Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

HI,
One thing I love about the teardrop is that it is snug. Sometimes almost too snug. I have 2 windows and a sun roof popup, but there are summer evenings when leaving the door open would help the circulation.

Any ideas about how to install a screen to keep bugs/critters out and let breeze in? Also, needs to be something that is relatively easy to negotiate during the night to let the old dog out for a pee break.

here's the shape of the door. Ideas?
thanks
Stephanie (catinmoon)

Stephanie,

Standard campers have a special hinge and interior door frame/trim that allows a screen door.
Pretty hard to retrofit.

Velcro attached screens seem to be the easiest, least expensive add on option.

Rob

We have those "As Seen On TV" magnetic screens on our house. They work pretty well. I would think that with a bit of screen cloth, some bias tape, a sewing machine and a few magnets, you could knock one out in no time. I would hang it from the top and put the magnets at the bottom, rather than splitting it down the middle. Incorporate some ties, at the top, so you can roll it up when you're not using it

I was thinking about a screen as well and thought that if I cut down a magic screen to fit, it would work well:

http://ww2.buymagicmesh.com/?tag=im|sm| ... icmesh.com

rmblefsh wrote:I was thinking about a screen as well and thought that if I cut down a magic screen to fit, it would work well:

Those are what we have in our house. For a small door, like a TD, you wouldn't want them attached at the top and side(s) as shown. They open diagonally and with a small TD door, you wouldn't have enough of an opening to get in, unless you're about 3 feet tall and weigh 50 pounds. If you attach them at the top and place the magnets at the bottom, you will be able to utilize the entire door opening. As I said before, they would be very easy to make if you have, even rudimentary, sewing skills. just be aware that they do not fit perfectly tight and an occasional flying visitor will find it's way in

Here is an illustration of my solution.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=32276&p=573144&hilit=screen+solution#p573144

I looked at a scamp last week that had a bi-fold screen door. Would work great for a larger standy. It works just like a bi-fold closet door.

there are several things you could do. buy one of those magnetic screen doors with the magnets in the center or make one.
you can just hang cloth screen from above and cut it to the shape of the door. and roll it up when it is not in use.
You could have an insert that you remove and put back
many regular trailers have the screen as part of the door the frame holds both and there for you can swing away the door and the screen stays. Or the door and the screen open together. Go to an RV sales place and look at them (leave you credit cards at home )
then there are the ones that roll to the side on a spring.

hope these help.
Ron

Some of the 1950s House Trailers had sliding screen doors
that slid back along the wall when not in use and were out
of the way when not used.

Maybe a mini version of that could work in a TD - provided
you can spare a couple inches - or slightly more - of inside width.
Remember you can use 1x2 [3/4in x 1 1/2in] wood for the door
structure. It just needs to be able to hold the screening and be
stout enough to take the sliding motion.

Edit of 09-14-2013

I just though of another approach to making a sliding screen door,
while posting on the Crossbow Build Thread:

Maybe you could re-purpose and modify an aluminum framed
"screen pane" from an aluminum screen door or an aluminum
storm window ? [Or even have one made up by a window place ?]
That'd have a sturdy perimeter frame and is quite thin and would
be more rigid than a piece of sheet metal.[with a screen section
inserted.]

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

mezmo wrote:Some of the 1950s House Trailers had sliding screen doors
that slid back along the wall when not in use and were out
of the way when not used.

Maybe a mini version of that could work in a TD - provided
you can spare a couple inches - or slightly more - of inside width.
Remember you can use 1x2 [3/4in x 1 1/2in] wood for the door
structure. It just needs to be able to hold the screening and be
stout enough to take the sliding motion.

I am building my 2nd trailer as we speak, I could make the wall inside with a little track for the screen to ride on and it would slide into the wall. I would not have to be very thick Just a little thicker then the screen. my build is at the bottom of this entry soo. stay tuned yet another invention ...... I love inventions.

Ron

just bought a 2011 Scamp 13ft ...the screen doors are great

bcsnave wrote:just bought a 2011 Scamp 13ft ...the screen doors are great

In what way

I have went to a home show they offer screens that roll up at the side of the door. I am thinking of putting one in that rolls up overhead like a blind.

But I would like to know more about the scamp screen door too.

Ron

I had this ideal of making a aluminum frame little bigger then my door inside frame and install hing on one side and cabinet magnets on other and doing it that way but I have a cargo so why couldn't a guy or gal with a tear make a plywood frame that would fit in there door frame nice a snug with magnets on back side with handles to take it out when they want in and out. You could cut 2 pieces of ply 1/4 thick and sandwitch the screen between them and drew handles on each side lay on bed while in travel Just my 2 cents

bc toys wrote:I had this ideal of making a aluminum frame little bigger then my door inside frame and install hing on one side and cabinet magnets on other and doing it that way but I have a cargo so why couldn't a guy or gal with a tear make a plywood frame that would fit in there door frame nice a snug with magnets on back side with handles to take it out when they want in and out. You could cut 2 pieces of ply 1/4 thick and sandwitch the screen between them and drew handles on each side lay on bed while in travel Just my 2 cents

How do you close it while you're in the trailer? Reach out the door and pick it up off the ground, or you have to maneuver around it inside the trailer while getting in and out.

Not very practical, I think.

<Chas>

this might work from above
no picture a screen magnets could hold it below