door trim and fitting

[Roddy Riggs]

OK guys, I'll try to make myself more clear on my problem. I trimmed the door opening with aluminum counter top trim, which is about 3/4" wide X 1/16" thick, with about a 1/4" outside lip on it. I then put the T molding on the door itself. Problem: it seems the O/S lip on the counter top trim is holding the door away from the sides, in other words the door will not flush up with the sides of the tear. This keeps the hinge(s) from laying flat agains the side of the trailer. Should I use a different type of door opening trim? What is the norm? I was told by several builders that they use counter top trim. Comments or suggestions appreciated. Thanks, Rod

[martha24]

Roddy,
I think I understand to some degree what you are talking about.
1. It depends on how you are doing you door seal etc. If you are using a seal with the T-molding, then the door won't be flush with the trailer anyway.
2. It also depends on what hinge you are using, which you didn't say.

I'm no expert by any means, but we did use the counter top trim for the door edging & the T-molding along the door. The door hinges we used were Grant -Lil Bears off set hinges. They are "off set" for that very reason, the door sticks out a little from the trailer body.

To some degree where two pieces of aluminum come together, something may need to be trimmed. With ours since the hinge is inside the trailer, the hinge comes up to the counter top trim. If you are using a piano hinge on the outside, you will have to do a search for it or pictures or say exactly what you are using to find someone who did it that way. There are people who have a lip on the door opening & that is where they put there door seal, then the door can be flush.
Here are a couple of pictures of mine I just took.


The first one is the best, but with the second you can a slight line where the counter top trim comes.
I hope this helps some.
Martha

[asianflava]

Martha, did you seal the hinge right at the hinge line?

I learned from experience that water WILL come in from there. Especially when driving in rain. I have 2 strips of weatherstripping on mine, one right next to the hinge knuckle and another one closer to the edge of the bend.

[martha24]

Martha, did you seal the hinge right at the hinge line?

I learned from experience that water WILL come in from there. Especially when driving in rain. I have 2 strips of weatherstripping on mine, one right next to the hinge knuckle and another one closer to the edge of the bend.

It will be sealed, but it isn't yet. The other thing we are going to do, by Grant's (Lil Bear) suggestion, is put drip molding right along the edge of the hinge on the outside. That should help keep out the driving rain.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Martha

[bledsoe3]

What type of hinge are you using?
I had to space the hinge out. I used a piece 1/4" ply on the body side.


This lets the hinge sit flat to the side of the tear when the door is closed. You have to allow for the moulding and seal.