RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

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RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby SwiftRiver » Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:24 pm

So as you all know, premade doors for teardrops are ungodly expensive. I was looking on ebay for them and this came across my radar.

Image

It is a cargo door for a larger RV. Its dimensions are 28x40 and it is 2 inches thick. I was thinking that I could replace the handle with an RV latch and install it as my main door. Over all it would save more than $150. I know it doesn't have a window, but maybe we can put a peep hole in.

Do you guys think that this would work? It seems like the a good idea to me, but I have not seen anyone else do it, and that might be for good reason.
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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby pchast » Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:46 pm

Depends on the type of hinges. If they allow mounting in the vertical position.
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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby SwiftRiver » Tue Feb 14, 2017 9:53 pm

Should the hinges lock up or something? What would stop it from being mounted vertically?
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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby edgeau » Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:02 am

It should work. Just put a window in the wall instead

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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby pchast » Wed Feb 15, 2017 10:13 pm

Hinges need to support the door weight in the vertical position.
That's different than weight hanging from the hinge above.
In most cases there will be no problem. :thumbsup:

I looked at a 'feed door' in a horse trailer being scrapped.
Those hinges had very little wear But...
:thumbdown:
They had a lot of side to side slop that would allow the door
to rub on the opening frame when turned sideways.
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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby SwiftRiver » Wed Feb 15, 2017 10:39 pm

Is there a way to tell if it will work when I get the door (I have already ordered it)? Also, I could just install it horizontally; I am not necessarily opposed to having an door that opens up.
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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby GuitarPhotog » Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:20 pm

You'll have a problem opening a door from inside if it opens up instead of out. You'll have to provide a prop to hold it open while you're getting in or out, and you'll have to lift the weight of it from inside the trailer.

:beer:
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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby edgeau » Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:07 am

You could use gas struts to make it easier to open the "gull wing" style. I have seen photos of others doing that

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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby KCStudly » Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:34 am

Some people who have done gull wing style doors complain that they are hard to reach and close from inside.

Also, it is always wise to go with two doors (one on either side) right from the beginning. That is one of the biggest regrets people report after building a TD style camper w/ just one side door; even for singles who camp alone. Depending on site arrangement you may want to exit from the other side, and it provides easier access for making the bed.

IMO, the extra hassle of modification isn't worth the effort. Add the cost of windows and latches and you are right back even, or behind where you started.
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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby cshane » Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:21 am

20160306_163546.jpg
20160306_163546.jpg (51.64 KiB) Viewed 1396 times


It works.

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Re: RV Cargo Door, Alternative Teardrop Door?

Postby cshane » Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:22 am

20160306_163603.jpg
20160306_163603.jpg (47.29 KiB) Viewed 1378 times


Cheap rv window does too.

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