Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I was thinking on those lines after reading the many posts that are available. I too used foam for the large cracks and have spackle ready for the small cracks. I tend to get lazy toward the end of a project, I think I needed some positive thoughts to keep me on the right track.
I am getting excited at the prospect of ordering my canvas.

Just keep thinking , once the canvas goes on , how NICE it will look !!!

Before you order your main canvas , you might want to check out the local fabric stores ... They usually have lots of canvas on the Bargain table (thrifty) , and that might be good for use as reinforcing strips .. Don’t forget those , they’re important !!! Put them on first , then cover the whole thing ... You’ve already done a Super job , might as well make it as Best you can ...

Sanding done, shop cleaned up....again, so I ordered my canvas. I didn't want too many seams, so I ordered seven foot wide canvas....twenty yards of it. The only seams I'll have are where the top meets the sides. While I wait for the canvas to arrive, I'll spackle and sand the trailer a little smoother.

What are you using for spackling?

Randy

I found some exterior vinyl spackle at Lowes.

My canvas arrived today and now there is a threat of snow thagt is putting at work this weekend. I'll work on it someday.

No threat of snow here. It has been snowing almost non stop all day

Randy

I supervise city snow plow crews, so snow always brings mixed feelings....it's pretty but it causes extra work. I can't imagane there would be much time off for plow crews in Idaho. No matter how bad we think things are, someone has it worse.

Hey Joe,

Just ran across the thread on your latest project.... looking good...

Do you and Deb plan on making the Hoosier Spring TJ Gathering at Shakamak? Tell her we said Hello.

Mark and Pat

I don't know if we'll make it to the spring gathering, but we will be at the big summer get-together.

I have one side with painted canvas on it. I need to trim the edges and paint them down, then on to the other side. I applied the canvas across the window openings, figured I'd trim them after the paint dried. They are tight as a drum. I have a couple flaws that show through the canvas, but I learned a lot on that first side.

Hi joe,

A fast suggestion: When you trim out the canvas from the painted
over windows - if the painted canvas will bend easily - cut the painted
canvas in a big "X" pattern corner-to-corner, so that you have four
triangular 'flags'. Then, bend them inward all around the perimeter of
the window opening and imbed them in the primer/paint painted on the
wooden opening. Then trim that off either flush with the interior wall
face/plane or have it overlap that a 1/4 or 1/2 or 1in or such if that
wouldn't interfere with the interior window trim. You can cut some
scrap of your fabric to cover up the small triangular gaps on the corners
and imbed those in the primer/paint too.

This is a take-off on a technique used to protect window openings in
house construction. They lap the exterior house-wrap or tarpaper [depends
what's being used] etc. this way to try and protect them from water infiltration.

Just somethin g to consider...

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

I now have the two sides covered with canvas. Next will be the top!


This showes the material prior to trimming


This showes an edge that has been painted down and trimmed


Drivers side with windows cut out


Passanger side prior to the door and windows trimmed out

I'll post more pictures when more is completed

They always look Great with the canvas on ...

I finally have all the canvas extertior complete. I used exterior latex flat house paint. I painted the foam exterior, laid the dry canvas on the wet paint, then painted the canvas. The canvas feels tight, I could tell that it did shrink as it dried leaving any small dips in the surface smooth with the canvas not touching in those areas. All the edges are tight, so I'm not worried about the canvas comming loose during travel. I glued all the bottom edges where the canvas folds under the frame, and stapled all the window/door edges.Overall I'm very pleased with the outcome, it should be sturdy and light. That's exactly what I was looking for. My wife wants to final paint the exterior with "more than just white". She says that all that canvas is screaming for something extra. I'll post pictures when all is complete.