Ultralight Construction...

[Guy]

Dear Mike,

Good for you. A great deaal of progress after a little setback. And you get to add a new tool and clamps. Almost sounds like you blew it on purpose.

[PaulC]

Okay you Bunch, Now you've got me intrigued. What the heck is the deal with this laminated method and where do I go to get more info?
Cheers
Paul

[mikeschn]

LOL.... Paul, just when you think you settled on something, something else comes along.

I used this page as a starting point...
http://www.teardrops.us/userfiles/33/te ... anean.html

But I used smaller dowels, no sandpaper, and thinner strips of wood. The offset hole is definitely a winner.

I will end up with 12 layers of lamination, cause the Ultralight has 1 1/2" ribs thru and thru...

Hope that helps...

Mike...

P.S. Guy, no, I definitely did not do that on purpose...

[PaulC]

Mike, Thanks for that. Dead right with "and then something else comes along" It is mentioned on that page that no offroading is contemplated.
Can you foresee any potential probs if this was used in an offroad construction? My thoughts are that by using extra uprights you should be able to gain some integral strength. Remember that my existing trailer comes in at about 1200#.
Cheers
Paul

[mikeschn]

A lot of the strength comes from the walls. If you are planning on off roading with it, I would start by making the doors smaller.

Maybe the framing has to be thicker... instead of 3/4" maybe 1"?

I would probably use the longer tongue...

Hopefully Andrew chips in here...

Mike...

[PaulC]

Time to get out and make a table by the looks of it! I know that I will have to make everything bigger/stronger, so 1" it will be. The longer tongue will have a detrimental effect on entry/departure angles, so I will have to think about that one. Also, the longer tongue will affect the tracking in that it will want to cut corners. That is one of the problems that manufacturers over here have not addressed at this stage. They work on the principle of cramming everything possible in, on or over their trailers.
Cheers
Paul

[mikeschn]

Actually, when I said longer, I meant this...



Instead of this...



Mike...

P.S. Still waiting for Andrew to chip in...

[PaulC]

Okay Mike, so I suffered one of those brain thingies( ) After I posted I realised what you meant Jeez you're quick with those pics

Cheers
Paul

PS Has anybody seen Andrew today.

[angib]

P.S. Still waiting for Andrew to chip in...

Sheesh. You go out to a concert one night a year and everyone complains.....

I'm not sure whether Mike and Paul are even talking about the same subject or, if so, what the subject is.

If it's a laminated frame for the edge of the side walls, I can't see that this is massively loaded, so if it's big enough to work with, it's strong enough. The thing I haven't yet worked out is how the roof beams are going to be attached to it.

Andrew

[madjack]

P.S. Still waiting for Andrew to chip in...

Sheesh. You go out to a concert one night a year and everyone complains.....

I'm not sure whether Mike and Paul are even talking about the same subject or, if so, what the subject is.

If it's a laminated frame for the edge of the side walls, I can't see that this is massively loaded, so if it's big enough to work with, it's strong enough. The thing I haven't yet worked out is how the roof beams are going to be attached to it.

Andrew

...how about a joist hanger...an appropriate sized ready made probably doen't exist but using some angle brackets would work out...a little glue and you shouldbe good to go...would that work????
madjack

[PaulC]

Sheesh. You go out to a concert one night a year and everyone complains.....
I'm not sure whether Mike and Paul are even talking about the same subject or, if so, what the subject is.
If it's a laminated frame for the edge of the side walls, I can't see that this is massively loaded, so if it's big enough to work with, it's strong enough. The thing I haven't yet worked out is how the roof beams are going to be attached to it.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew.
The subject is lightweight offroad. If it means starting another thread, I can do that.
And I will leave the roof beams to Mike.
Cheers
Paul
PS Did you enjoy the concert?

[mikeschn]

Yea Andrew,

The subject is, "Is the Ultralight strong enough to go off road, and if not, how would you beef it up?"

My suggestions were:
smaller doors
thicker framing
longer tongue (under the teardrop)

and here's a new one... thicker luan on the sidewalls

What do you think?

Mike...

[mikeschn]

BTW, I've had enough for one day... success sure is inspiring and motivating, isn't it?

Anyways, here's what the laminated profile looks like at this point... I'll have to sand it down with the random orbital sander... When the roof skins are on (two layers of 1/8" luan) the total thickness will be 1 1/2".

You know, I've heard people talk about laminated frames before, and they always made the comment that the frames are incredibly strong. Well I'm here today to tell you, they are right. You have to build one, and try to flex it to get a true appreciation for how strong this thing is... This will forever change the way I think about teardrops...

BTW, I had fun doing this laminated frame. My feet are not happy with me right now, but tough... I like the way this turned out...



Mike...

[toypusher]

Mike,

Looking good there!!! More pics?

[mikeschn]

Kerry,

I take it you've already seen these and you want more?
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 9376#89376

I'll see what I can do for you tomorrow...

Mike...