Screen Door Mod & Bike Rack

[lclevel1]

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.

 

[buckeyejim-JAY]

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

 

[lclevel1]

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.

 

[Cbaka27]

Do you leave the plexiglass in place while in transit or do you have to take it down?

 

[Rustic Eagle]

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

 

[lclevel1]

Do you leave the plexiglass in place while in transit or do you have to take it down?

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.

 

[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!

 

[lclevel1]

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!

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.

 

[Cbaka27]

Did you fab the bike rack or was it something you purchased. If so do you have a link?

 

[user_name]

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.

I really like this mod! Did the Optix come precut or did you have to cut to fit?

 

[lclevel1]

Did you fab the bike rack or was it something you purchased. If so do you have a link?

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!

 

[lclevel1]

I really like this mod! Did the Optix come precut or did you have to cut to fit?

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.

 

[user_name]

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.

Thanks for the info! I believe a new project is in my future. :hihi:

 

[lclevel1]

Da Bud Man, I sent you a private message.

 

[mcfarmall]

Nice mods, do you have a photo from the inside of the toilet handle?

 

[lclevel1]

Nice mods, do you have a photo from the inside of the toilet handle?

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.

 

[user_name]

Da Bud Man, I sent you a private message.

Thanks for the links!

 

[mcfarmall]

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.

 

[lunatech-JAY]

I may use your idea for the bike mount. Very nice.