Pass-thru storage -- Bigger doors?

[joefrog]

We bought a new-to-us 2011 Grey Wolf 28BH a few weeks back. Took it on a test run to an area state park and it was great. My only real complaint is that it does not have a full pass-thru storage on the front. It only opens on one side, the water heater is on the other side.

Just last week we took it on a week-long beach trip to Topsail Hill State Park in Florida. When we pulled in, we were surprised to see right next to us the same camper and even the same TOW VEHICLE. A bit creepy if they had the same kind of dog!

The difference was plain inside the campers -- their model number was a 29BH, and they had quite a few nice extras ours did not have. External kitchen, electric jack and awning, different bunk layout, etc.

Now to my question -- their camper had larger storage doors on the exterior. A decent bit bigger, in fact. Is there a place we can order these larger doors for the storage area? How hard are they to install?

Thanks all,
Joel

[joefrog]

Thanks all, I appreciate the advice and input!

[DiskDoctr]

joefrog wrote:
Is there a place we can order these larger doors for the storage area? How hard are they to install?

I bought a cargo door on ebay to add to the front of our HTT. We have narrow doors on each end of the full pass through, but want to put a few larger items in that will fit the interior, but not the doors- and to better reach the middle of the compartment where things get 'lost' out of arm's reach.

I was planning to use a router to cut the hole, then use fasteners and butyl tape. Would be interested if anyone has pics or a writeup for installing.

You have to know the exact size you want. I think it was something like $30 or so. Just be careful of shipping of some of the oversized doors.

[CincyGus]

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
There may be some sort of difference in the wall construction between the two units as well. The fact that they have a larger door doesn't mean yours wouldn't require a significant amount of reconstruction to make it work. As others have suggested, I would not seek to cut into the side of a trailer to make a door opening larger.

I would be surprised if the framing on your side wall didn't include a horizontal stud right across the top of your storage door opening that the door is hinged to. Would seem pretty lame to hang a door that gets opened and closed that much without some type of structure to mount it to.

that said, if your going to consider it, I would be using a stud finder to see if I could determine where the cross studs are or better yet, calling the manufacture and asking them for measurements on where they are before I cut anything.

I nice upgrade could turn out to be a real what was I thinking without checking it out and planning this very carefully.

Good Luck.

[Mickeyfan0805]

There may be some sort of difference in the wall construction between the two units as well. The fact that they have a larger door doesn't mean yours wouldn't require a significant amount of reconstruction to make it work. As others have suggested, I would not seek to cut into the side of a trailer to make a door opening larger.

[Bob_Landry]

RV Doors are available in custom sizes at custom prices. The trailer manufacturers are not going to buy high dollar doors. The largest door they can get that fits the designed opening is what you get.

[beemerphile1]

Do an net search for "RV baggage doors". They are available in different sizes, materials, and designs. Of course you will have to remove the existing door, check for obstructions, cut the hole bigger, frame around the new hole, and install your new baggage door.

[the_bear_II]

The storage doors are usually supplied by a manufacturer the RV company buys from. The doors come in standard sizes so it may be difficult to get a door that is large but not larger than your existing storage compartment opening. There are some structural, electrical, paint and plumbing issues to worry about if you go to a larger door.

A 29BH is 33 feet long and yours is 31 feet long...those extra 2 feet provided additional space for storage, and floorplan adjustments, so the doors were larger. The extras (External kitchen, electric jack and awning) may be options that can be added when ordered from the factory.

You'll get used to the storage you have.

Keep in mind most RV'ers go through 3 RVs before they find one that fits their lifestyle. You'll probbaly upgrade to larger within the next 5 years.

[krsmitty]

I would assume the doors could be no larger than opening cut into the RV itself? Unless I am missing something, buying bigger doors would not work.(?)