Rear Hatch idea and question about design and scetch

[RetchedOne]

I'm in the process of planning and scretching out our trailer, and hope to start in a few weeks. I'm aiming for something very similar to Shadow Catcher's "Mega-Mini" viewtopic.php?f=50&t=33634

For the rear hatch, i'd like to keep it simple, and avoid any curve or "V" shape. I saw a picture here somewhere where a trailer was built with a flat rear. The hatch door was recessed in, flat on the back/ The roof had a small overhang of maybe 2 inches. The door was hinged at the top maybe two inches below the overhang.

I sketched up what i thought it would look like in Paint ( be nice, i spent 20 minutes on it). I SHOULD be able to stand under it, I'm 6 foot...
The goal is to keep the hinge under a small roof overhang, and be able to put some "snap's" around the inside to create a weather resistant area.

The door would probably be stick built, 1/4 inch ply External, 1/8th inch internal, and insulated with foam.

I saw someone mentioned a flat door will warp before a curved door?

Sealing the edges?

I plan to Epoxy all the edges and "Monstaliner" in a slate grey color.

Thoughts on the hinge/flat rear?

[Pmullen503]

Plan for some slope in the open position to shed rain. That will reduce the headroom some. Will you still have enough?

[bobhenry]

If you move the hinge point forward it will add the needed height.





I made the brahma hump to allow the water to run from the hinge point.

[KCStudly]

With a built up door like you describe it will be stiffer than just a flat piece of ply, so warping would be less of a concern. Like the others have said, make doubly sure it will go high enough (with the hinge a little lower than the flap it should be okay opening more than 90 deg, but make sure you know the height of your trailer frame while loaded).

One last thing, if you do need to raise the hatch more than 90 deg for head room (seems likely) then any water rolling off the hatch will head for the hinge, just like on all other TD's, and a little 2 inch flap at the top is not going to keep blowing rain out all by itself, so you will still need to think about how you will seal the hinge, IMHO.

[RetchedOne]

Hmmm...

Off to look at more pictures and ideas...

[RetchedOne]

I may just do the exact same thing as the design I'm attempting to follow and angle the back for height
It will end up being slightly thicker, and may have a few braces built into the outer side (inside the trailer)

Keeping the V shaped door solid will be the challenge.