Whitney's Weakender - Hatch / Galley Lid Redesign - Pg 11

[WhitneyK]

Are you talking about a hatch set up kinda like Les45? That would definitely make it lighter that's for sure!

Kinda sort of but not really. Upper half / portion of back will stay connected to the top. Lower portion will drop down like Les' with the addition of the bottom portion to drop down like a tail gate if needed for extra access. Or that's my thought pattern anyway.

[Alan_H]

Sorry to dredge up this topic, but how did the hatch re-design work out for ya?

[WhitneyK]

OK, finally getting around to (with a little prompting ) following up on the completion of my hatch remodel project. Got it done just in time for our TX trip back in middle to late April.
To revisit the reason for the remodel; to lift the entire hatch each time was 60 #'s AND, we are "travelers", not campers. On a trip, we normally don't set up for very many nights in one spot. We go to an area, see the sites, then move on to the next point of interest on our agenda. (do a lot of nature photography) Cooking / food isn't always top priority in our travels and we don't require 3 squares a day (takes up too much of our time) just a place to shower and lay our head for (hopefully) a good nights rest Time is of the essence, a lot of our trips consist of 3000 - 5000+ mile journey's and only a week or two to get it all done in.
We keep the cooler with our perishable food (which isn't much) and cold soda & water in the vehicle with us (for added room, I remove the back seat of our Equinox and have built a flat platform to take its place, that's another thread....) We only need to access the hatch area for towels / dirties / snack items / spare drinks..., so it's just "in and out".
Anysomeway, on with the show.....
Below is my original hatch / galley lid configuration, one solid and heavy piece:...........................................The look didn't change much, but the function sure did


The top lifts up for quick access to the MW, dry goods ( ), and towels. It reduced the lifting weight down to 30#'s, still heavy by a lot of TD hatch standards, but it's better. If further access is needed to extras down low, a quick release of the latch and it swings down out of the way. Might eventually put some cables on it so it can double as a table / counter top. The latch is made from a re-purposed garage door latch with the flat pieces "modified" to get a better "bite" in the solid frame area.


Oh, the drop down door is normally higher off the ground when I have our li'l camper leveled or still hitched behind our TV

I wanted the latches for the lower door to be solid and not allow and moving around because it would effect the 2nd door possibly. I tried the rubber "jeep hood" latches, but they allowed movement and was too much of a struggle to latch and unlatch. These are simply a lockable / secure inside barn door hook & eye. I can set the tension on them plus if they do become loose, the locking mechanism should keep them from bouncing off. It has a chain limiter on it to keep it off my taillights. Previously, I had a slide out cooler tray in the bottom, but decided to remove it for now.



May not be the greatest idea to come down the pike, but it works for us for now and has reduced the effort involved in accessing the galley / trunk area. Haven't got around to any "final finish" yet. Had to make all the aluminum trim pieces. Obtained left over gutter coil stock from a good fella (it measures around .032 thickness), and a friend has a heavy metal brake, same one I used on the rest of the trim work when I built it.
I'm not a fancy craftsman but it allows us the affordability to travel more, and that's all we need for now.....

[shortgmanp]

I think you are a very good craftsman! Lisa and I were talking about you at the CRA! Glad to see you are doing well.

[Rlowell]

That is AMAZING!
You are a very good craftsman with some outstanding results.
I struggled with the same questions on my build of the Weekender. The results are satisfactory with no leaks that I can find.
I have very much enjoyed watching your work.

Rod

[WhitneyK]

I think you are a very good craftsman!

That is AMAZING!
You are a very good craftsman with some outstanding results.
I have very much enjoyed watching your work.

Rod

You both are too kind , thanks. I'll post the "myth-buster" to this at the end.....

Another reason for re-doing the hatch was that it was taking it's toll on the "continuous living hinge". Now, I'm not faulting this product, I feel that with the weight of the hatch lid and where the props where positioned that it was over stressed just couldn't take it anymore I broke down and ordered a hurricane hinge from Frank Bear like I should have in the first place and not tried to save the cash Live & learn I guess

(it did last 3 yrs out in the weather)

Also, before our trip we needed some 110V in the cabin so we could charge camera / video cam / phone(s) / laptop batteries at night. I did a simple plug strip install under the shelf.


Used a piece of aluminum angle to attach it, ran the cord along the bottom of the shelf and through the foot board / galley wall.


Mounted a plastic "new work" box and connected to the 110V in the galley that feeds the MW & coffee pot


And then, this is where my careful planning / measuring / engineering pays of.....

I notched the cover to clear the drawer when it closes. (goofball!!!)


I could have moved the box to allow for clearance, but by that point, I was pretty well over it and nobodies gonna see it, well, until now.

[Phooey]

Looking very good, they are never "finished". BTW, where did you get the wooden box in the galley labeled "Frigid". Hysterical, I want one!

[bobhenry]

Looking very good, they are never "finished". BTW, where did you get the wooden box in the galley labeled "Frigid". Hysterical, I want one!

You don't know it all ! I have seen it up close and it freaks me out.

[bobhenry]

I just know I am not going to sleep tonight !

http://www.frigidfluid.com/product-category/embalming-fluids/page/2/

serving you since 1892

[WhitneyK]

Looking very good, they are never "finished". BTW, where did you get the wooden box in the galley labeled "Frigid". Hysterical, I want one!

I just know I am not going to sleep tonight !

http://www.frigidfluid.com/product-category/embalming-fluids/page/2/

serving you since 1892

Oh, it was finished. Any changes after the first trip are "remodeling projects".

Have several more boxes, some with different names. Several of the boxes still have the original bottles with the wire on glass stoppers. It was an exchange program back in the day sort of like the deposit on soda pop bottles. If you look close on the right behind the 4x4 blocks is the original shipping label (red) to our funeral home I poly'd over to preserve it.

My family was in the funeral business for 104+ years. Started in 1891. Still have some of the old stuff around.

Bob,
Don't you know people die in bed?

[shortgmanp]

Lisa and I just returned from a two week out west. I had the same thing happen to my living hinge. Like you I ordered a hurricane hinge from Frank. I had to replace the hinge before the CRA, so I replace the living hinge with some of the roll I had left over. When I get time this winter I will replace the living hinge. I can not really complain about the product. I had 8000 miles on it over 5 years. When I mounted the original hinge I installed safety straps on the hatch just in case of a failure. So when mine failed I just put gorilla tape over the split to keep water out and did not have to worry about it flying off during towing. Glad to see you are doing well Whitney. Tell Tracey Lisa and I said hello.

[Phooey]

[/quote]

Bobhenry, I did know what else was on the box, that is why I asked.

Whitney, would you be willing to part with one of those old wooden boxes? To explain, I used to work in a hospital and I have seen and learned probably more than I ever wanted to. As a result I have a rather "dark" sense of humor. Sometimes if you don't laugh you will cry. You most certainly can PM if you like.