Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Yes, I agree that I could (should) have set the axle a bit further back than I did. I went on the premise that I would have the front half of the tt loaded with goodies, and have doors on the cabinets, potty in the potty room, goods in the cabinets, and a battery in the tongue box. - Those things aren't done yet; on the schedule, just not 'yet'. (Teardrop time?)

When I get her ready for a real trip and camping, I will definitely try to get a 'a place for everything - and everything in its place' plan going.

Final roll-out...

I really like the color,,,

LesterS wrote:Yes, I agree that I could (should) have set the axle a bit further back than I did. I went on the premise that I would have the front half of the tt loaded with goodies, and have doors on the cabinets, potty in the potty room, goods in the cabinets, and a battery in the tongue box. - Those things aren't done yet; on the schedule, just not 'yet'. (Teardrop time?)

When I get her ready for a real trip and camping, I will definitely try to get a 'a place for everything - and everything in its place' plan going.

On the issue of tongue weight, I believe there is a good argument to be made for more rather than less. 10% would most likely be too little for good towing, but perhaps more importantly, it's nice to be able to move around inside the trailer without any fear of tipping it. Have enough weight on the tongue so that you can move all the way to the rear of the trailer without lifting the tongue. Having jacks in the rear seems to me just proof of insufficient tongue weight and, of course, jacks are just a nuisance.

I know it is way late to this party, but what kind of paint did you use on this trailer and how has it held up?

Dan

Dan,

I used a semi-gloss exterior grade latex house paint; two coats, over two coats of Zinsser Bulls eye 123 acrylic (water based) primer, over a thin coat of epoxy.
The primer went over the epoxy beautifully, and attached itself very well.

On the whole the paint held up very well.
But a white camper living outdoors does pickup stains!
Especially when the local song birds' diet includes purple poke berries.
Between the bird doo and the grunge from the maple trees; she got quiet dirty.
For the most part it washed off fairly well with car wash soap.

Now, I have learned that the epoxy alone is not really enough deterrent to fully protect from the effects of the environment.
OR -- I maybe didn't make the epoxy coat thick enough.
But there really needs to be a barrier that cannot crack when the underlying, material tries to change shape.

I have experienced some spots where the the luan has split or "checked".
The solution?
KEEP AFTER IT.
I usually just carve out the little split (they tend to be no more than and inch long), then re-epoxy; usually with a more robust coating and some filler when needed. Or epoxy AND fiberglass cloth for any stubborn spots.

For future reference...
I would definitely make the epoxy coat thicker or cover the whole build with glass cloth embedded in the epoxy.

But for paint?
No changes.
I would paint a boat that way... and just may.

- - - - - -

I looked at your built thread. Nice work.
Since you have used the fiberglass cloth in your build, I don't foresee you running into to the same issues as I had above.

If you are trying to hide imperfections (aren't we all?) I would keep in mind the 10-foot rule.
If it looks good from 10 feet... it rules.

My latex paint didn't cover the imperfections, neither did it enhance them... it just painted over them!

Helpful masking hint (for those stripes) ...

1) Paint the whole base coat.
2) Let dry.
3) Mask for the stripes.
4) Paint the EDGES of the Tape where new cover will be going, but with the BASE COLOR.
- (The paint WILL bleed under the masking tape; so it should be the SAME color).
5) Let the "tape edge sealing coat" dry.
6) THEN you can paint the stripe color(s).

It will make for VERY sharp edges on your stripes.

Keep buildin' on Teardrop Time!

Lester,

Great looking build - economical both in $ and lbs!

Any updates/trip reports?