Hatch Framing

[rbonner]

Ive seen o lot of hatch framing. On a 4 ft wide beroy is it better to runs the frames vertical or horizontial? some of you i have read have had to bebuild your hatch. What did you do diffrent? Im about to start on it and would only like to do it once.

[Gerdo]

My BenRoy is 5' wide but still the same construction. I went with two vertical ribs and the rest are horizontal bows. I didn't have any springback. The hatch is exactly where it was when I built it.

[Airspeed]

I ran mine vertically and put blocks between them about every 16"
I insulated the hatch and skinned it in and out. It turned out so ridged I can lift it from one corner without any flex. Aaron

[rbonner]

Hmmm.... two diffrent ways so far. But which is better??? Either? Just ordered my newly improved, super duper,unbeatable hurricane hinge..... how much space between the hatch and rib should i leave?

[Gerdo]

Better? Or just different? I think can both be just as strong if you build it right.

I probably have about 3/8" space on both sides of the hatch framing to the sides of the TD.

[madjack]

I think, folks that have used vertical ribs have had less problems with springback than those who went horizontal...we used 4, 2.5" wide ribs in a vertical arrangement onna 4' tear. We have 1/4" clearance between the sides and the ribs and it was rather tight, might go a tad wider on the next...you will need aproximately 3/8" between the hinge spars on the body and hatch for porper clearance of Grant's Hurrucan Hinge....
madjack

[asianflava]

I built mine with vertical ribs. I had no problems with springback.

[Chaotica]

I did vertical laminated ribs and I expect them to be extremely strong.

[rbonner]

Well my new hurricane hinge came in today! Wow , fast shipping!!!good looking hinge. Guess now I,ll have to start on that hatch.

[rbonner]

Well after 4 hours of framing ny hatch, Ive decided you need 12 sets of hands to hold everything steady as you fasten it together!! Man i dont want to do that by myself again.( Im going to get my pipe clamps back from my buddy today, you can bet on that! lol)

[halfdome, Danny]

In my work I build lots of curved walls, etc. If you go with the horizontal framing you'll most likely have some flex/racking unless you layer plywood to 3/4" thick to make it not flex/rack. If you cut radius framing to match the profile of the hatch you have more integrity in the structure and can use a thinner layer of plywood. They all need some cross bracing. This picture is of my slightly less than 5' wide hatch. The extra corner blocking is for tail lights and license plate light mounting. I could have used less ribs, next time. Danny
P.S Think of the ribs on your body, they curve to match the contour and are very strong, why not make your hatch the same way, it's a proven design. :thumbsup: