Posted 2013-06-09 1:30 PM (#152566) Subject: Changing Swing feed door to drop down?
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Norco, CA
Hello Everyone!
I am new here, My name is Robert. I am picking up a horse trailer this week, it is used, and in pretty good condition. It is a 1988 Circle J 4 horse. It need some work, but it in running/useable condition. One thing that I would like to change, is that it has Swing windows for the horses head. I want drop down. Is it possible to change these to drop downs? My other thought is to take out the windows in the swing door, cut out some metal, and fit these in http://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/windows_feed_doors.htm (Drop-Down Feed Doors / Windows At bottom of page)
Would any of this be possible? or worth it? Thank you in advance for any information an help y'all can share.
Posted 2013-06-09 1:44 PM (#152567 - in reply to #152566) Subject: RE: Changing Swing feed door to drop down?
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: AZ
I would think if your current openings are the same or bigger than any of the windows they would work. If bigger, you can just fill in the gaps with metal to fit the new windows.
Posted 2013-06-10 3:29 AM (#152580 - in reply to #152567) Subject: RE: Changing Swing feed door to drop down?
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Norco, CA
Thanks. I think they the ones on the trailer currently are smaller. I was looking at a friends trailer today, same make, different model, Her's are smaller. Would cutting the opening larger to fit the drop downs in the link I posted, weaken the trailer at all? Being they will just be installed in the swing window? I have a feeling that's what I would need to do. If I can not just change the swing to drop.
Posted 2013-06-11 10:17 AM (#152621 - in reply to #152580) Subject: RE: Changing Swing feed door to drop down?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If the windows are the same size width wise as the wall structure of your trailer, cutting and enlarging the holes would weaken the vertical wall studding. If the windows are fastened to stringers that are wider betweed the studs than the proposed holes, and have the trailer's skin filling in around them, you may be able to cut the enlarged spaces.
Basically you don't want to cut into the walls' framing structure, unless you're prepared to weld in additional supporting members to compensate for the new weakness. This is especially true where the windows' hinges and latch assemblies mount to the body. The trailer's skin is not strong enough alone to support the mounting hardware and the window's weight.
Changing Swing feed door to drop down?
