Father-Daughter Build 2013-14

[KCStudly]

That looks very nice indeed!

Lauren, I hope you and dad added some sort of feature to pin the lower legs of your hatch props. Several people have learned the hard way that a sudden gust of wind can easily flip a hatch over backward and cause some significant damage. The hatch may seem heavy enough that you would think that it just can't happen, but it is also a sizable area for the wind to act on, so it can be deceiving.

I would hate to see that happen to your beautiful handiwork.

[oakinteriors1]

KC that is a scary thought.....

[KCStudly]

Yup, but it has happened more than a couple of times.

[KCStudly]

Here's one very experienced TDer's report. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=18564#p18564

This guy (Grant Whipp) should know what is what, and if he advises clips... http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=70802#p70802

There are other reports of this happening, at least one where the pins had been included but were not in use at the time because the owner thought the weather was okay and didn't bother inserting them.

[lfrazer98]

KC, we have 2 more of the "broom" clips for the bottoms of the legs to adhere to the sides walls. It is a very heavy hatch, but I have no idea how it compares to others. I will be installing them, but can't imagine wind lifting it. Better safe than sorry!

This should do it, right?

[KCStudly]

Somewhere on here I posted a link to a wind force calculator.

Think about a sail boat and how much water must be moved out of the way to get one to move. It isn't so much the weight of the boat as the size of the sail.

Your clips don't look like they would keep the props from lifting straight up and out of them. It would be very easy to drill thru the clip and the props so that a pin (even a nail with the point cut off or something fancier) could be slipped thru while the hatch is up.

Just saying, "the hatch seems awfully heavy for that to happen" has bitten people before.

[DMcCam]

It is a very heavy hatch, but can't imagine wind lifting it. Better safe than sorry!

Hi Lauren, In your quote you have answered the question of whether to better secure the or not. I've heard of several folks with heavy hatches being thrown back over the top of their roof from a rogue gust. If a strong gust lifts it up a foot or so and the supports move inward, it could easily crash down on you. I'm with KC on this, secure it with some sort of active restrainer. As you said, "Better safe than sorry!"

Oh, and one more thing...FANTASTIC BUILD YOU TWO!!!

All the Best,

Dave

[rebapuck]

Your build is a beautiful thing. Congratulations.

I think KC's suggestion is a very simple fix. Just drill a horizontal hole, from front to back, through the clip and pole. Stick a nail in it.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Hi Lauren,
Hoping your school year is off to a great start!
a stitch in time....my advice is to:
Secure your hatch......my wife, Joanie, had hers blow off this July while parked at Applegate Lake Td gathering. According to eyewitness reports a gust off the lake just blew it right up and it landed on top of the tear WITH NO DAMAGE to the hatch or the drop!....well, other than the fact the hatch and trailer were now two separate entities !! Unbelievable how it came off so quickly, and was such a clean break. And all the while she was having fun playing in the sprinklers down at the other end of the camp.

[be_a_jayhawk]

I have watched the thread since we were both in the early trailer frame phase. Just wanted to say it looks fantastic and done in great time too. Congrats on the hard work it certainly paid off. Happy camping!

[lfrazer98]

Hello, Everyone!! I am very excited to take my trailer out this Spring! I already signed up for The Spring TearUp in the Adirondacks and 2 Tearjerker events, one near Niagara Falls and one in PA. I had to post a few more pictures since my custom awning was finished in October from the Montana Awning Lady. I think she did a fantastic job and it makes my camper look just perfect. It is outdoor rated fabric, but I bought 32oz of fabric waterproofer (303 Fabric Guard) to treat it the first hot, sunny day we get.

I hope you all enjoyed the holidays and are happy and healthy!

[S. Heisley]

That looks terrific!

Thanks for checking in and posting more pictures. Have fun camping this spring!

[Vedette]

Great to see back on the Forum Lauren!
Teardrop is looking Great! You are going to have a wonderful camping season ahead of you.
Oh and you should find some gas struts to help lift your heavy hatch and secure it from going over??? We saw Joanie's go at Applegate.....it happened in the blink of an eye!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[KCStudly]

Hello stranger! The awning is very nice.

[Sheddie]

Hi Lauren,
That is all looking very nice. I hope that when your camping season starts that you have many happy outings.
I have to agree with Brian about the gas struts to help lift and secure the hatch. I can't see those broom clips stopping it flying over if a wind gust were to blow through.