Door

[TinCanW/6]

So many great design features....how did AS FAIL at this? Who designs something that will eventually need to be tightened and not provide access? Then to boot cream the backside nuts with silicone. Come on man!



A blood mess!

[Wingeezer]

I agree - I haven't yet had need to access the hinge bolts of our door. but I think if/when i do, I will try cutting the fabric wall covering and inner skin with a hole saw to get a socket wrench in, then making up some sort of (hopefully attractive) access plate to cover things up afterwards yet make future access easy.

Not sure what other folk have done.

I feel a bit the same about the way in which they have hidden the black/grey water outlet slide valves - seems it would have made more sense to make them easily accessible.

Truth to tell, I sometimes wonder if the negative aspects don't outweigh the positive aspects of totally enclosing the underside of the trailer.

Sorry to wander away from door hinges!

Brian.

[TG Twinkie]

If I were ever to do a shell off restoration. I would put aluminum sheeting on top of the frame before installing the plywood. Install the aluminum over and around the outriggers and leave the belly pan off In all areas except around the holding tanks. The insulation below the floor is virtually useless once it gets wet. By exposing the frame, it would not rust like it does with the belly pan installed.

[TinCanW/6]

I guess I'm lucky in that there's a trim piece that goes around my door.



The caulk used is a pain in the a$$ to dig out!

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by TinCanW/6

So many great design features....how did AS FAIL at this? Who designs something that will eventually need to be tightened and not provide access? Then to boot cream the backside nuts with silicone. Come on man!

Attachment 176145

A blood mess!

We have had to do many hinges with this "issue". The easiest way is to use a hole saw & line it up with where the fasteners are likely located & drill though the interior skin. Make sure the hole is slightly larger than the diameter of a 7/16" socket. After drilling the holes, dig out the caulk that is around the nuts holding the hinge in place. Insert the socket on a 3/8" drive extension & exert a bit of pressure so the socket catches the nut, then tighten. Then fill the hole on the skin with round metal plugs available at big box stores.
Good luck with it.
Colin

[HiHoAgRV]

Yeah, what Colin said...
On one of my previous trailers, the PO locked in the keys and decided that they could just un screw the hinges...

A 3/4 hole saw gains access to the nuts. If the nut is missing...you can super glue a nut to your finger to get it started on the screw...