Posted 2007-09-14 10:59 AM (#67860) Subject: Walk Thur door DIY?
Veteran
Posts: 150 Location: Farmville, VA
Has anyone installed a walk thru door on their trailer? I just called the Sundowner dealer and got a quote of $1200~! What happens to wrecked trailers/parts? I have a Sundowner Sunlite. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks!
Posted 2007-09-24 6:08 PM (#68341 - in reply to #67860) Subject: RE: Walk Thur door DIY?
New User
Posts: 1
Location: lawrenceburg,ky. 40342
have a 3 h kiefer, wanted a walk thru, same story about 900.00 husband is real handy cut out the piece of aluminum between the 22" supports, cut it down just a bit more , framed around , braced it, used some heavy duty hinges and put in back up. looks custom and when we finished the inside lq just continued on with the new "door" works great still has the rubber, just opens now. good luck, it is not that hard to do.
Posted 2007-09-25 8:18 AM (#68357 - in reply to #67860) Subject: RE: Walk Thur door DIY?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 795 Location: Tenn/Ala.
The Kiefer Built's slant wall framing is built to accomodate a door without moving vertical cross-members. Their pre-hung & pre-fabricated door slides right in as HW says. And so does an Exiss. On the Sundowner, you have to reframe that section of the wall, and Sundowner's door is custom built & costs more also. So frankly- not an apples to apples comparison.
Posted 2007-09-26 9:14 AM (#68398 - in reply to #67860) Subject: RE: Walk Thur door DIY?
Veteran
Posts: 150 Location: Farmville, VA
Thanks for all the comments! Sounds like it will be more trouble than it's worth. Not to mention, a friend told me she doesn't even use hers because she tracks shavings from the horse area. Not so good for us allergy horse lovers!
Posted 2007-09-28 2:23 PM (#68537 - in reply to #67860) Subject: RE: Walk Thur door DIY?
Member
Posts: 46 Location: Edmond, OK
I installed a walk-thru door on my '90 trailer several years ago, and because they were something of a "new" idea, I had a guy cut the "hole" and make a door. It turned out great, and unlike one comment, I use my all the time, because we'll go camping for a week, and I store feed, lawn chairs, dirty clothes bag, hay, all kinds of stuff in the back that I don't want to leave out each night or that takes up room in my LQ area. But I don't put shavings down either; I usually hose or sweep mine out after we get set up. But tracking is a problem, so that's another reason why I sweep it out, if I'm going to use it alot.
Posted 2007-09-30 7:02 PM (#68632 - in reply to #67860) Subject: RE: Walk Thur door DIY?
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
I went to an RV repair and purchased a used door for $50.00. We measured, cut and installed the door ourselves 8 years ago. It took us 1 hour to do it after we convinced ourselves we could do it (should take professional less time). I would figure up $100-$150 for a used door and 1 hr time (if unlined dressing room) totaling $250 at most.
We do not use shavings and clean out the back every time we use it. Luckily our geldings rarely do #1 in the trailer. I just rinse out the back after I clean up the #2 and let it dry. We use the back for storage, porta potti, cowboy shower and have set up a table and fed 6 people during a rain storm.
Posted 2007-10-02 11:27 AM (#68735 - in reply to #67860) Subject: RE: Walk Thur door DIY?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Newton, NJ
I use my door all the time when I camp. I also do not use shavings in the horse area. I do have an escape door in my first stall. If the weather is bad and there is mud, I enter through the escape door and remove my muddy shoes before going into the LQ area. I also use the horse area for my porta potti and portable shower.
Posted 2007-10-02 5:02 PM (#68744 - in reply to #67860) Subject: RE: Walk Thur door DIY?
Member
Posts: 46 Location: Edmond, OK
I know I answered before, but me too on the extra storage space. I have a cowboy shower back there as well, put the porta poddy back there, set up a portable table and played cards, my son and his friend have slept on cots, etc. I will NEVER buy a trailer without one.
p.s. Good idea about using the escape door to enter the back to keep from using the "front door". I'll have to remember that!
p.s.s If I'm staying for several days, I will also throw indoor/outdoor carpet down - precut to fit the slant, and dirt cheap. After I've cleaned it out, simply lay it down. Sure makes it feel cozy.
Walk Thur door DIY?
