MOD Outdoor Kitchen Door to Open Parallel

[RV-Newbie-101]

Hi all,

We have put a deck down beside our 32 bdhs trailer. The deck is raised off the ground about 12 inches. The Outdoor kitchen is still useable, but the deck height makes the outdoor kitchen door too low. Has anyone ever modified the door so that it opens vertically (parallel to the side of the trailer) rather than swinging up 90 degrees? I have uploaded an image or a similar door opening system for a normal house kitchen, just to give everyone an idea of what I am after.

Cheers!

[Marcm157]

I think if it were me I would look at getting longer and stronger struts and relocating them so the door opens further. To modify the door to open as you show would require some serious changes and some framework. It's how underloader doors work on motorcoaches.

[jyh818]

You can try eliminating the gas struts that holds the door at 90 degrees and install magnetic catches that will hold it in the upright position like the image below for storage compartment doors. You can easily install magnetic catches like these.

https://a.co/d/6rMQK3q

[RV-Newbie-101]

Thanks for the ideas. Regarding longer struts, unfortunately, that will not work. The top of the door by the hinges would still be too low and would be at risk of someone running into it.

The magnets idea is interesting, but the door weighs about 30 lbs. Not sure it would hold, and it slamming down from 180 degrees on a child's head is too big of a risk.

Perhaps there is a quick-release mechanism for the door hinges where I could just take the door off when not in use.

[JohnWedell]

You could use the magnets is a primary way to hold the door open and then put two brass rings or hooks 2/3 of the way up on each side of the door on the trailer and a bungee across it as a secondary safety.

[jyh818]

Originally Posted by RV-Newbie-101

The magnets idea is interesting, but the door weighs about 30 lbs. Not sure it would hold, and it slamming down from 180 degrees on a child's head is too big of a risk.

Perhaps there is a quick-release mechanism for the door hinges where I could just take the door off when not in use.

Although the door weighs 30 lbs., in the up position, the hinge supports the weight, not the magnets. The magnets only hold the lateral force when in the upright position. You could install gas struts long enough to be in the up position in addition to the magnets so it doesn't slam on the way down.

[Bugzilla46310]

K & J magnets has some crazy strong magnets in a variety of configurations. Bought from them several times. Last time some small magnets to keep both sides of the water heater door close to the rv when closed. Tin door had a slight “warp”. Worked like a charm.

https://www.kjmagnetics.com/