Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

well im at the stage in my build that i need to think about a hatch prop ideas. My hatch is very heavy at 65 lbs. I dont want to use gas props.
What ideas do you guys have for me
Thanks

It’s going to be hard to beat a big stick with a couple of fittings on either end. There are some good shots under hatches sticky.

You could also use some galvanized conduit, which is pretty cheap and can be used natural or painted. I think that has been done.

Hydraulics would be supper cool, but…

I'm in the same boat. It's been three years of using two sticks. I am finally going to use a hinge at the top and a bolt/wing nut at the bottom. It should be rock solid. I have to do it soon since I have almost been beamed by the hatch on several occasions. I feel I'm pressing my luck.

My hatch is very heavy at 65 lbs. I dont want to use gas props.

May I ask why you don't want to use gas props?

Rob

These supports are made of springs and 1" boat bimini top end pieces. The springs don't put any load on the hatch hinge or help in lifting, They just fold over when pushed off center a little and pop into place when the hatch is lifted. I've had a gust of wind raise the hatch a little once, and it is heavy, but the supports did their job. The springs came from Mcmaster.com, and I have never had a hatch "mishap" yet, they have been in use 4 years.

Camp pals from Wally world hold mine up. I like the lantern arms and the paper towel holder and one arm of the camp pal ( each side) actuall holds my heavy as hell hatch. But be warned there is no up lift protection a sudden severe gust of wind could be disasterous. They come in 2' sections and are a bit heavier than E.M.T. a hacksaw and you have custom lengths

48Rob wrote:

My hatch is very heavy at 65 lbs. I dont want to use gas props.

May I ask why you don't want to use gas props?

Rob

My thoughts exactly. I love my gas struts and while they cost more than a stick I think it's worth it.

I used starwheel-type supports. They're rock solid and were easy to install. Plus lifting the hatch manually makes up for all those times I don't go to the gym.

Dean_A wrote:I used starwheel-type supports. They're rock solid and were easy to install. Plus lifting the hatch manually makes up for all those times I don't go to the gym.

Hey, Dean...where did you get those from...they look like the ones in the MGB catalog (Hood props) ...do you have a different source?
Philip

Hey, Dean...where did you get those from...they look like the ones in the MGB catalog (Hood props) ...do you have a different source?
Philip

I got them from Austin Hardware back before they... changed.
I got them for $9 each. They are now listing them for $29 each
I've heard that if you call them instead of ordering online you can get a better price, but I have no first hand experience.

I also found them here with a google search for "telescopic door props". The price is more inline with what I paid.
http://www.eztruckaccessories.com/teles ... d-prop.asp

FYI, I cut mine down a bit shorter and removed one of the brackets to fit my application better.

I got similar ones the other day from Austin. I did it by phone after using their online catalog to find the part number. Once you have a part number an order can be placed by phone. The phone prices are much cheaper than the online prices.

$14 by phone for the struts I chose. They have a safety catch.

I think that I like the telescopic door props. The price is great, and they look sturdy enough to hold my heavy hatch up. I dont like gass shocks because of the price and I think that anything that would assist in lifting would always put stress on the hatch in the closed position. My only concern is,do the have a safety that will keep them from unlatching when that suden gust of wind comes along? Also how hard is it to figure out the geometry?

Thanks again guys

Hi Joe,

Telescopic props generally don't have a safety, but it is easy enough to drill a hole through which a "safety" pin can be inserted.

Andrew has a chart or info out there somehere on geometry or placement of the props.

While some gas shocks are installed so that they constantly place pressure on the hinge, they can be installed so that once the 2/3 closed mark has been passed, they begin to "pull" the hatch closed and put light pressure toward keeping it closed.
I have mine set up this way.
There is no pressure against the hinge trying to push it open.

Gas lifts are $20-$25 each, cheaper yet on sale.
Car parts store are a good source.

While homemade supports may well be cheaper, and you may be plenty strong enough to lift and lower that heavy weight many times each day while camping, what about your wife, or a future owner?

Either way you go, enjoy your tear, and please post pictures of your final setup!

Rob

48Rob wrote:While some gas shocks are installed so that they constantly place pressure on the hinge, they can be installed so that once the 2/3 closed mark has been passed, they begin to "pull" the hatch closed and put light pressure toward keeping it closed.

Exactly. If you measure them right, they won't put any pressure on the hinge while closed. Mine will pull the hatch closed about a foot from closing. Very smooth (and my hatch is heavier than yours).

Whatever you use, take pictures and let us know!

joe43952 wrote:I think that I like the telescopic door props. The price is great, and they look sturdy enough to hold my heavy hatch up. I dont like gass shocks because of the price and I think that anything that would assist in lifting would always put stress on the hatch in the closed position. My only concern is,do the have a safety that will keep them from unlatching when that suden gust of wind comes along? Also how hard is it to figure out the geometry?

Thanks again guys

The supports do come with safety holes, so you can put a wire lock pin through them on windy days, but honestly, it's not going to be a problem. It would have to be gale-force winds before it could lift the hatch up enough to release the catch.