Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Just bought this neat little TT and the hatch has sprung back. I would guess it has released by about 3/8-1/2" at the bottom in increased chord length. The side ribs are exposed when closed and is unfinished plywood. Maybe it got wet sometime or another. Sheathing is laminate both inside and out. I think there are 4 inner cross supports parallel with the hinge. Can this be reformed in place? Perhaps by soaking the outer side ribs and putting a little chord like tension (sideways D) on it? Or is time to resign myself to a bungee cord for hold down? Check Hall of Fame, (Tinas Tiny Trailer) for a profile photo. Thanks for all the expert advice.

Thought... what if you laminated a couple ribs that are slightly under radius that work against your spring back problem and add them to the inside. My hatch is an exact 48" radius and I am about to start ribs on a jig that was pretty easy to make.


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Adjustable draw latches might be able to pull the uncurl out(?). The ones linked have provision for a padlock, others are available w/o. I think Zach (absolutsnwbrdr) has/had a supply of some really nice billet style ones with keyed locks incorporated (though I don't recall if the draw length on those are adjustable).

https://www.mcmaster.com/#1807a62/=1bhyyny

Yep, drawlatches.



Tony

I've bowed panels with a wire rope and turnbuckles. I don't know if you could go from hinge edge to deck edge in a straight line or not, bit some eyes or plates to attach 1/8" wire rope and a pair of turnbuckles. Would allow "tightening" it over time - a little bit every day or every other day.