Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I came upon them by accident while waiting a half hour for the guy at HF to figure out how to cut the 3/4" hemp rope, but...

I see they come in a few cool standard lengths--24", 36" and 48". They LOOK like piano hinges, but they seemed a little flimsy compared to what I expected from the rigidity of a piano hinge. Granted, once secured to wood, maybe this is not an issue. Also, I think the material is zinc coated, so I don't know about weather durability either.

Just curious to know if these are an acceptable option, even if not the BEST option, in case I don't want to deal with any more packages getting delivered to the house--and getting yelled at even more by my wife.

I used these hinges for the storage bins under the seats in the Lil Diner 2. You are right, the wood definately stiffens things up. I would not use them for exterior applications, as I think they would corrode.
For the hatch I've used the hurricane hinge from Grant on all three Tears. I really like them and will continue to use them.
If you really want a piano hinge try a stainless hinge, I know, wifey will be upset, but, it will hold up well. Cover the hinge joint with a rubber seal to achieve a water tight seal. A lot of work...That's why I prefer the hurricane hinges.

Thanks for the info, Steve. Can you find hurricane hinges in a regular store? Like I said, I REALLY don't want to go the mail order route if I can avoid it. the postage kills you too, albeit no tax.

Ira, they are a usable option given the current budget constraints you have. I have used them on exterior applications on glider trailers.
Think about it for a minute. If you have a completed trailer, and you need to replace a hinge for "maintenance" , the finance department might have an easier time of it

I second the opinion that they would not be good for exterior use. I used Stanley brand plated piano hinges I bought from HD on the roof of some bird feeders I build a couple of years ago. After one winter exposed to the elements the surface was 100% covered with rust. They might, however, be good for inside cabinets.

I would recommend stainless steel for exterior door hinges. If you are looking to save some money, some people has successfully used aluminum hinges for this purpose.

Ira,

I got stainless steel hinges from Fastenal for about what you would pay for those at HD or HF. They should last much much longer.

Here's fastenal web page with store locations in the vacinity of your zip.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/locations.ex

If not is stock they can order.

Geron

The steel rod inside will rust like crazy. Check your local boating/marine store for aluminum or stainless and put a piece of inner tube underneath the hing for a watertight seal. Don't forget to make the hinge about a 1/4 inch longer on each side, That little overhang will help keep water fron running into galley when it is open.

Geron wrote:Ira,

I got stainless steel hinges from Fastenal for about what you would pay for those at HD or HF. They should last much much longer.

Here's fastenal web page with store locations in the vacinity of your zip.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/locations.ex

If not is stock they can order.

Geron

Hey, there are tons of them near here. Thanks, Geron--I'll check it out. Actually, thanks EVERYONE. I don't want to turn this hinge purchase into a career, but I don't want to spend a fortune or buy something TOTALLY unsuitable.

I'm surprised Stanley doesn't make this in stainless.

And Alan, do you mean the stell rod in the Stanley rod is gonna rust?

Regarding postage on mail order for a hurricane hinge, we ordered ours from
The Teardrop fix-it shop and he sent it in a pvc pipe, the postage was maybe $12.00 or less. We also ordered the edge trim at the same time so the pipe was pretty full. Not too bad really.
Juli n Bill

Juli n Bill wrote:Regarding postage on mail order for a hurricane hinge, we ordered ours from
The Teardrop fix-it shop and he sent it in a pvc pipe, the postage was maybe $12.00 or less. We also ordered the edge trim at the same time so the pipe was pretty full. Not too bad really.
Juli n Bill

At the current cost of gas it may often be less expensive to mail order than drive

Geron

You are so right. Harbor Freight is about 25 miles from my house and by the time I drive round trip, it takes around 3 gallons of gas. Approx $6.00+ dollars and I can order stuff from HF and pay less on shipping! By the way, where is the web address of Teardrop fix-it?

Geron wrote:
At the current cost of gas it may often be less expensive to mail order than drive

Geron

Very true, I've come to that conclusion myself. I often find myself calculating shipping costs as opposed to gas cost and my time spent chasing a part before I go looking for something. More often than not it is cheaper for Fedex to bring it to my door.
Unfortunately this is also helping to contribute to the closing of a lot of local small businesses.

Nitetimes wrote:

Geron wrote:
At the current cost of gas it may often be less expensive to mail order than drive

Geron

Unfortunately this is also helping to contribute to the closing of a lot of local small businesses.

Yes, I have great compassion for the mom and pops and try to support them when possible. However, it cost very little to go electronic and many of these business need to read the writing on the wall. Net sales could save their business. Just a thought.

g

...here is the link for the teardrop fixit shop

Grant at lil Bear has an improved Hurricane hinge for $40 including shipping... see it here

madjack

Just an FYI on the hinge from the Fixit Shop, that's the one I bought and it works OK except that when it's raining and the hatch is open, water runs thru it. It does not leak when the hatch is closed, however.