My trailer has two doors, one on either side of the gooseneck. They are about 2.5 feet square. They are just above the wall - I wish I could post a pic. The purpose is I guess to get stuff out of the gooseneck (it's a four horse head to head). We would like to put stuff up here and maybe a mattress to sleep with - however - they leak. I mean really really leak. I installed weatherstripping around each door, and this helps, but where the hinge is still leaks. It's a "piano" type hinge - even when closed you can see daylight through the hinge. What on earth can I use to waterproof this so that the doors can be opened and closed. We thought about just sealing them up but they do come in handy. Any creative ideas very welcome!
Posted 2006-09-21 7:52 AM (#48875 - in reply to #48855) Subject: RE: Waterproofing doors
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Gaelic on 2006-09-20 7:22 PM
Another question for those who are all knowing!
My trailer has two doors, one on either side of the gooseneck. They are about 2.5 feet square. They are just above the wall - I wish I could post a pic. The purpose is I guess to get stuff out of the gooseneck (it's a four horse head to head). We would like to put stuff up here and maybe a mattress to sleep with - however - they leak. I mean really really leak. I installed weatherstripping around each door, and this helps, but where the hinge is still leaks. It's a "piano" type hinge - even when closed you can see daylight through the hinge. What on earth can I use to waterproof this so that the doors can be opened and closed. We thought about just sealing them up but they do come in handy. Any creative ideas very welcome!
Thanks!
I think they're "required" as emergency exits if you're going to sleep up there.
What brand trailer ?, I'll look around for something similar and perhaps then come up with an idea.
Posted 2006-09-21 11:49 AM (#48887 - in reply to #48855) Subject: RE: Waterproofing doors
Regular
Posts: 63
Location: Canada
I don't know about being "required" as plenty of people here put sleeping space in their goosenecks without these little doors, but all the same, we want to keep them. They're handy and let in light and ventilation. We're going to frame them with wood on the inside to install a screen...hey...maybe I could just seal around the wood really well?
The trailer is a Royle, made by a small manufacturer here in Ontario. We're really happy with it, despite it's needing some work (it's a '93).
Caulking won't work as the hinges move and the caulking will deteriorate and come off as the movement wears on it. I was thinking of attaching a rubber strip, kind of like the seal that goes on the bottom of a garage door, on each side with something...glue...rivets...whatever. But when the door is shut the rubber will be lax and will allow water in at the bottom and the top. Does that make sense? Maybe I should just build the frame and waterproof that on the inside. Thanks!
Posted 2006-09-22 9:13 AM (#48945 - in reply to #48855) Subject: RE: Waterproofing doors
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Posts: 143
Location: southeast U.S.A.
You might try a rv store or online and see about some type of awning to go above the doors.Not nesesarily the big awnings just the small ones that are still put on some campers(I think) above the entrance as well as some horse trailers that iv'e seen. Might not stop all the water but should help alot! The ones that I'm refering to are only 2"-3" deep or so and as wide as the door or window.