My Offroad Tear Drop Plan/Build.

[Wavebreaker]

first off - your workmanship and quality and attention is absolutely amazing - I sincerely applaud you skill and craftsmanship. Very well done. I have a couple of questions on the finishing technique you are using, if you don't mind? How are you / what are you doing specifically to "finish" the wood parts / panels? I believe it some sort of sealer then fiberglassing the seams / edges and then gel coating? Or is there a layer of 'glass over the entire wood piece (sealed with the resin) and then gel coated? Does the gel coat get applied while the resin is still wet?

Thank you and keep up the amazing work - I would love to see what you do on boats if this is only your hobby (or part of it anyway). I grew up with an old Chris Craft in the family and have always loved wooden boats - you can't replicate the way one rides with a modern vessel.
Ryan

Thanks..
As for the coating of wood exterior. I use Vinyl ester resin Unwaxed, most resins whether you by vinyl ester or polyester come waxed so when it applys the surface drys. In commercial applications it comes unwaxed.

To do a wood surface properly you first apply a seal coat of unwaxed resin when it drys it is still tacky so no sanding to apply again. When first coat drys you apply your cloth and resin again unwaxed. once it drys you apply a coat of gelcoat now this coat is either waxed or unwaxed if you want to add more gel again. Thing to remember about fiberglass is without gelcoat it is porous needs gel to seal it. The whole trailer is coated with a 1.5 oz woven roving like a water tight box. The reason i use vinyl ester resin is it has a far superior adhesion to wood than polyester does. polyester is about 45-55 % adhesion where vinyl is 85-95 %. On a side note if you want to wax your resin or gelcoat it is a mixture of styrene and paraffin wax added to the resin/gelcoat.

I agree with you on wood boats being better than production glass for quietness and ride. just alot of maintenance.

 

[Ryan Matthes]

Thank you very much - certainly kills multiple birds with one shot. Looks great, seals, and completely water proofs the envelope. Brilliant.


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[Wavebreaker]

From where i left off..

Rear hatches sanded and ready for final finish remounted.
Galley is all assembled.






Electrical distribution panel installed. A/C , D/C , solar controller and battery monitor.




Solar Panels mounted to forward section of roof 2 x 40 watt.



Interior wood work basically finished.



Stove install in rear right lower door.

Down ..


up



Start of my aluminum roof rack system.




sprayed Black



Installed just needs the basket either side of roof vent.


Installed my fenders.



Fabricating my awning system for the rear . it will extend out from rear 7 feet and out to either side 4 feet. Self supporting.





Here is a basic side shot of the trailer still in tent on 29 inch wheels.


More to follow

Cheers.

 

[stomperxj]

I can't believe I missed this thread.... My god Wavebreaker.... What a spectacular build! Absolutely beautiful work... You are doing a lot of things I should have done to the Sawtooth XL. Glad I could inspire your work a little.

Which model of Timbren suspension did you use and what did they cost if that's ok to ask...

Great work!

 

[Wavebreaker]

Thanks Stomper
I used the first of the 2000/3500 lb version of the timbren. they were around 400 for the set if i remember right.

 

[Heifer Boy]

sprayed Black

Looking great Wavebreaker. Fantastic work as always and the benchmark for those who build in wood. I'm loving the rack and awning design too though.

When you paint an item like the rack above, how/where do you do it? Whenever I've tried spraying anything inside my garage I have to make up a temporary booth else everything gets coated but you (and others) seem to just put down a drop sheet and spray away. Is it the sprayer you use or does it just not matter in your workshop?

HB

 

[Titanpat57]

Awesome build, exceptional workmanship.

 

[Wavebreaker]

Looking great Wavebreaker. Fantastic work as always and the benchmark for those who build in wood. I'm loving the rack and awning design too though.

When you paint an item like the rack above, how/where do you do it? Whenever I've tried spraying anything inside my garage I have to make up a temporary booth else everything gets coated but you (and others) seem to just put down a drop sheet and spray away. Is it the sprayer you use or does it just not matter in your workshop?

HB

I have a large side window in my shop i usually put in a extraction fan into it when spraying. in this case i just used a spray can and let fly. The only residue i had from this was on the floor.

 

[Wavebreaker]

Awesome build, exceptional workmanship.

Thanks Pat

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

I have never seen your shop so clean as it was my last visit. That extraction fan is amazing!! lol

That or you also cleaned up first?

This thing is looking stellar and should be ready to roll soon!! Camping soon Mike?? Test run??

 

[jeeper92]

Wow

wow.......just wow

 

[CoOverwatch]

I agree, job well done.
I do have a question as I am about to venture into building my own trailer.
Is there much concern with taking the trailer off road being the body of the trailer is wood with fiberglass coating?
I am talking about some moderate trails. Rocky, wash boards, something other than a Forest trail

 

[Wavebreaker]

I agree, job well done.
I do have a question as I am about to venture into building my own trailer.
Is there much concern with taking the trailer off road being the body of the trailer is wood with fiberglass coating?
I am talking about some moderate trails. Rocky, wash boards, something other than a Forest trail

If it is constructed well Good joints and good glues it should be no issue at all. I have built boats that in a different environment takes alot of punishment. And never had issues. My last trailer the Pod never had issues and was pulled off-road thru heavy wash board and mild to medium trails with no issues. built in the same manner.

 

[Wavebreaker]

I have never seen your shop so clean as it was my last visit. That extraction fan is amazing!! lol

That or you also cleaned up first?

This thing is looking stellar and should be ready to roll soon!! Camping soon Mike?? Test run??

Ya all the shop debris ended up in my back yard wife was choked

As soon as i get a bit ahead on projects camping would be great.

 

[Phoenix]

The more I read and see, the more I feel that I don't like you at all. Now before anyone gets upset, it comes from jealousy and I'm just big enough a man to admit it.

This thing is awesome. Looking forward to seeing pics from the trail.