benrogers
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Post by benrogers on Jul 21, 2014 10:55:25 GMT -8
We have a 66 Shasta that has roughly a 1 inch gap around two sides of the screen door. We'll be using this camper for fly fishing that involves being in some pretty buggy areas and really don't want it to become and insect-oporium. Any one have any thoughts on replacement doors or the best place to start? I know the door is torqued and it appears the hinges have either been replaced or just beaten up.
Any thoughts appreciated,
Ben
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Post by vikx on Jul 21, 2014 21:18:02 GMT -8
Hi Ben,
Pictures would help us help you. Thanks.
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benrogers
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Post by benrogers on Jul 22, 2014 6:59:46 GMT -8
No problem vikx. I'll try to get some tonight of it!
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benrogers
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Post by benrogers on Aug 14, 2014 17:19:42 GMT -8
Okay, so finally caught up in life and have started working on the trailer. Here is a picture of the issue with the screen door. Any thoughts?
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Post by vikx on Aug 14, 2014 20:41:50 GMT -8
Wow, serious bug highway...
It almost looks as if this isn't the original screen door. I would look for a larger one thru vintage parts sellers.
A temporary fix might be one of the screens that Velcro in place. They make them in any size (or you can make your own). You could actually keep this screen door and use the Velcro screen as a backup. Another option: build another door.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 15, 2014 8:14:32 GMT -8
The original screen door on a 66 was hinged as part of the door hinge I think. The pictures look like has a separate hinge. If the door frame is straight and square I might consider adding wooden trim strips along the edges fastened to the inside of the door, something small like screen retaining strips might work it is hard to tell from the picture. You could also add stop strips to the frame but if memory serves me right the opening is only 19 inches wide now so you might not want to narrow it any. You could also use 1/4 inch plywood cut wide enough to face the inside surface of the door frame all the way around, that would be more durable most likely, then paint or stain to your liking. These are ideas if you don't want to build a new screen door as suggested above.
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benrogers
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Post by benrogers on Aug 15, 2014 12:22:41 GMT -8
It is on separate hinges that appears to be home made. Do you guys have any suggestions or links to building a new screen door?
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Post by bigbill on Aug 15, 2014 18:42:37 GMT -8
I think mobiltec had something on one of his web pages. They are very simple to build the only thing is if you have hinges like I think you do they will have to be recessed into the door to allow it to set closer to the hinge side. The door you have could be rebuilt if it is solid all you would need to do is recess the hinges then measure the gap on the latch side and add a board there to get to the proper width then the same at top and bottom if needed. That is if you now have a wooden screen door, if you have an aluminum door just take it off and build a wood door just like it to the proper size. You could also build a new alum door but wood is much easier for most people to work with.
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benrogers
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Post by benrogers on Aug 18, 2014 6:18:03 GMT -8
Well I've now found that the door casing is rotted. Looks like 1x4. I think while Beth is painting the interior Labor Day Weekend I'm going to take it out and put in pressure treat. I did find that the hinges are the originals. Just not sure why the screen door is so small and warped.
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benrogers
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Post by benrogers on Aug 18, 2014 7:51:39 GMT -8
Was there some sort of stop that was in there for the screen door when it came from the manufacturer?
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Post by bigbill on Aug 19, 2014 4:41:37 GMT -8
Well I've now found that the door casing is rotted. Looks like 1x4. I think while Beth is painting the interior Labor Day Weekend I'm going to take it out and put in pressure treat. I did find that the hinges are the originals. Just not sure why the screen door is so small and warped. If you have rot on the door frame you should check your sill boards around the bottom of the trailer they most likely need replaced also. Some types of pressure treated wood cause problems with the alum, regular untreated wood lasted a long time, i believe that is what I would put back. Some trailers had a stop some did not, for the screen. Is your screen door wood or aluminum? Is the screen hinge part of the main door hinge?
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benrogers
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Post by benrogers on Aug 19, 2014 5:09:45 GMT -8
It is aluminum and is on the same hinge pin as the main door. Right now we are just trying to get two years out of the trailer before we rebuild it. It looks like the wood frame around the door was actually made for a house as it's got splines in it (joints). I'll use a solid piece of pine to replace the sides and top. Floor looks just fine other than screw holes and holes where furnace and other parts may have gone through. Those have been siliconed! I know, its wrong, but it's the floor which I know for a fact I'll be replacing in a few years.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 19, 2014 6:55:47 GMT -8
Once you get the door frame repaired so that the exterior door fits and open and closes properly then you will know how the screen door fits. Then you can figure out if it is two small for the opening and if so why. If it is the original is it bent, has the sides been pulled in by a screen replacement, or what the problem is The door opening is most likely just 19 inches wide. so if you are little enough that some wooden stops could be added and you still get in and out of the door OK that would seal it up till you rebuild in a year or two. it all depends on what you want to do. It sounds like you are just wanting to make simple patches to get by until you can do a total rebuild.
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benrogers
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Post by benrogers on Aug 20, 2014 12:25:06 GMT -8
bigbill,
That's exactly right. We are trying to make it functional so we can decide whether it's worth a full restore, 'restore to meet our needs' or build a big teardrop out of the frame.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 20, 2014 16:41:40 GMT -8
My thoughts is if you can use it awhile then you can decide what you want. Over a period of fifty years we have camped in everything from a station wagon to about anything you can think of. Currently we are rebuilding a Shasta 1500 to suit us it will not be close to original at all, but it will have all the things that we require to exist comfortably. So what I am saying is use it, figure out what would make it more to your liking then rebuild it to suite you, it is yours. If it was a priceless antique then I would restore it its original beauty then sell it for big bucks and buy one to build to suit me. Just make sure that it is safe to tow and use now.
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