Side Door Questions

[C-MORE]

Hi all, first post here on the new forum, but lurked/posted on the old forum eons ago.

Long story short, I'm starting a 5x10 offroad CT conversion. I looked at new trailers, but honestly, for what I'll be doing with it, it didn't really make a whole lot of sense (even though I LOVE new trailers...). The problem is it's hard to find a used 5x10, they're just not that popular around here, and when you do they're either too short, or have no side door.

So I stumbled on to this little guy last week for less than half of a new one with a 68" interior height, perfect. Problem - no side door.

I've seen a couple here that have built their own, and also seen a few rotten wooden doors. Since this is largely a prototype sort of build, I'm ok with doing a wooden door, but having a hard time working out the appropriate trim. I was looking at using 1" or 3/4" aluminum angle to trim out the body where I cut the hole, but not sure what to trim the door with. I was thinking PN 1668T17 from McMaster-Carr T-profile aluminum to overlap on the door side and overlap on the outside for some rubber trim.

Does this sound legit? Might not be a long-term solution, but then again the longest I've owned a camper is 2 years so far.

Can someone post some detailed photos of their door? Especially with the skin removed?

Thanks!

Oh, and here's what I'm starting with:

IMG_20140103_170939_868.jpg (99.08 KiB) Viewed 1952 times

[bc toys]

where you from the reason I ask I have a side door that i would sell for a few dollars its a white cargo side door new for 200$ it has hinges on it but know latch its in las vegas nv

[Masterplumber]

My factory door is just a sheet of 3/4'' plywood that's been skinned with the same aluminum siding as the rest of the trailer, then trimmed with aluminum parts. I do need to thicken it to 1 1/4'' to install an RV type door latch but it seems plenty strong with the typical bar lock and trailer door hinges. If this is a prototype you might think about going that direction. It would be quick and easy to build using the skin that you cut out for the door opening. You could always weld up something stronger later if you decided it was needed. My last trailer had a welded frame door that was skinned on the inside with Luan and on the outside with aluminum. I don't think it was any stronger.

[C-MORE]

Thanks for the input, anyone else?

BC - I'm in VA so no where close unfortunately.

[aggie79]

That t-molding should work. You do need to pay attention to the hinge side of the t-molding so it doesn't bind. This thread talks about that: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=994828#p994828. Of course, with the t-molding, you would use a seal on the part of the "t" that overlaps the door opening.

[jimbo5971]

I built my door using off the shelf items at the local big box hardware stores. I used 1 1/2" aluminum angle and 3/4" aluminum trim channel for the frame and used 1/2" plywood for the core with frp panel on the inside and skinned the outside with the left overs from new opening.

[Gonefishin]

That looks like simple and effective Jimbo. My main priorities.