Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Walt M** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:27 pm

Ok Folks what do you think ? I'm going to fully adhere a EPDM roof (white) to the outer roof skins. My thought is to use a living hinge for the galley hatch and covering the hinge altogether,with the EPDM. rather than applying the roofing then applying the hinge to the roof. Any thoughts?

by **mikeschn** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:37 pm

sounds good to me...

it should look something like this, right?

Mike...

by **Walt M** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:45 pm

So you don't think it bad to cover the living hinge with the rubber?

by **mikeschn** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:52 pm

I've never used a living hinge. I have picked up one for John in Canada, and it seems like it would be okay. I don't know what the duty cycle is for that though. Someone here on the forum said it ripped right away.

I've always use the better than Hurricane Hinge from Grant, and it works well.

Mike...

by **Jiminsav** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:50 pm

I'd try it, but i'm known for taking risks..

by **BrwBier** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:42 pm

I used a plastic hinge on mine and rabbited the spars on either side of the hatch and set the hinge in so it was level with framing and put my aluminum roof on over the top. It looks very smooth and does not seem like it will ever be a problem.
Brwbier

http://s26.photobucket.com/user/len1907 · by **len19070** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:18 pm

I like Grants "Hurricane Hinge" too.

I have Given EPDM rubber to some people who mounted it under A piano hinge. This works, and there happy with it.

As far as the living hinge, my Buddy "Coop" used it on his trailer. It has held up well, though he has told me "The verdict isn't in yet".

I think the Hurricane Hinge is your best bet.

My Mini-Shasta has an EPDM roof with a Hurricane Hinge.

Happy Trails

Len

by **madjack** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:30 pm

mikeschn wrote:........................................Someone here on the forum said it ripped right away. ......................................Mike...

Mike, I don't know what type of plastic hinge that person used but having used the living hinge on multiple items now, I can pretty well say that it wasn't a living hinge that person used...I think hooking it to a couple of Mack trucks would have trouble ripping it...it is very tough and has a load rating of 100#s per inch....
madjack

p.s. I couldn't find a duty cycle but this is from the Monroe website.....

Living Hinges never need lubrication. Monroe Living Hinges (plastic piano hinges) do not wear, fatigue, or deteriorate in the harshest conditions, including moist and corrosive applications. UV resistance is built in to our Living Hinge products providing protection from brutal effects of the sun.

by **Walt M** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:01 am

Madjack, the living hinge I plan to use is the extreme duty from Mcmaster -Carr. I've read a lot of good things about the hinge here. My pondering is about putting the hinge under the rubber roof rather than on top. I feel like I'll get a better seal with the rubber running over the roof and over the galley hatch. what say you? thanks all, Walt

by **madjack** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:14 pm

Walt, from what I have seen, it appears that the McMaster hinge is the same stuff that is manufactured by Monroe...being only about 1/8th thick it should work well under the EDPM, my only question/worry is how to make it lay flat while the EPDM is put over it...the hinge has a tendency to "pucker" between screws if a strip of some kind is not used as a "washer", we use a piece of 1/2X1/16Al flat stock to cover the hinge and then run the screws down thru both(with sealant of course)...I am sure you can work out the engineering when the time comes.....
madjack

by **goldcoop** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:47 pm

Walt-

Like Len said I have both EPDM & the Living Hinge.

I have the EPDM down first, cut it loose from the TD body & hatch, Then I have my hinge on top of the EPDM and then used a aluminum carpet strip fastened with truss head screws.

As Jack said puckers from the screws in the hinge are a problem :cry:

I think if I had it to do over again I would do as you are suggesting!

I would use MANY tacks to attach the hinge (which would eliminate the screw pucker) Then glue down the EPDM over top the whole thing and DON'T cut or separate the EPDM from the TD body & hatch.

As far as the hinge... 4+ years constant exposure to sun, on a HEAVY 90lb. hatch and more than average use... Still going strong :applause:

Hope this helps :roll:

Cheers,

Coop

by **Walt M** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:01 pm

I appreciate the input. I'm thinking of putting two layers of 1/8" ply for the roof. the second layer I'd cutback a bit so the hinge would be even with the plywood, I could put two layers of 1/8" ply on the hatch as well. then let the epdm ride over the whole thing.I experimented with predrilling and countersinking the hinge then I could use (many) flat head screws. Also thinking about setting it in a bed of epoxy,(although epoxy doesn't stick to it very well ,it'll just cutdown on any movement (I think). I'll take some pics when I get it all laid out. Until then keep the ideas coming I'm not committed to anything yet. Thanks much Walt

by **BrwBier** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:23 pm

Under my living hinge I put double stick tape, counter sunk the screws and used 3/4" deck screws. did not pucker but I also rolled it backwards or inside out from the way it came and set in the sun for a few days. If I had thought of it at the time I would have used body side molding tape. It is about 1/16" thick and once stuck to something it is not moving on it's own. Check with a body shop because I have only seen 30' rolls. It's a 3m product with red plastic on both sides.
Brwbier

by **mikeschn** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 7:42 pm

I remember reading about it at the time, but I did a search, and can't find any reference to it now. Instead the references I find now are all in favor of the hinge. So in light of that I would say, "go for it".

As for over versus under... you'll have to share your results with us...

Mike...

madjack wrote:
mikeschn wrote:........................................Someone here on the forum said it ripped right away. ......................................Mike...

Mike, I don't know what type of plastic hinge that person used but having used the living hinge on multiple items now, I can pretty well say that it wasn't a living hinge that person used...I think hooking it to a couple of Mack trucks would have trouble ripping it...it is very tough and has a load rating of 100#s per inch....
madjack

p.s. I couldn't find a duty cycle but this is from the Monroe website.....

Living Hinges never need lubrication. Monroe Living Hinges (plastic piano hinges) do not wear, fatigue, or deteriorate in the harshest conditions, including moist and corrosive applications. UV resistance is built in to our Living Hinge products providing protection from brutal effects of the sun.

by **Steve_Cox** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 7:48 pm

Continuous harsh environment hinge from McMaster.com

Just another installation with 2+ years and no problems.

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