We have a a 2001 Kiefer Built that needs new rear doors. I am aware of the Todco door issues and that Kiefer is no longer in business. Does anyone have suggestions on where to start as far as getting new doors or having them repaired??? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Posted 2011-05-21 12:58 PM (#134267 - in reply to #134231) Subject: RE: 2001 Kiefer Built Needs Rear Doors
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Colorado
Hi, I completely rebuilt the back end of a Kiefer that had the same issue. I hired a fabricator, and used 4" Angle stock to build what essentially is a picture frame to slide into the existing frame of the trailer. This solved the problem of the cracked out frame on the corner and made the trailer stable again. From there we built steel framed doors, that were primed and painted to match the aluminum. They were mounted on semi trailer weld on hinges with grease fittings. These doors were sealed and then skinned in white aluminum, with high density foam in between, and on the inside of the doors I put mat up the walls. They came out very professional looking and it solves the issue of the long trailer (6 horse + DR) causing too much body twist for the back end of the frame. I pretty much had to rebuild most of the rest of the trailer as well, but this is how I handled the door. It does require a professional fabricator to make it look right, as you have to re-cut the holes for all the lights and switches with a plasma cutter, which is not your average backyard piece of equipment. I also put the right kind of latches on the trailer doors, the kind that lock into the frame with the cams top and bottom. I am sure you can order new doors, but you have to look at the frame under all that. Some of the longer trailers take a lot of twisting stress and this can cause weld failures at the corners of the back. If you don't address this your doors will not last long.I hope this helps.
2001 Kiefer Built Needs Rear Doors
