Installing a side door in a 5 X 8

[Steve_Cox]

I got a bargain on a 5 X 8 a couple of weeks ago, and decided I needed a side door. I found a guy on Ebay who ordered a custom door for me and t was delivered by common carrier. It looked like it was dropped a few times, 3 out of 4 corners of the frame were bent, but I still accepted the delivery, I didn't want to file a claim and wait, for who knows how long... The frame was soft aluminum and straightened out OK. I measured, marked, measured again. The big concern was cutting a rectangle that matched the door.... I was thinking too hard. I put the tape measure and carpenter's square back in the tool box and made a template out of the 1/8" plywood from the door crate.

A few minutes with a saws-all and the trailer had a gaping wound in it's side..... It turned out pretty good.

[S. Heisley]

Oh, you are a clever fellow. It looks like a nice, neat job and the trailer looks much better with the side door in it. You'll be glad you did that!

[Steve_Cox]

Oh, you are a clever fellow. It looks like a nice, neat job and the trailer looks much better with the side door in it. You'll be glad you did that!

Thanks Sharon, coming from such an accomplished builder that was a nice gesture.

[pete42]

No stress there
what were you thinking just before you made that first plunge cut?
then about half way up the wall did you ask yourself "I hope this works" or "what am I doing???"
then later you said to yourself " looking-good"

great job on the door install, that must be the biggest hole I have seen anyone cut in their trailer.

pete

[b.bodemer]

Nice clean install!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barb

[Steve_Cox]

Pete,

Absolutely no fear in that first cut, that aluminum was so soft it cut like buttah! The template and the fact that the frame flange was 1 1/4" wide gave me confidence that even I could chew a hole in the side of the trailer and it would still look OK.


Barb,

Thanks

[GPW]

Steve, Super job !!! How tall is your CT ??? Fits in the garage eh ???

[S. Heisley]

Hey, Steve!

I imagine that the paneling I see inside was taken off the side that you were working on. While you have the paneling off, can you add a little insulation between the studs?

[lonerider]

I've been thinking about a side door in my 5x10...how much did it cost??

[kickintail]

looks good. it's funny how after you cut your first hole in something how easy it is after that :

[Steve_Cox]

Steve, Super job !!! How tall is your CT ??? Fits in the garage eh ???

It's about 5' inside and yup, fits in the garage, but no clearance for a roof vent

Hey, Steve!

I imagine that the paneling I see inside was taken off the side that you were working on. While you have the paneling off, can you add a little insulation between the studs?

Sharon,

No insulation until I decide it is no longer going to be used for just hauling stuff...... Then and if that happens the whole inside comes out, insulation goes in and the lime green shag carpet gets put on the floor, walls and ceiling. Add a black light and a few posters and a bunch of pillows......

I've been thinking about a side door in my 5x10...how much did it cost??

The door was $198.00 delivered, custom size 28 X 56 with a flush mount passage lock with a deadbolt. Wouldn't suggest having one shipped, they tried to destroy it in route. Find a trailer builder close to you, that will make one.

[GPW]

Steve, that sounds just Perfect , save the roof vent business... Maybe you could put some smaller vents high on the sides , or even a back door ... As I recall , the old timers had small vents on the sides ... just an idea to fit in the garage , not that a CT needs a garage anyway ... One of the biggest appeals of the durable Cargo trailers eh !!!
Just another idea ... in vans we used to put a small vent in the floor(with a cover) That way the hot air would escape out the top (hot air rises ) and cool air would enter the bottom .... Flow through ventilation ... It Works !!!

[digimark]

The Fantastic Vent people make a low-profile cover for their fans. If you have a few inches of space between the top of the door and the roof, you might be able to make it fit... You'd need a level driveway though... if there were any drop or lift in the driveway surface past the door opening you might get "wedged"...

[glamoree]

Great looking door, I wish I went with a bigger door, and maybe another on the other side. It would be easier for my wife to get in and out. Hey live and learn, it does the job and not to bad for my first time.