by noseoil » Sat Aug 22, 2015 8:12 am
Dale, not sure I'm understanding the problem you're seeing with this hinge. It looks like it opens up far enough to work (180 degrees is more than enough). If it's long enough, it should work OK as far as I can see. It can either sit on top of the cabin or sit inside the framework.
You would need it to be an inch or so longer than the trailer itself is wide. Is it long enough to stick out on both sides? You would need to be careful about trimming the front flange (cabin side) so it sits inside the frame opening & mates properly with the spar. The back (hatch) length flange would also need to be trimmed with care, so it fits against the hatch spar at the top, with enough clearance to swing open & not rub against the sides. Other than that, it looks to be plenty stout & should last forever in your application.
It also looks like it might not be able to be taken apart, but with a couple of mates to help hold it in place when the screws go in, that should take care of it when you actually mount the hinge to the cabin. As long as the edges are sealed properly when you put in the fasteners, it should work well enough. Probably best to pre-finish the wood all around that location with a few coats of urethane or good spar varnish & then let it dry properly. If all the pilot holes are drilled first, the finish will be absorbed into the wood and help seal it up from the water.
It would be easier to apply the hinge to the hatch first, with enough fasteners & some type of adhesive or a good marine sealant to bed it in place. Let this set up & be weather-tight so there are no gaps or openings for water to enter the adjacent wood. Once this is done, the same thing could be done on the cabin side flange. The biggest problem would be holding it in place to get the fasteners aligned & started at first. That's where some help holding it in place & pilot holes would be in order. Again, some type of a sealant under the flange would be a must, but I think this would make for a good seal when all is said & done. Just figure that sooner or later, some water may find it's way into the galley area, finish the wood & cabinets accordingly, so it can't get into the wood when it does.
I have a hurricane hinge for my build, but I'm not thinking it will ever be completely water-proof. The top shelf will get another coat of urethane when I'm done, because water will find its way into the build sooner or later. The whole idea for me is to give it nothing to do but evaporate once it's in there and sloshing around.
Last edited by
noseoil on Sat Aug 22, 2015 5:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
