Lil' Nugget build

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Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:59 pm

I've started the build. Initially, I was motivated to get a teardrop to go on our monthly outings with our GPAA chapter.
I was able to barter some services with one of our members who also restores Airstream trailers and who welded and built my frame.
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But I also have a challenge with trying to figure out how to attach fenders to the frame that will allow me room to attach the walls and wood trim. I need the fenders on in order to register it with the state.
It's a good life!
Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:02 pm

While I am waiting for a response from my friend, I've continued with some more stuff.
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Last edited by kenafp on Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
It's a good life!
Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby BuildingForFun » Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:26 pm

Your frame looks nice, and also it looks like it should be light. What are the dimisions of the floor?
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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:30 pm

I used grant's plans. I just gave my friend the plans and the axle which was set at 59". The length is 10' with a bumper extended beyond that.
It's the Little Bear model
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Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby S. Heisley » Thu Aug 07, 2014 7:29 pm

5'X10'? You should be very comfortable in that.
Keep on working. We're watching! :SG
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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby pchast » Thu Aug 07, 2014 10:31 pm

When do you intend to register the trailer? Now or when its finished?

For now they could be bolted direct to the frame if necessary. Otherwise
I've bolted direct to the tear side wall into hard blocks glues in the foam.
;)
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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:31 am

I am planning on registering it before assembly.
It's a good life!
Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:33 am

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It's a good life!
Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:36 am

I made the mistake of rolling on the 3 coats of spar varnish. I got way too many bubbles. I should know better since I'm a painting contractor! But I am planning on applying at least one more coat once the walls and trim are installed
It's a good life!
Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:42 am

Also, I have a problem with the door cut out. I wasn't very straight with the jigsaw, particularly on the curved top. I didn't sand it out because then there would be a gap there.
Once I install the aluminum door trim, would that gap be a problem?
Or would the waviness be more of a problem?
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Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Thu Sep 11, 2014 6:47 pm

Applying the underside coating

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It's a good life!
Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby alaska teardrop » Sun Sep 14, 2014 12:08 pm

Hi Ken,
Looks like you're of to a good start. :thumbsup:
Not to be critical, but to point out a potential weak point in your frame design. Depending on the trailer weight & tongue length, a fair amount of vertical stress is created where the tongue meets the front cross member while towing. On some trailers the two outside tongue pieces are run under the front cross member & attached to the side rails further back and/or the center piece extends back to the first inner cross member.
At this point a potential fix might be to weld the appropriate size tube to the underside of the center tongue tube & run it back to the first cross member by the axle.
For a better understanding of proper tongue strength see Andrew's page here:
http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear84.htm
Fred
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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Sun Sep 14, 2014 12:36 pm

Hey. I appreciate the comments. The frame was built and designed by a friend of mine who restores and repairs airstream trailers. Because of his expertise, I let him go with it. I don't weld, and all I can do is follow directions. So, I am OK with his design. I also asked another friend of mine who is a professor of physics, retired, for advice. His hobby is building and welding machine parts. He over engineers everything. His design is the same as what I have built. So, I went with it, confriming what my trailer building friend did. If I did it, I would have done just what you said. But I left it up to the "experts". :)

I guess I can always add support pieces to it, if we run into problems down the road.
It's a good life!
Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby kenafp » Sun Sep 14, 2014 12:56 pm

I would assume that shimmying and swaying would be a potential problem that would show itself in an early run on the road. Once I get it registered, it will go on a test drive to look for any early problems that can get fixed before the build gets any further along.
It's a good life!
Ken

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Re: Lil' Nugget build

Postby alaska teardrop » Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:33 pm

kenafp wrote:I would assume that shimmying and swaying would be a potential problem that would show itself in an early run on the road. Once I get it registered, it will go on a test drive to look for any early problems that can get fixed before the build gets any further along.

Ken,
Either I wasn't clear or you are misunderstanding. Shimmying & swaying is not the issue. As you tow down the road, the vertical load at the three points where the tongue meets the front cross member is constantly changing causing flex that will eventually crack & break if not done correctly. Your center piece on it's own adds very little vertical strength because it will simply twist the front cross member. Therefore, the vertical load is all on the two outer pieces. By cutting the top & bottom flanges of the channels, bending them & welding at those two joints reduces their vertical strength at the point where you need it the most.
Airstream, BTW, runs the tongue back under the cabin so that the cabin is part of the structural strength.
Andrew's 'Tongue Strength' page is based on the Australian laws for building trailers. True expert advise, I'd say. Run it by the professor.
Fred
Northern Lite Traveler design: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=51991
Minimalist torsion axle frame: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=12220
Alaska Teardrop photo gallery: http://tnttt.com/gallery/album.php?album_id=2014
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