Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:24 pmO.K., Gang ...
... time for me to chime in here! First, let's talk about DURABILITY of the "hurricane"-type extruded aluminum hinge: it's been a PROVEN durable leakproof hinge for over 45 years! I've worked on 1960 Scad-a-bouts with the original factory-installed "hurricane" hinge that still work perfectly (although just a little worn) and remain leakproof. What more could you ask for? Whether you get the type from R.W. Johnson (some people call it the original Hurricane Hinge, and I sold it in the beginning, which has a 1/4" offset that puts the hatch plane 1/4" above the roof plane) or you get my "better-than-hurricane" hinge (which has NO offset, a lower profile "crown", and actually is one of the first versions of the extruded aluminum hinge, going all the way back to pre-1960) doesn't really matter, except in overall asthetics. The end result is the same - if properly installed, you get a virtually leafproof galley lid hinge arrangement that you never have to worry about (at least, not for the next 45 years or so!).
Next, let's talk about bang-for-your-buck (US, Canadian, Euro, or otherwise): how much is your TIME worth? If you want to fuss around and replace the rubber/vinyl/or-other type membrane covering over/under a standard piano-type hinge every 2-5 years, by all means that's your call. If you want to experiment with un-proven plastic technology (and I'll be the first to admit that plastics have come a long way in the last 50 years, and the products continue to improve), then that too is your call (and you just might be able to count yourself as a pioneer in plastics-tech applications ... ;-} ;-} ...!). But, if you want to DO-IT-ONCE-AND-FORGET-IT, I can't for the life of me understand why anyone WOULDN'T want to install a "hurricane"-type extruded aluminum hinge. And yes, I do understand that there are some folks who just have to have something to "tinker" with ... ;-} ;-} ...!
Hurricane-type hinges have been the standard in the camper-shell/truck-top industry (for over 30 years that I know of) in rear-lift, side-lift, and cargo-door applications. It wasn't until recently, with growing popularity of the totally-smooth slick-n-seamless fiberglass models, that other hinge technology has been applied there - but most of us ARE NOT building totally-smooth slick-n-seamless fiberglass teardrops or TTTs. Matter of fact, if there is a camper-shell/truck-top builder anywhere close to you, chances are pretty good that you'll be able to walk in and buy a hurricane-type hinge for a reasonable price. Or if you're resonably clever, you can figure out a way to salvage the hinge from a damaged lift-door and adapt it to your application.
Let's be clear, though - I'm NOT saying that hurricane-type hinges are the ONLY (or even the BEST) way to go! What I AM saying is that they are the most PROVEN & RELIABLE way to go, especially if that is a paticular prioroty in the overall scheme of your trailer and camping plans. The initial cost MIGHT seem a little steep, but you'll be thankful for your INVESTMENT in the l-o-n-g run.
One final note about "hurricane"type hinges:
• Teardrop Fix-It Shop's hinge is NOT a "hurricane"-type - it is an extruded aluminum version of the original FORMED stainless steel hinges originally found on KIT Kamper teardrops. It is a good product, and may fit your needs perfectly.
• R.W. Johnson's hinge is, as I said above, sometimes called the original Hurricane Hinge, has the 1/4" offset, and is an excellent product that may fit your needs perfectly. It is also available from other sources, both on the 'net and otherwise.
• Li'l Bear's "better-than-hurricane" hinge has NO OFFSET, a lower "crown", and the design actually pre-dates the Hurricane Hinge by at least 10 years. It too is an excellent product that may fit your needs perfectly. It MAY be available from one or two sources who stock it for their own production use, but Li'l Bear (yeah, that's me) has the exclusive retail marketing rights from the mill (so sue me if I made a smart business move), must buy in quantity, and can cut the hinge to your specific needs (so much for my blatant self promotion ... ;-} ;-} ...!).
Bottom line, here, is that you should consider carefully what and why you choose for your galley lid hinge. "Hurricane"-types might NOT be what you ultimately end up with, and that's O.K.! Just please don't slam it or disregard it because you think it "costs too much", or you think it is un-proven or un-reliable. And as far as the "freezing up" goes, a little shot of silicon spray or WD-40 BEFORE it gets cold will solve that problem.
Good Luck, Everyone, with your projects! And, my apologies if I got a little long-winded! In the meantime ...
CHEERS!
Grant
... time for me to chime in here! First, let's talk about DURABILITY of the "hurricane"-type extruded aluminum hinge: it's been a PROVEN durable leakproof hinge for over 45 years! I've worked on 1960 Scad-a-bouts with the original factory-installed "hurricane" hinge that still work perfectly (although just a little worn) and remain leakproof. What more could you ask for? Whether you get the type from R.W. Johnson (some people call it the original Hurricane Hinge, and I sold it in the beginning, which has a 1/4" offset that puts the hatch plane 1/4" above the roof plane) or you get my "better-than-hurricane" hinge (which has NO offset, a lower profile "crown", and actually is one of the first versions of the extruded aluminum hinge, going all the way back to pre-1960) doesn't really matter, except in overall asthetics. The end result is the same - if properly installed, you get a virtually leafproof galley lid hinge arrangement that you never have to worry about (at least, not for the next 45 years or so!).
Next, let's talk about bang-for-your-buck (US, Canadian, Euro, or otherwise): how much is your TIME worth? If you want to fuss around and replace the rubber/vinyl/or-other type membrane covering over/under a standard piano-type hinge every 2-5 years, by all means that's your call. If you want to experiment with un-proven plastic technology (and I'll be the first to admit that plastics have come a long way in the last 50 years, and the products continue to improve), then that too is your call (and you just might be able to count yourself as a pioneer in plastics-tech applications ... ;-} ;-} ...!). But, if you want to DO-IT-ONCE-AND-FORGET-IT, I can't for the life of me understand why anyone WOULDN'T want to install a "hurricane"-type extruded aluminum hinge. And yes, I do understand that there are some folks who just have to have something to "tinker" with ... ;-} ;-} ...!
Hurricane-type hinges have been the standard in the camper-shell/truck-top industry (for over 30 years that I know of) in rear-lift, side-lift, and cargo-door applications. It wasn't until recently, with growing popularity of the totally-smooth slick-n-seamless fiberglass models, that other hinge technology has been applied there - but most of us ARE NOT building totally-smooth slick-n-seamless fiberglass teardrops or TTTs. Matter of fact, if there is a camper-shell/truck-top builder anywhere close to you, chances are pretty good that you'll be able to walk in and buy a hurricane-type hinge for a reasonable price. Or if you're resonably clever, you can figure out a way to salvage the hinge from a damaged lift-door and adapt it to your application.
Let's be clear, though - I'm NOT saying that hurricane-type hinges are the ONLY (or even the BEST) way to go! What I AM saying is that they are the most PROVEN & RELIABLE way to go, especially if that is a paticular prioroty in the overall scheme of your trailer and camping plans. The initial cost MIGHT seem a little steep, but you'll be thankful for your INVESTMENT in the l-o-n-g run.
One final note about "hurricane"type hinges:
• Teardrop Fix-It Shop's hinge is NOT a "hurricane"-type - it is an extruded aluminum version of the original FORMED stainless steel hinges originally found on KIT Kamper teardrops. It is a good product, and may fit your needs perfectly.
• R.W. Johnson's hinge is, as I said above, sometimes called the original Hurricane Hinge, has the 1/4" offset, and is an excellent product that may fit your needs perfectly. It is also available from other sources, both on the 'net and otherwise.
• Li'l Bear's "better-than-hurricane" hinge has NO OFFSET, a lower "crown", and the design actually pre-dates the Hurricane Hinge by at least 10 years. It too is an excellent product that may fit your needs perfectly. It MAY be available from one or two sources who stock it for their own production use, but Li'l Bear (yeah, that's me) has the exclusive retail marketing rights from the mill (so sue me if I made a smart business move), must buy in quantity, and can cut the hinge to your specific needs (so much for my blatant self promotion ... ;-} ;-} ...!).
Bottom line, here, is that you should consider carefully what and why you choose for your galley lid hinge. "Hurricane"-types might NOT be what you ultimately end up with, and that's O.K.! Just please don't slam it or disregard it because you think it "costs too much", or you think it is un-proven or un-reliable. And as far as the "freezing up" goes, a little shot of silicon spray or WD-40 BEFORE it gets cold will solve that problem.
Good Luck, Everyone, with your projects! And, my apologies if I got a little long-winded! In the meantime ...
CHEERS!
Grant
