Parallel bus hinges

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Parallel bus hinges

November 09, 2018, 05:01:00 am

I looked in the archives and didn't see what I needed, so I thought I would ask.

I have hated the top hinge storage doors on the basement of our coach since we got it. Being fairly tall, and less limber all the time, it is a pain to have to crouch over to get into any of the bays. As a result, I am looking to make some bus style hinges for at least a few of the bays.

Foretravel says they are no longer available, so I am looking to create my own. When I get the shop up and running that will be one of the first projects.

What I was hoping was if someone who had them on their coach could shoot some pictures and give me some measurements to save me the "engineering".

Thanks in advance for your help.

Len

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #1 – November 09, 2018, 06:11:19 am

Was surfing the net yesterday and found some parts foretravels under Foretravel parts,some had those doors.

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #2 – November 09, 2018, 09:07:40 am

I have also been wanting to put bus style hinges on mine too. I found this thread a while back on IRV2 site and These hinges look like they would work great. I have not found a part number for them yet But looking at the mounting etc I think these would fit the bill.
Let me know if you find a part number and availability I'b be interested in a set to try.
American Coach Eagle owners / Storage bay Pantograph mechanisms - iRV2 Forums

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #3 – November 09, 2018, 09:37:05 am

Looks (to me) like the position of the complex pantograph hinge mechanism would interfere with the existing door latching rods.

Also looks like a lot of work (and probably expense) to do the swap (but keep in mind I'm a lazy old fart).

I'll just keep stooping over and ducking my head...as long as possible.

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #4 – November 09, 2018, 09:46:27 am

Quote

I have hated the top hinge storage doors on the basement of our coach since we got it.

I'm watching this thread for sure. Those doors are what I miss most about our old 320. Conversion would be a great upgrade.
jor

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #5 – November 09, 2018, 10:17:35 am

How about the coach at MOT that had a fridge fire? Are they going to part it out? May get what you need from there....

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #6 – November 09, 2018, 11:00:09 am

Also contact Extreme as they had some bay doors at storage heap a few years ago when I was there.
JohnH

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #7 – November 09, 2018, 03:53:57 pm

The bay doors are the only thing I don't like about my 96.... 270. I will be watching closely and would pay good money to have bus type bay doors. Despise trying to walk bent over.

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #8 – November 09, 2018, 04:07:01 pm

Thanks for all the replies. I have checked into "used" hinges and they were outrageous prices. Once I get a set designed and put into place to test, I should be able to use the same tooling to produce more fairly easily. I will be happy to share the results of that with anyone who would like it.

I still need to see if I can get pix and measurements to get started with, so if anyone has the ability to help there, it would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Len

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #9 – November 09, 2018, 04:23:03 pm

I'm in.

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #10 – November 09, 2018, 04:26:38 pm

If memory serves I think Bill Chapin had doors converted, maybe he can add.

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #11 – November 09, 2018, 06:00:22 pm

Quote from: Dub – November 09, 2018, 03:53:57 pm

The bay doors are the only thing I don't like about my 96.... 270. I will be watching closely and would pay good money to have bus type bay doors. Despise trying to walk bent over.

Not to mention coming up too fast and meeting the door with my head- ouch

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #12 – November 09, 2018, 06:29:11 pm

Len,

If you are still in the East Texas area you could swing by our place and do all the measuring yourself off our doors. There will be a load of measurements that you will need to take that may be better done in person. We can't post pics. at this time due to dead camera.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #13 – November 09, 2018, 06:45:37 pm

Coach that burnt at MOT is no longer there

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #14 – November 09, 2018, 07:06:32 pm

Len, be sure to get your hands on all the nuts, bolts, washers and locking studs because there's a whole bunch of them. Good luck on your project.

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #15 – November 09, 2018, 07:55:18 pm

Quote from: Dub – November 09, 2018, 04:26:38 pm

If memory serves I think Bill Chapin had doors converted, maybe he can add.

Dub,

I've seen them closeup and they work great. Not sure how many he had done. Hope he chimes in.

I would love to have them but it's an expensive mod unless a DIY project!

Jerry

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #16 – November 09, 2018, 09:11:52 pm

I have this very same project on my list as well and have been saving photos off to a folder for a while. I think the generic name for them is Pantograph Hinge. No one seems to make a stand alone version that you can buy.

These are just various photos and not from just one coach. I don't know if Foretravel's design has changed over the years but it looks like a pretty involved project. I noticed the fuel tank is notched to make room the links and I know for my utility bay the 12 volt electrical panel (with the white cover) would need to be moved. Another thing to consider is how the attachment to the bay doors will work. There is typically steel plates under the inside skin where fasteners are located and they won't be in the right place on older hinge doors.

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #17 – November 09, 2018, 09:21:00 pm

Reply #18 – November 09, 2018, 09:53:25 pm

John,
Thanks for the pix---this helps a lot. I would still like to get some measurements (and I would love to get my hands on some FT drawings).

I am really only looking at three doors on our coach. I am wanting the main bay on each side, and the wet bay with sewer hookups. I really think those would be the ones that would be the most helpful.

This is a long term project, but I will keep ya'll posted.

Thanks,
Len

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #19 – November 09, 2018, 10:35:42 pm

John,

Thanks for the detailed pics. Bill told me he paid too much but he is very proud of them. Those doors were the first thing on his coach he showed me when he visited us. His Grand Villa is the only one I know of with pantograph bay doors!

Jerry

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #20 – November 10, 2018, 07:08:21 am

What if you took this vertical lift design idea from a cabinet door hinge and enlarged it to support the cargo bay door. Everything could be adjusted in and out ,up and down to accommodate about any door. The Hinge has all the support load from the shock contained to the hinge itself. Which in my opinion would be good to keep the fragile fiberglass from cracking. The mounting position of the assembly would also keep the original latch assembly free to work as originally designed.
I am thinking if you used the same adhesion that you are using on the rooftop solar panels along with screws/bolts I would think it would support the door just fine. I am just throwing this out there my mind goes into overthinking mode a lot. You guys please chime in
Hanging Cabinet Door Vertical Swing Lift up Stay Pneumatic Kitchen Mechanism...

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Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #21 – November 10, 2018, 10:16:08 am

The IH45 and I'll bet the IC37 have doors hinged on one of the vertical edges or a pantograph system to open the doors out and sideways. Good if you have slides or run your head into the top hinged doors almost every time. If you have a slide you just get to run your head into the very solid bottom of the slide with the sideways doors.

The vertical pantograph door mechanism arms take up some space inside and the door latch engages when the door is up to lock it in the up position.

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #22 – November 10, 2018, 10:50:33 am

Quote from: stump – November 10, 2018, 07:08:21 am

What if you took this vertical lift design idea from a cabinet door hinge and enlarged it to support the cargo bay door. Everything could be adjusted in and out ,up and down to accommodate about any door. The Hinge has all the support load from the shock contained to the hinge itself. Which in my opinion would be good to keep the fragile fiberglass from cracking. The mounting position of the assembly would also keep the original latch assembly free to work as originally designed.
I am thinking if you used the same adhesion that you are using on the rooftop solar panels along with screws/bolts I would think it would support the door just fine. I am just throwing this out there my mind goes into overthinking mode a lot. You guys please chime in
Hanging Cabinet Door Vertical Swing Lift up Stay Pneumatic Kitchen Mechanism...

Stump, the design would have to be modified, not just enlarged. The gas strut needed for the weight of a bay door probably doesn't exist. From the fulcrum to the strut looks like a ratio of over 10 to 1 it would need a 750 lb. lifting capacity strut for a 75 lb. door. But redesigning it would be easier than building one from scratch. Maybe have it latch to carry the weight when open as the factory ones do.

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Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #23 – November 10, 2018, 05:59:34 pm

I'm on the HATE the swing up doors, or scalpers as I refer to them. Every time I open a door I except the fact that I will be per-occupied with something and forget to bow and retreat from under the door, thus a scalping.
I'm always thinking about some other way to open those doors.
A couple of thoughts I had, other than selling the coach especially after a scalping, was a door that hinged sideways or a door that hinged straight up, just like it does now, but goes up and flush to the side of the coach so it is not hanging over your head like a Indian with a knife.

Re: Parallel bus hinges

Reply #24 – November 10, 2018, 06:16:15 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – November 10, 2018, 10:16:08 am

The IH45 and I'll bet the IC37 have doors hinged on one of the vertical edges or a pantograph system to open the doors out and sideways. Good if you have slides or run your head into the top hinged doors almost every time. If you have a slide you just get to run your head into the very solid bottom of the slide with the sideways doors.

My IH-45 has doors that come out and move to the side. In looking at the pictures of the new IH45 & IC 37 it looks like the door is just hinged on the side with a piano hinge.

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