Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

After having my tear out in a driving rain, the only leak I had was at the door hinge. I tried to put a 1/4" closed cell foam seal on the inside of the hinge, where the hinge closes in on itself. But even with that little bit of foam on the inside of the hinge, the hinge just springs enough so the door will not latch closed. Is there anything I can use that is thinner or does anyone else have any other ideas? I hope this makes sense.

Not an uncommon problem.

One thing I have seen many builders do is run rain channel down the side in front of the door. Mine runs about half way down, but I also have an inner seal to prevent water from entering that gets past. You would probably have to run a channel that is a little longer than your door is tall.

tonyj wrote:Not an uncommon problem.

One thing I have seen many builders do is run rain channel down the side in front of the door. Mine runs about half way down, but I also have an inner seal to prevent water from entering that gets past. You would probably have to run a channel that is a little longer than your door is tall.

Thanks Tony. Even though the photos in my album don't show it, I have already run some rain channel down the entire front and top of both doors. The rain came in the left side where it was driven by the high winds of the thunder storm. What I need is an inner seal that will allow the doors to close enough for them to latch.

Or duct tape.

tonyj wrote:Or duct tape.

Inside or out?

For the duct tape method, outside is the best. Just for travelling, of course.

Here is a pic of my inside door frame and seal:

How about instead of duct tape you get an inner tube or some rip stop nylon and put it in behind the hinge. Then any water that makes it through the hinge will go to the ground.

tonyj wrote:For the duct tape method, outside is the best. Just for travelling, of course.

Here is a pic of my inside door frame and seal:

Thanks for the duct tape idea. I'm not sure I will have trouble while pulling the tear. I think the rain channel will handle that part. My problem was when it was sitting in the yard and the rain was driven into it's side by high winds. I like the way you did your doors but mine are basic 3/4 inch plywood doors.

Back to your original post, I think they make 1/8 foam that shouldn't spring your hinge as much, or Miriam's suggestion.

tonyj wrote:Here is a pic of my inside door frame and seal:

Nice job Tony. Hate to hijack but what did you use for your interior trim around the door?

It's mahogany.

tonyj wrote:Back to your original post, I think they make 1/8 foam that shouldn't spring your hinge as much, or Miriam's suggestion.

I'd like to try the 1/8 inch foam first before I have to rip the hinges back off, the problem is I haven't seen any 1/8 inch foam.

Tim,
Try that big orange, box store, they used to, at least, carry a black foam tape 1" and 2" wide and only about 1/8" thick.
I build thermal control boxes in our test lab and it comes in real handy
haven't bought any for awhile so I may be just blowing smoke, but it is out there.

Thanks for the help on the 1/8 inch foam weather stripping. I found it at home depot. I thought it would work but the doors still won't close with even as little as 1/8 inch in the hinges. I don't know what to do.

TPMcGinty wrote:Thanks for the help on the 1/8 inch foam weather stripping. I found it at home depot. I thought it would work but the doors still won't close with even as little as 1/8 inch in the hinges. I don't know what to do.

Is there a chance you could make your own thin gasket with some caulk?