Galley Hatch - Convertible Top

[BILLYL]

First - this forum rocks - way too many ideas.

Anyway getting ready to do the galley hatch - making the Cubby - And after reading many posts about the trouble some people had - I thought - why not make and apply a convertible top like hatch. Make it out of UV, water resistant vinyl-miltary grade- sew in some stiffners- snap it along the side - add a rain gutter on the top- so water diverts to the side.

Thoughts - ideas?

Thanks

BILL

[IraRat]

Hey, why NOT!?

Damn--I hope you come up with some more thoughts on this before I'm ready to do MY hatch. (I'm building a modified Cubby too.)

One of the two negatives I can think of now is that in the event of an unexpected storm, you would have to rush to snap the cover on. Granted, there may be a workaround for this if the galley is configured a certain way--electrical appliances like microwave and such are installed into cabinets where they wouldn't be damaged--but that's a big consideration which will dramatically affect galley design.

Second negative is keeping squirrels and other critters away from getting in there for a free meal, even when the cover is snapped on.

Keep thinking about it. But from what I've read here, I don't think the hatch will be HALF as much trouble as the doors.

And those doors scare the hell out of me.

[Woody]

I think the main concern here is wind driven water while driving on the highway. I guess if you can work out that issue alone it might be worth a design look. If you camp anywhere in raccoon or bear country, it might not be worth the effort due to ease of opening from the snaps along the edge. Just some thoughts

[Chip]

If ya can think it and work out the fragmented details then go fer it,,, I think though that if a poll were taken of folks that have built a trailer and ask what is the most dreaded item to build it would be the hatch,, however it can be just another detail that is not that difficult,, Most trouble comes into play when narrow ribs are used and plywood that wants to straighten out is used to cover the ribs,, Yep it dont fit ,, cover it with something ,,ie, masonite that does not have much memory and ya should make life easier on ya self,,I guess I was real lucky,, With Franks help mine fit first time,,, well almost,,

good luck,, measure 5 times, cut once and leave a little to grind off later

chipper

[BILLYL]

Thanks for the replys. Started putting thoughts to paper and it is great to have a wife who knows everything about sewing - and I mean everything - started to modify the idea. The design would be to make a awning type hatch. Using EMT tubing - create a substructure out of the tubing and have it covered. Lightweight and easy to keep up. Next is to take with the local marine/sail making shop to get some more ideas..

Thanks

BILL

[IraRat]

Billy, make sure you take a lot of pictures--closeups! This could be very interesting on a bunch of levels.

[BILLYL]

Ira-

Just got a camera - so will do...............

BILL

[angib]

Thoughts - ideas?

This is a great idea!

Sandwich strips of ply (say, 4" wide, 3/8" thick, running across the trailer) between two layers of material (only the outer needs to be vinyl) - the 'hatch' can then be 'rolled' up and down but will have some strength. Add velcro along the side walls and some positive fixing at the bottom and it'll be as strong as most folks' hatches. Fix the front/top edge securely to the top of the trailer and you can pull the hatch out on a couple of tent poles as a galley awning.

I'm liking this idea more and more....

Andrew

[Arne]

Think: bears...

[asianflava]

Think: bears...

Even Raccoons could be a problem.

[BILLYL]

Old Boy Scout trick - stow your food away from where you sleep... Maybe in one of those bear barels - latched to a tree. I do agree that coons could be a problem - even those long legged rats - OPPPSSS I meant deers. But if a bear wants into your cabin - unless it is made of steal they are going to get in

Hey maybe a small electric charge good give them some zaps



Will continue to thinkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

But all good points.............\

Thanks again-

BILL

[Marck]

One of the two negatives I can think of now is that in the event of an unexpected storm, you would have to rush to snap the cover on.

Velcro??
Hmmm or maybe if you're creative enough... make it so it zippers to the tear on both sides and bottom???
Maybe??

[IraRat]

Do they make stainless steel zippers?

I would think Velcro is not a good idea. I don't see how that would hold up and still work in the elements.

[BILLYL]

That is true - the velcro - although we used it in outerspace - may have some short comings here in this application. The zipper closer has some intersesting possibilities - - I am still favoring the snap closure.

The pesky animals still have me concerned. This needs to be addressed. One thought - all food products would need to be stowed in a coller in the tow vehicle. We did have a issue at a recent camping trip - even here in MAryland - bear was sighted in the area and park rangers said to get all food away from the camp site. But racoons are probably worst and those dam chimpmonks..................

If I get some time - (yeah right) I thought I could mock up the ideas and kind of test it.

Rain water is another issue - and as one knows water seeks the path of least resistance.

Keep the ideas and thoughts flowing.

Thanks

BILL

[IraRat]

Even with the food stowed away, the odors still remain in the galley that attract animals. I don't live in bear country, so I'm not worried about that, but I would think even with a conventional hatch and NO food in there, a bear could still come to investigate.

I say we shoot all of the bears.

(JUST KIDDING!!!)

The snaps might not be a bad idea, but I think you want something you can open and close with minimal effort. You're hopefully going to be doing a lot of showing off to people who want to see what this thing is all about.