Top hatch door?

[Malamute]

Has anyone done a top hatch that's large enough to stand up in and look around? A search didn't seem to work, it said the words I tried were too common.

I thought maybe double doors, but a single may work. I was thinking a raised lip of an inch and a half or more to help keep it from leaking.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I have plenty of standing room



When the roof hatch closes it seals down against a weatherstrip to keep the water out. I thought I had some close-up pictures, but this was the best I can find right now... showing where the roof hatch nests between the exterior skins of the trolley top sides.

[Malamute]

Thanks for the reply!

I'm thinking more along the lines of a smaller hatch, maybe 3' sq, and that would allow an unobstructed 360 deg view. The hatch door(s) folding down flat when open.

[KCStudly]

Flat is a lot harder to seal against standing or streaming water. The rim wall method, like Zach's latest, Sharon's MyAway, and others would be better. You could scale it down easily enough, and if you're afraid the bump up will be an eyesore to the profile, you could even mount your roof vent fan in the hatch so that it camouflages it somewhat (provided you can allow for this extra height if garage kept). Hinge the whole thing at the front with a piece of hurricane hinge, just be careful not to crack the vent cover when opening (maybe a lanyard to keep it from flopping open).

Where's Wolffarmer? He did a floor hatch so he can stand on the ground and get dressed inside. I think Oakinteriors did a soft sided drop floor, too. Maybe you can get something from looking at those builds.

[Malamute]

I'm not as concerned about the profile. A raised rim sounded like a good way to preclude most of the water, with the seal on the lid then being less of an issue I'd think. I would likely have a roof rack in any event, so the profile wouldn't be affected much.

I've heard a number of comments about moon or sun roofs in cars leaking badly. I thought the raised rim for the hatch hole may help avoid that.

Besides just being able to enjoy the view, I live in bear country, and would like to be able to have a look around before emerging from a teardrop or letting the dog out.