Jay's Teardrop Trailer

Sunday, July 1, 2018

UPDATE 8 MONTHS................19,000 MILES

But souvenir hatpins. Break off pin. Mount by 3m double side tape. Decals=seal edges with Diamond gloss from Staples. Running weight loaded around 700#'s.

UPDATE

All the built in LED's work great. But these little ditties from Harbor Freight are great. Usually the freebee when you make a purchase.

Was not going to trouble doing the ultra shine..............ala antique Airstream route.............but did it anyway. Two great products for sealing raw, polished aluminum. Everbrite=online. Diamond=Staples. Secret=super clean surface. Lac thinner and multiple alcohol washed first. Use lint free micro fibers towel as applicator. Great shine, no oxidation, excellent water spot fighter. Periodically, after washing, coat with Johnson's Lemon Pledge.

UPDATE 19,000 MILES.........8 MONTHS

Developed a roof leak in Florida. Met a rep at Home Depot from the Gardner Company. They make a fantastic batch of elastomer roll out products and tape. Leak gone and many degrees cooler.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Snooze Stuff

The price of foam pads is just plain stupid! $150+. Si I found these unused 3" camper mattresses.

They (the upholstry shops) were just as stupid! $180-$250 to shorten and sew. So...

After all, I was a Boatswain's Mate............

Stuff it all in cut down, Zippered Futon cover

Viola

A spare piece makes a great backrest

Kitty like it

Sunday, November 20, 2016

ONE LAST ADDITION

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

My build journal. Going for super-lite weight and minimum expense. Sharing my ideas. Got any input? Let me know. Also on Facebook as Liteweight Teardrop Trailer. REMEMBER....To follow in order sequence.... scroll to last post and read backwards!

FINAL TALLY

LAST THING TO DO.........A GOOD 4" FOAM

MATTRESS...PROBABLY $50.00

450#'S EMPTY

550#'S WITH ALL GALLEY STUFF ,MATTRESS,12 VOLT DEEP CYCLE BATTERY, JACK , TOOLS AND SPARE TIRE.

ADD GROCERIES, ICE AND CLOTHES= 600#'S ??

LAST MINUTE IDEA

HARBOR FREIGHT FREEBIE AGAIN. HAD A FREE SMALL TARP. GOT OUT THE SNAPS AND RIVETS

A GALLEY COVER

MAYBE A BIGGER TARP AND MORE SNAPS LATER

SAFETY FIRST

A VISIT TO THE SIGN MAINTENANCE SHOP OF THE COUNTY ROAD DEPARTMENT GOT A BUNCH OF REFLECTIVE TAPE SCRAPS.

LIGHTS UP LIKE THE READ END LIKE A SCHOOL BUS AT NIGHT.

BRITE YELLOW SIDE DOTS

SUN/RAIN SHADE

ADDED A DIAGONAL "L" PIECE. USED THE DOUBLE SIDED TAPE.

FIRST TRY.................ALL MY LEFT OVER ALUMINUM SHEET. COVERED IT WITH A GOOD MESS OF ROOFING PASTE. MESSY, UGLY, WRINKLED, DARK.

STRIPPED IT OFF. STARTED OVER. USED THE REMAINDER OF THE 1/16" WHITE SHEET USED ON DOORS. TIGHT, LIGHT AND TRANSLUCENT.

HAD A STRING OF FREE SOLAR LED (HARBOR FREIGHT) ROPE LIGHTS. SEALED THE FACEPLATE AND SWITCH TO WATERPROOF AND TIE WRAPPED SO THEY RIDE SOLAR UP DRIVING, LIGHT GALLEY DEPLOYED.

GRAPHIX

A STOP BY A VINYL SIGN SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN CAR/TRUCK WRAPS

GOT ME SOME SCRAPS. WERE BADLY WRINKLED BUT AN HOUR UNDER A HEAT LAMP SMOOTHED PIECES RIGHT OUT.

MASKING TAPE FOR GUIDES

EL SNAZZOLA!

FLUFF AND BUFF

WHEN POLISHING, USE POLISH SPARINGLY. MOTHERS ALUMINUM IS GOOD BUT I USED MEQUIARS LIGHTEST. 9 INCH LOW PRESSURE ORBITAL WAXER. DIDN'T WANT SUPER HIGH GLOSS: TOO MUCH UPKEEP AND BAD HEADLIGHT REFLECTION GLARE FOR OTHER MOTORISTS.

A GREAT PRODUCT FOR CLEANING AND APPLYING A NICE MATTE-TYPE FINISH IS NEVER DULL. IT'S TREATED COTTON POLISHING WADS IN A CAN. USED BY LOTS OF AIRSTREAMERS AND ALUMINUM POLISH PLANE BUFFS. JUST ABOUT RIGHT SHINE. EASY TO STORE. WALMART

ELECTRICAL

LAID IN ALL WIRING DURING THE FRAME STAGE

SO IT WAS EASY TO HOOK UP EVERYTHING LATER

USED THAT SNAP CHANNEL TO COVER WIRES (HOME DEPOT)...EASIER THAN RIGGING WIRES THRU WALLS AND CAN CHANGE LATER IF NEEDED

DISTRIBUTION BOX. HINGED...CAN OPEN FOR SERVICE. 2 SWITCHES FOR OUTSIDE LIGHTS. 2 EXTRA SWITCHES. 1 12VOLT CIGARETTE SOCKET AND DOUBLE USB ADAPTER. ALL FUSED ON INSIDE BOX