered planes and it holds up well if taken care of. They have used these products for 10-12 years and are happy with the results.
http://www.aircraftfinishing.com/

If you're interested in seeing what their planes look like, here is a link to their site.
http://www.kcdawnpatrol.org/

Just my $.02.

Scott F.
Are we there yet?
ImageImage
User avatar
s4son
Donating Member
 
Posts: 1399
Images: 180
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:29 am
Location: Smithville, MO
Top

Re: roof

Postby madjack » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:34 pm

oldradio wrote:On the Runlite -
What will the roof be made of?
I'm having trouble visualizing even 1/8 ply bending 2 ways.


...think, cloth covered canoe ;) ............................................................... 8)
...I have come to believe that, conflict resolution, through violence, is never acceptable.....................mj
User avatar
madjack
Site Admin
 
Posts: 15128
Images: 177
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 5:27 pm
Location: Central Louisiana
Top

Re: roof

Postby Nitetimes » Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:24 pm

madjack wrote:
...think, cloth covered canoe ;) ............................................................... 8)


naaahh, think tent!. got tired of it leakin and gettin me wet. too much maintenance for me.
Rich


Image
ImageImage
-
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to
keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves
against tyranny in government.
- Thomas Jefferson -
Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take a butt kickin'.
User avatar
Nitetimes
7000 Club
7000 Club
 
Posts: 7909
Images: 194
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2005 12:44 am
Location: Butler,PA
Top

Postby Steve_Cox » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:21 pm

BG started a thread a few months ago about an alternate material for a roof, I thought Steve Fredrick had some pretty good insight too.
[linkage to the above mentioned thread]

Steve 8)
Steve
User avatar
Steve_Cox
4000 Club
4000 Club
 
Posts: 4903
Images: 196
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:46 am
Location: Albuquerque New Mexico
Top

Postby goldcoop » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:35 pm

OK!

Back to Vinyl Coated Nylons, here's the best buy I found and they will also thermo fuse clear acrylic windows in to spec for a nominal fee:

http://tinyurl.com/exsev

They are resonably priced, UV stable, tough as nails, come in large sized rolls and various colors!

Just something to think about :roll:

Cheers,

Coop
User avatar
goldcoop
Silver Donating Member
 
Posts: 1276
Images: 32
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:02 pm
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Top

Postby emiller » Thu Feb 09, 2006 10:23 pm

User avatar
emiller
Donating Member
 
Posts: 3421
Images: 157
Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2004 11:00 pm
Location: Arizona, Phoenix
Top

Postby derekxcole » Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:55 am

goldcoop wrote:OK!

Back to Vinyl Coated Nylons, here's the best buy I found and they will also thermo fuse clear acrylic windows in to spec for a nominal fee:

http://tinyurl.com/exsev

They are resonably priced, UV stable, tough as nails, come in large sized rolls and various colors!

Just something to think about :roll:

Cheers,

Coop

Has anyone used this tuff? It looks good to me!
User avatar
derekxcole
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 50
Images: 1
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 6:43 pm
Location: Ellsworth, Maine
Top

Postby Mitheral » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:05 pm

Rather than canvas think ragtop convertible. You'll need roof bows and ways of attaching that allows for replacement. Simple snaps like on 50-60 roadsters would probably be sufficient. Convertible tops on cars are good for about five years if not garaged.
Mitheral
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 179
Images: 19
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:05 pm
Location: Canada
Top

Postby Classic Finn » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:42 pm

Mitheral wrote:Rather than canvas think ragtop convertible. You'll need roof bows and ways of attaching that allows for replacement. Simple snaps like on 50-60 roadsters would probably be sufficient. Convertible tops on cars are good for about five years if not garaged.




Now you hit the Bulls Eye... A ragtop - That would be cool.. I agree with that... :thumbsup: :applause:


Classic Finn ;)
Royal Teardrop Society Scandinavian Bureau Chief of Staff

Image
User avatar
Classic Finn
Midnight Sun Voyager
Midnight Sun Voyager
 
Posts: 17488
Images: 146
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 4:29 am
Location: Country of Finland
Top


Return to Teardrop Construction Tips & Techniques

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 2 guests