Emergency Exit Door Mod

[SteveSueMac]

I'm starting a thread on a mod I'm having done at the mothership to replace the emergency exit window in our 2012 27FB Flying Cloud to an emergency exit door.

Signal isn't great here so hopefully from time to time I'll have enough to post pics - certainly by end of week. But for now, I'm just launching the thread as I'm at the terraport ready for tomorrow's appointment! (For what it's worth - the terraport is practically full - lots of activity here!)

The purpose behind this is a more effective exit strategy. Highly doubtful the window exit is viable if needed (which of course you hope it never is). I'd have to throw my 70# bloodhound out the window since she wouldn't be able to get out herself- gotta imagine if she survives that she's going to have broken bones) and I just can't imagine how, in an emergency, my wife and I could make it out this window without injuring ourselves in the process.

The plan is to cut out the space for the door (same exact door as on the other side), move any wires to the top of the trailer and pressure test for leaks when done. Wish us luck! 😀

[SteveSueMac]

Nothing overly exciting today. They told me to plan on 3 days. Could definitely take all of that...

Window out - view from inside. And yes, I'm taking the window back with me if anyone is interested.



Belt liners and banana wrap come down - there will be some aluminum to install...



Exterior panel cut out. You can see the interior hasn't been addressed yet.



Not a ton of wires to relocate - I was nervous about that but the tech (Garrett) doesn't seem to think it's a big deal.



Hopefully more tomorrow. I'm in Sidney tonight with much better signal (it was nonexistent today at the factory - ATT or Verizon - somebody put up a damn tower there will ya?!?! 😳&#128512. Have to stay at a hotel since the door won't be installed until tomorrow at the earliest and we're going to continue to have rain all night here.

Met FireDog and his wife today! Fun to catch up with Forum Folk! 😀

[moosetags]

Wow Steve! You're really doing it! Can't wait to see the results. I'll be following this thread closely. Great shots so far.

Brian

[Firedog1]

can't wait to tomorrow, I want to see it before I leave the Mothership enrollee to Connecticut

[AWCHIEF]

Cost$$$????

[OTRA15]

Also wondering . . . thanks. Do you know what the labor rate is at JC, or did you get a fixed price? thanks

[SteveSueMac]

Estimate for parts and labor is an arm, a leg, and a firstborn child. 😀

Seriously, the estimate is about $7K which admittedly is expensive, but it's 3 days of labor and ultimately some peace of mind with a trailer I hope to travel the country with in retirement and then pass on to a godson so it's worth it to me. Amortized over how long I expect to use it - it's peanuts. I realize everyone's mileage will vary.

I'm hoping to talk with some folks about considering this as an option for any trailer and standard equipment in a 25 or longer. If it were a standard part of the build, it wouldn't add $7K to the sales price (although they probably could of they wanted to &#128512.

[PKI]

The hourly rate when we were at JC was $125. When we got back to CA our local rate had gone from $125 to $135. But the Jag dealer is up the $165, so AS service is a bargain.

The $7K for that work does not seem unreasonable. Hope it all goes well for you.

How far did you have to go for a hotel/motel? Too bad there are not a couple of the museum trailers renovated and available for folks when their trailers are pulled apart for service.

Travel safe. Pat

[OTRA15]

Thanks SSM for relaying the estimate. Ditto to Pat that $7k seems reasonable for this add-on work. Hope the actual total matches or beats the estimate, and that you will report back on the quality and final cost of the work.

Thanks again,

Peter

[SteveSueMac]

Pat - Sidney is about 20 minutes south with plenty of options. Not that big a deal though I really missed staying in my own rolling home 😀

Peter - will definitely continue to post photos of progress as we go along. They're hoping to at least have the door in today (not all the finish work) so I can stay in it tonight.

DW - would thought I was crazy for wanting to do this - said, hey, it's going to be easier to get the bikes in and on the bed now! I'll take it! 😀

[AWCHIEF]

Agree, with all hours involved that sounds like a fare price. Biggest thing is that you know it will be done safely and right.

[LiLNomad]

I love having 2 doors as it allows me to roll up the rugs and other dirty items and just slide them under the bed. I see some of the dealers now have trailers with 2 doors in their inventory.
LilNomad

[moxie t. moto]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

I'm starting a thread on a mod I'm having done at the mothership to replace the emergency exit window in our 2012 27FB Flying Cloud to an emergency exit door.

Signal isn't great here so hopefully from time to time I'll have enough to post pics - certainly by end of week. But for now, I'm just launching the thread as I'm at the terraport ready for tomorrow's appointment! (For what it's worth - the terraport is practically full - lots of activity here!)

The purpose behind this is a more effective exit strategy. Highly doubtful the window exit is viable if needed (which of course you hope it never is). I'd have to throw my 70# bloodhound out the window since she wouldn't be able to get out herself- gotta imagine if she survives that she's going to have broken bones) and I just can't imagine how, in an emergency, my wife and I could make it out this window without injuring ourselves in the process.

The plan is to cut out the space for the door (same exact door as on the other side), move any wires to the top of the trailer and pressure test for leaks when done. Wish us luck! 😀

Great idea. Thought about doing the same thing. Wondered what it would entail.
Where are you going in ct.? Will be in Middletown and shore are after alumapaloosa. Would love to come by and see how it turned out.

[GMFL]

Following

[trekerboy]

Very cool Mod, can't wait to see it complete!

[amaier7771]

Following

[Caroyl]

Looking forward to seeing the finished project 😃

[SteveSueMac]

Hate to leave a cliffhanger but signal here is really bad. Short story - the door is fitted in enough for me to stay in the terraport tonight. It is AMAZING! I will do pics when I have better signal. Tomorrow they will Olympic rivet it to the frame including the new rib they installed since the door was slightly thinner than the window. Then they'll do all the external and internal panels.

Also good news, when he pulled the panels away, the insulation was dry and no signs of leaks. When complete with the job they'll do a pressure test to test for leaks anywhere in the trailer.

Folks here seem to be very interested in the idea. The techs are having fun with it too and bend really great allowing me to take so many pictures.

[Air83]

following

[SteveSueMac]

Here are a few more pics:

This shows the new rib they installed to accommodate the width of the door. The outer skin had to come off and since the door is thinner than the window, a new piece of skin. Had to be cut to size.



Here's the new piece of skin. To avoid having to replace the entire side of the trailer, he tucked this patch up underneath the back of the end cap. The only noticeable difference will be some rivets continuing along the line where the end cap stops over to the door.



And here it is from the inside. You can see the patchwork he has to do here too. Very fun!!