Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi All

I am able to start gathering materials for my TD

I am looking for info on the sources for the galley hinge at the back of the TD

Those of you who have aldready built, are you happy with the hinge you used or would you use a different one?

Let me know your suppliers, please...

Any replies will be appreciated

DEE

Well, Dee, I used a piano hinge made of aluminum that I got from Granger..I was gonna use a pivot, but that didn't work out too well, so aluminum it is.

Go with a Stainless steel piano hinge. They are not that much more than aluminum.
On goggle type stainless steel piano hinge! There are several sources for them.
The steel hinge will last longer and has three times the strength for the same weight as aluminum. There is a link on the site to a hardware supplier that has them up to 8’ long.
Austin Hardware and Supply, Inc.
Chuck

Some sources for the Galley hinge (aluminum):
http://www.teardrops.net/LilBear/parts.html
http://www.teardroptrailers.net/
http://www.teardropparts.com/parts.htm
I purchased the LilBear hinge.
Norm

Chuck Craven wrote:Go with a Stainless steel piano hinge. They are not that much more than aluminum.
On goggle type stainless steel piano hinge! There are several sources for them.
The steel hinge will last longer and has three times the strength for the same weight as aluminum. There is a link on the site to a hardware supplier that has them up to 8’ long.
Austin Hardware and Supply, Inc.
:D Chuck

How do you water proof a piano hinge? I can't figure that out!

DEE

Dee Bee wrote:

Chuck Craven wrote:Go with a Stainless steel piano hinge. They are not that much more than aluminum.
On goggle type stainless steel piano hinge! There are several sources for them.
The steel hinge will last longer and has three times the strength for the same weight as aluminum. There is a link on the site to a hardware supplier that has them up to 8’ long.
Austin Hardware and Supply, Inc.
Chuck

How do you water proof a piano hinge? I can't figure that out!

DEE

I think most folks that use them attach a rubber strip on both sides of it. For all that effort I used a hurricane hinge from Grant Whipp which is fool proof and keeps things bone dry.

Denny

For all that effort I used a hurricane hinge from Grant Whipp which is fool proof and keeps things bone dry.

Ditto! And Grant is nice to deal with too!

I used this stuff. The description and image are stolen from McMaster-Carr.

Load-Rated Plastic Piano Hinges
These load-rated polyolefin hinges provide smooth operation and long life both indoors and out. An alternative to metal piano hinges, they are designed to be surface mounted with screws, nails, or other fasteners (not included). They have a flexible webbed middle that's 7/32" Wd. x 3/64" Thick., and can be cut to length with a hacksaw or shears. From the folded position, the range of motion is 360° . Temperature range is -40° to +180° F.



The stuff was a bit of a pain to seal, not much sticks to it. Once I got it sealed, no worries. No leakage at all.

"For all that effort I used a hurricane hinge from Grant Whipp which is fool proof and keeps things bone dry.

"Ditto! And Grant is nice to deal with too!"

I second that.

Someone on the TD times board used the plastic hinge and it did not last as long. it started to crack at the fold.

roger-c

I prefer stainless piano hinge I buy at the local boat/fishing store. Aluminum puckers and cracks too easy.I cut an old innertube and place under it and screw down. I then caulk both edges to make sure. It has worked well for me.

I've been curious about the rubber seal, how long does this last? I would think that that it wouldn't last long because the rubber being exposed to direct sunlight and has to flex with the hinge. Is is a pain to replace?

I have used 1/8”T X 4”W rubber form the hardware store on a shed door.
Got the rubber for ACE Hardware.
The rubber has been on it for 20 years and still looks good!
I put the rubber over the SS hinge.
And used ½” wide by 1/16” aluminum strips and screws to seal the edges of the rubber. Did not use any caulk, rubber is self sealing.
Chuck

I did the same thing on my 1st. tear galley hinge Chuck. It is still like new and it has been stored outside from the time I finished it just use a little armor all every now an then.