what style of hatch is the best

[Pattersob]

Hi I have most of the trailer done except for the hatch.
I would like to get some opinions about what hatch is the best and best at keeping out water?
There is the hatch that can be made by putting the spars between the sidewalls and then cutting down 2 3/4 inches on the sidewalls. This way the hatch is sitting on top of the sidewalls and weatherstripping can be put on both surfaces. Once done the whole hatch is completed .

OR you can make the hatch assembly inside the sidewalls leaving the 1/4 inch between the sidewalls and the hatch.

Can I have some thoughts please.

Thanks

[madjack]

...well the smarta$$ is...the one that works...personally, my hatch ribs are run vertically and sit inside the sidewall, the skin(1/8th ply+.040Al sheet)comes over the sidewall which is notched 3/8th...a piece of "L" shaped, standard RV insert molding is placed on the edge of hatch(attached with flat head rivets, inserted from the bottom up) to comedown over the side wall, the "D" shaped seal is placed in this area(the "tit" of the rivet is covered by the molding insert...the head is covered by the seal))........
madjack

[Juneaudave]

MJ is right .... I have to believe it is not the design but the execution....not only do hatches need to be watertight but they can also have a lot of exposed edges and screw holes that can be a source of water damage if not sealed correctly. Here is a recent thread showing some details of different hatches and hinges. Hatches and Hinges - Show me yours. There is a lot of attention to the sealing details.

[Miriam C.]

Hi I have most of the trailer done except for the hatch.
I would like to get some opinions about what hatch is the best and best at keeping out water?
There is the hatch that can be made by putting the spars between the sidewalls and then cutting down 2 3/4 inches on the sidewalls. This way the hatch is sitting on top of the sidewalls and weatherstripping can be put on both surfaces. Once done the whole hatch is completed .

OR you can make the hatch assembly inside the sidewalls leaving the 1/4 inch between the sidewalls and the hatch.

Can I have some thoughts please.

Thanks

Mine is between the side walls and the roof laps over the sides. I have a seal on the top and have not had water in.