Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Is the simple, flat piano hinge such as HD sells...OK for the door, or am I looking for trouble if I use one ?

You can use it but you have to waterproof it. I seen people cover it with rubber so that water can't come in thru the seam.

Thanks asian..just what i needed to know..
Does the offset piano hinge solve the leaking problem ?

I think it will still come in. If you hold it up to the light, you can see the gaps in the hinge. Even the offset hinges need weather stripping.

Thanks AF..just have to work with it I guess...

Wanted to use better hinges but the budget thing came up...The 3 sides w/out the hindge are sealed w/1/2 in compression seals,they collapse when squeezed...They were mounted by building a picture style frame1/2 in larger than the door itself... around the ouside of the door...When the door is closed WALLA WALLA...the seals compress...water tight...On the hinge side we put the seal on the inside of the door...Building a little lip comming off the inside framing..1/2 in...WALLA WALLA....water tight...It worked for me....As soon as the budget gets a little caught up...Id like to get better hinges...Will keep an eye out for any leaks ...We just has a massive Flash flood...rain came in sheets...The seals held...If you have the bucks id by better hinges...But you can make the cheaper things work w/ a little imagination...Good Luck on your build...

I used an aluminum hinge and mounted it on the outside. So it served two purposes: hinge and trim for the door.

That HD hinge will probably start to rust pretty quick if it is steel with a steel pin. My local fishing/boating place sell fairly inexpensive aluminum and better stainless hinge by the foot. I seal my hinge by putting a strip of bicycle inner tube under it and caulking the edges. Has worked well for three tears so far. Do the same for galley hinge.

I originally planned on a flat aluminum continous hinge, but after I had 1 door get cupped I opted for the hinges that Grant sells. The extra break in the hinge flap helps strengthen the door and flatten it out. I decorated the interior visible portion of the hinge with a grinder, see my album. Doug Hodder