Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **JohnnyH** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:11 pm

I finally pulled the pin and picked up a 5x8 carry-on trailer at Northern Tool over the weekend. So after lurking around here for almost a year I am finally going to get started, get ready for some silly questions.

by **pete42** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:02 pm

Welcome as you know we love pictures.

pete

by **JohnnyH** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:24 pm

As soon as there is something to
show besides a naked trailer I will
post some.

by **aggie79** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:33 pm

Johnny,

Congrats on the start of your teardrop building journey. I second what Pete said. Please post pics as soon as you have progress.

Take care,
Tom

by **JohnnyH** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:04 pm

Thanks for the welcome.
I did a little work on the trailer today, restrung
the taillights to get the wires out of the way, and filled in
the fender openings with tin and sealed them.

by **Deryk the Pirate** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:36 am

Interesting... Does fillingin the back of the fender cut down on water kicking up on the bottom/sides of the trailer?

by **JohnnyH** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:41 am

I got a how-to book from Big Woody trailers out of
Wisconsin, this is on of their tips. I don't know if it's
nessesary but it seems like a good idea to me.

by **mcspin50** » Wed Jul 06, 2011 12:43 am

Welcome to the forum and the madness. I'm also located in western MN and also started my build with the identical trailer. Others on the forum recommended reinforcing the tongue with diagonal bracingHERE ...something for you to consider maybe.
I like the idea of filling in the fenders. It seems like it would help protect the finish on the sides of the trailer. How did you attach the tin? Welding or glueing it?
BTW, be sure to go over to the Tearjerkers website and visit the St. Croix Chapter section. You'll find info on gatherings and other goodies.
We're planning a small gathering July 15-17 at Maplewood State Park (IF the state budget gets settled by then). Otherwise we'll just have to find a new location. Come for the weekend or just come for the day. You can see some completed teardrops. Mine will not be one of them unfortunately

, but I'm plugging along.

by **JohnnyH** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:22 pm

Thanks for the invite, and the advise on the tongue.
The fenders were done with scraps of old ductwork,
cut to shape, drill 4 holes for 8-32 1/2" bolts, lay a bead
of black silicone inside the fender, line it up and bolt it on
[use lockwashers] the seal the inside edge with black
silcone then paint or undercoat.

I've followed your build, it looks great. :thumbsup:

by **JohnnyH** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:04 pm

I finaly got back to it
after a crazy few weeks. :applause:

Got the floor just about ready for covering.

I Have a friend who is going to beef up the tongue for me before
I put the walls up.

My Birtch plywood came the other day but its been way too hot and humid
to do anything until today. I drew out my profile and did the rough cut.

My cheapo Skil jigsaw worked very well, it cut through 2 sheets
of 3/4 birtch nicely.

by **crumbruiser** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:54 am

I am glad to see you starting this build. I will be about 8 or 9 months behind you and will be following your build journal for my own education. So, take your time and please post lots of pictures!
Thanks,
Frank

by **J.Heyboer** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:41 am

Looks like your off to a good start! Keep up the good work.

John

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Getting started in western Minnesota

Getting started in western Minnesota

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