If one of the following search terms brought you here, you will find information on that topic on this website. Sometimes it will be very detailed and sometimes it will be brief. Some of the topics will include pictures. I include commentary on my mistakes, as I become aware of them - and update the site.
•wiring and insulation •12 volt LED fixtures •12 volt light fixtures •aluminum molding •attaching sheet metal to plywood •bending aluminum molding •cabin lights and fixtures •camper sheet metal •combination light fixture and outlet •extrusion bending jig •curve molding roller •camper fenders •cabinets for cabin •floor trap door •hatch molding •sliding cabinet doors •bending aluminum with torch •bending molding •light fixtures and polarity •metal frame for teardrop camper •annealing aluminum with propane torch •sheetmetal stuff •southco draw latch •trailer solar panel •wiring system teardrop trailer
I have been making a Teardrop camping trailer, and wanted to show what I have been doing. I ordered some plans for a 10 foot trailer from Kuffel Creek Press (go here Kuffel Creek Press.) The plans have been very good, and I am very pleased with the basic trailer design. Mr. Hauser, of Kuffel Creek has done the hard part, working out the design details, making up material lists, and even a specification on the axle, so I did not have to re-invent the wheel, so to speak. I am an incurable tinkerer, though, and so I could not help but stray from the plans a bit. When I worked at a local lumberyard, one of the main things I did there was building pickup truck toppers. Our methods of framing the shell and putting on the skin were very different from the methods in the Kuffel Creek plans. I had a strong preference for my methods, and so departed from the construction methods in the plans.
My intention is to show various stages of construction, with some commentary on methods, materials, and mistakes. This site is a work in progress and will proceed on my own timetable. Please feel free to make comments and inquiries as you see fit. I'll respond to you as my time and abilities permit.
Making a web site is another new thing in my life. I'm learning by trial and error, and have made lots of errors already. I have been a stage hand, a projectionist, hand-truck delivery boy, film inspector, Navy submarine reactor operator, lumberyard worker, and railroad track worker. I was a gandydancer (track worker) for 32 years, and during that time I've done just about every task a gandy can do, but mainly I was a track welder for 27 of those 32 years. I retired in October of 2007 and find that I am now more busy than at any time since my Navy days. There is so much I want to do, and only 24 hours in a day... and now I want to do a web site, too.. uffda
tom koehler
first page the frame the floor the sides the roof the flooring the shell wiring and insulation sheet metal molding the hatch lid doors fenders light fixtures cabin cabinets solar panel tanks other stuff