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04-17-2012, 11:37 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 16
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Screen Door Mod & Bike Rack
The attached pictures show how I turned our Screen door into a Storm door.
It was a very easy project that took about 2 hours to complete.
I purchased 2 pieces of OPTIX 30 in. x 36 in. x .093 Acrylic Sheets (tinted) from Home Depot for $22.98 sheet, and 3 boxes of Plastic Screen clips $2.94 box.
The screens are still there, so I can still enjoy ventilation by the removing the plastic whenever I choose.
I also installed a toilet flush lever on the sliding door, now I can open the screen door from the inside without having to slide the slidedoor over each time.
I must give credit to JBarca (from another site) for giving me the idea.
I also added a tongue mounted bike rack that holds 4 bikes.
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04-17-2012, 12:17 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 148
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Door Handle
I did something similar except our plexiglass is on the inside. But wow what a great idea with the toilet flush handle! It is a pain to slide the door all the time, plus if your hands are dirty you mark the door! Great Job! Happy Camping
Buckeye Jim
Columbus Oh
Eagle 322FKSK
11Ram 2500 Cummins
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04-17-2012, 12:27 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 16
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Thanks!
If you are anyone else decides to add a toilet handle to their door, I recommend using one that has the metal rod instead of plastic. Using a metal one allows you to bend it as needed.
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04-17-2012, 12:29 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Saratoga Springs, UT
Posts: 191
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Do you leave the plexiglass in place while in transit or do you have to take it down?
__________________
2016 JayFlight X23F
11 Expedition EL
4 Girls under 8 yrs old
1 Wife
1 Dog
2 guinea pigs that stay home...
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04-17-2012, 12:48 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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Nice mods....., I also installed the tinted Plexiglas to my screen door a few years ago and never had a need to remove the Plexiglas to date.
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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04-17-2012, 12:56 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbaka27
Do you leave the plexiglass in place while in transit or do you have to take it down?
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It stays in place.
Having a storm door is nice because I can have the a/c on in the summer while leaving the main door open, or heat on in the winter. It allows me to enjoy the additional light coming inside the trailer and being able to view the great outdoors.
In the fall or spring I can take the plastic off and enjoy the fresh air with the screen.
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04-17-2012, 02:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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Do you have any feel for what the bike rack mod did to the tongue weight? BTW, I really like the storm door... looks great!
__________________
Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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04-17-2012, 02:37 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quahog
Do you have any feel for what the bike rack mod did to the tongue weight? BTW, I really like the storm door... looks great!
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Thanks!
I haven't noticed any weight difference because I've always carried the bikes in the bed of the truck even before adding the rack. Therefore the payload hasn't changed other than the additional weight of the rack. I didn't weigh the rack, but I'm guessing it weighs about 60 lbs. I also try to offset tongue weight by placing things towards the back of the trailer when needed.
Other than the screen door mod, adding the bike rack to the front of the trailer is probably the best mod I've done. The bikes do not bounce and I can always see them in my rear view mirror. If I had it to do over again, I would still put the rack in the same place and never on the back of the trailer.
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04-17-2012, 03:00 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Saratoga Springs, UT
Posts: 191
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Did you fab the bike rack or was it something you purchased. If so do you have a link?
__________________
2016 JayFlight X23F
11 Expedition EL
4 Girls under 8 yrs old
1 Wife
1 Dog
2 guinea pigs that stay home...
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04-18-2012, 03:56 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Nicholasville, Ky
Posts: 285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lclevel
The attached pictures show how I turned our Screen door into a Storm door.
It was a very easy project that took about 2 hours to complete.
I purchased 2 pieces of OPTIX 30 in. x 36 in. x .093 Acrylic Sheets (tinted) from Home Depot for $22.98 sheet, and 3 boxes of Plastic Screen clips $2.94 box.
The screens are still there, so I can still enjoy ventilation by the removing the plastic whenever I choose.
I also installed a toilet flush lever on the sliding door, now I can open the screen door from the inside without having to slide the slidedoor over each time.
I must give credit to JBarca (from another site) for giving me the idea.
I also added a tongue mounted bike rack that holds 4 bikes.
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I really like this mod! Did the Optix come precut or did you have to cut to fit?
__________________
Kirk, Natalie, 2 Kids & 1 Dog
'14 Ram 2500 4x4 CC w/Cummins
'16 Jayco Eagle 325BHQS
'13 Suntracker PB 22
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04-18-2012, 06:02 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbaka27
Did you fab the bike rack or was it something you purchased. If so do you have a link?
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I purchased a bike rack that was manfactured by Allen.
I then fabricated and welded an A-Frame to the tongue of the trailer and welded the Allen Bike Rackto the frame.
I used 2" x 2" x 3/16" Angle and some 1/2" sch/40 Pipe to build the frame. If I would have had some 2" x 2" square tubing it would have been easier and quicker to build, but I used angle Iron because I already had several pieces at home.
I've added some additional pictures to help you see how it was made. Its nothing fancy, but it works great!
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04-18-2012, 06:15 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Da Bud Man
I really like this mod! Did the Optix come precut or did you have to cut to fit?
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Thanks!
I cut it to fit myself. The material cuts very easily on a table saw. If you don't have a table saw I think it would cut very easily with a circular saw if you have a new/sharp blade. I suggest using a blade with lots of teeth, such as a plywood blade. If you pre-measure the door before going to Home Depot I think they would cut it for you also.
I used a band saw to round the corners, but a jig saw should work just fine also. The Optix doesn’t crack as easily as Plexiglass, therefore I don’t think you would have any problems cutting the material using the tools stated above. Also, the edges sand very well for a nice clean look.
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04-18-2012, 08:21 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Nicholasville, Ky
Posts: 285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lclevel
Thanks!
I cut it to fit myself. The material cuts very easily on a table saw. If you don't have a table saw I think it would cut very easily with a circular saw if you have a new/sharp blade. I suggest using a blade with lots of teeth, such as a plywood blade. If you pre-measure the door before going to Home Depot I think they would cut it for you also.
I used a band saw to round the corners, but a jig saw should work just fine also. The Optix doesn’t crack as easily as Plexiglass, therefore I don’t think you would have any problems cutting the material using the tools stated above. Also, the edges sand very well for a nice clean look.
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Thanks for the info! I believe a new project is in my future. :hihi:
__________________
Kirk, Natalie, 2 Kids & 1 Dog
'14 Ram 2500 4x4 CC w/Cummins
'16 Jayco Eagle 325BHQS
'13 Suntracker PB 22
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04-18-2012, 08:44 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 16
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Da Bud Man, I sent you a private message.
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04-18-2012, 09:54 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, West Michigan
Posts: 1,817
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Nice mods, do you have a photo from the inside of the toilet handle?
__________________
2006 23B Hybrid with 10k round bar WDH
2011 F150 4x4 SCREW Ecoboost, Max Tow, Integrated TBC, 3.73 LS axle, Firestone Ride Rite airbags.
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04-18-2012, 10:13 AM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcfarmall
Nice mods, do you have a photo from the inside of the toilet handle?
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No, but I'll try to post a pic tomorrow.
I drilled a hole the diameter of the threaded piece that has the nut on it (I think it was about 5/8" not sure). It should be a very tight fit. I have a metal flat washer on the back side that goes against the sliding door & the square section of the flush lever. I then tightened the nut, and made adjustments to the rod on the exterior side to make contact with the door handle.
Hope I explained this well enough to understand. Again, I'll try to post a pic tomorrow.
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04-18-2012, 03:19 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Nicholasville, Ky
Posts: 285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lclevel
Da Bud Man, I sent you a private message.
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Thanks for the links!
__________________
Kirk, Natalie, 2 Kids & 1 Dog
'14 Ram 2500 4x4 CC w/Cummins
'16 Jayco Eagle 325BHQS
'13 Suntracker PB 22
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04-18-2012, 04:04 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, West Michigan
Posts: 1,817
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In the picture attached to your original post the toilet handle looks like it sticks straight out from the door....an unintended optical illusion. After studying the picture and your explanation I now understand how it works. The black part is bent at an angle and will contact the screen door when the inside handle is turned. I wish I had seen this about 2 weeks ago! I installed the old grommet and dowel rod lever method.
Thanks for the explanation.
__________________
2006 23B Hybrid with 10k round bar WDH
2011 F150 4x4 SCREW Ecoboost, Max Tow, Integrated TBC, 3.73 LS axle, Firestone Ride Rite airbags.
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04-21-2012, 09:00 AM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Foothills of NC
Posts: 28
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I may use your idea for the bike mount. Very nice.
__________________
Jeff
Foothills of NC
2012 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 309 BHL
2004 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 5.4 Triton
10000lb Equal-i-zer WDH with 4pt sway control
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