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Topic: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ? (Read 1374 times) previous topic - next topic

Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Has anyone here had their "garage door" engine access changed to the "swinging door" type ? The mod is shown on the Xtreme web site and was wondering if it's wothe doing. I have trouble lifting my engine access.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #1 –
I think Dave M did.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #2 –
A couple have had it done and Dave M is one of them. Do the air springs need replacing or is it a mobility problem?
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #3 –
The change I had made was not to the dual gate type shown in the Xtreme ad, but a hinged up that is very simple, easy to use, no dangerous operation, Barry & Cindy have the exact same as mine, the dual gate type has little desire for me. When I get to other computer I will be able to show the pix of mine.  Everyone that has seen it, thinks it is the best choice, talk to Rance at Xtreme, he seems to prefer the one I have over the dual gate type.  Guess it is just an opinon.

Found it doing search.

http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13966.0;attach=5772;image

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #4 –
John, Dave, thanks for the information.

The lift problem is probably a combination of the two, old shoulders/hands & tired air springs.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #5 –
How do I know if my air springs need replacing. ?
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: toyman –
Has anyone here had their "garage door" engine access changed to the "swinging door" type ? The mod is shown on the Xtreme web site and was wondering if it's wothe doing. I have trouble lifting my engine access.
Yes,
I wish that I had the same modification on our "new" coach and that particular modification will be one of our first "whenever we can get to it"  -- that and the Peninsular/Motion Windows.
My (initial) motivation, on the U270, was twofold:
1.  I wanted to get rid of the "Strut Creep" problem in the fiberglass in the engine bay door:
    • One can see the the frame induced bulges in the attached photo.
    • The struts are so strong in the "door closed position" that they caused the fiberglass to deform (creep) on the exterior of the door.  As far as I know, only a few of the 1998's had this problem, so it more than likely had to do with precisely how the panels were "hand laid up", how well they were sealed against water intrusion on the inside of the door (where the door structure/frame pads are glassed into the interior surface) and whether or not a coach was exposed to salt/chloride conditions (rust bulging/jacking).
    • James said that he could remove the offending causes and reinforce the exterior, but once there, it would likely reappear.  So I wanted to do away with the frame.
2.  I also wanted to remove the ladder:
    • After rebuilding my roof access ladder, I was alarmed at how many damaged and marginal pieces I found, and therefore, how unsafe the ladder had become.  At my weight of 200 lbs., it was always "creaky", but I just didn't realize how unsafe it had become, until I rebuilt it.  I have always found the "Little Giant", that we carry, more reassuring and safe to use.
    • With the trailer, I wanted the additional clearance and less worry when backing to the "ladder side."  The 12" extension (10K solid bar) hitch receiver insert, still doesn't give much turning "forgiveness."
    • I wanted to have the much cleaner appearance that removing the ladder affords.
I have posted several times regarding the engine bay door modification.  Here is just one that also has a link to a file of PICASA pictures:
What you can learn in meeting other Foretravel owners

There are also several pictures on the Extreme Paint and Graphics web site:
Xtreme Paint & Graphics Home

When I was deciding whether to have two vertically hinged access doors or a single horizontally hinged door with struts, it became an easy choice once I saw James' (now Keith and Joyce's) coach.  I am prone to finding (with the top of my bald head)  anything sharp that is less than six feet off the ground.  I have the scars to prove it.  The overhead, horizontally hinged, door has sharp stuff, starting at about the 5'6" to 5'8" off the ground.  Unlike the original bay door with a smooth, safe, lower edge, the horizontally hinged door has sharpies.  For me, that's the perfect height to forget about it until I find it inadvertently (over and over again).  I also didn't want to lay a trap for others six feet or more tall, similarly afflicted with my malady, whether for resale or for just good service personnel relations reasons.
 
In the spirit of full disclosure though, while the two door arrangement is seldom a concern regarding "door(s) being in the way", the two doors have the distinctly annoying habit of  brushing their "now unhidden" "diesel dirt" off on clean clothing.  The doors may be within my line of sight, unlike the overhead sharpies, but I still get into trouble with the DW over carelessness and failure to wear my "coach-work" coveralls.
There is also a great deal more craftsmanship and labor in building the two doors, as opposed to  building the single one.  Because Xtreme had not built their first horizontally hinged door yet, and the price was the same, it made the "Prevost Style Doors" choice more clear for me.  For me, both options are vast improvements over the original.  Doesn't have to be for everyone, though.
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #8 –
Interesting that Xtreme does not show the Dual Gate type engine door in their ad, however now show the vertical hinged model like Rance did for Barry & Cindy and my coach.
Wonder why the change.
Xtreme Paint & Graphics Home

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Dave M –
Interesting that Xtreme does not show the Dual Gate type engine door in their ad, however now show the vertical hinged model like Rance did for Barry & Cindy and my coach.
Wonder why the change.
Xtreme Paint & Graphics Home

Profit margin.  Advertise the money maker. It was the same price, for either, at least when I had mine done.  But much more craftsmanship and time for the vertically hinged, Prevost style double doors.  That was part of the appeal for me. More craftsmanship and the modification was ultimately more evident, but the price was the same
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #10 –
I do all my own wrenching and used to be a mechanic. I think the original rear door provides the best access. I'm a function over form guy, though.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #11 –
Heavy rear original doors have been known to fall hitting the person hanging into the engine compartment right in the middle of the back.  Safety clips around the side posts are recommended to prevent accidental closing.

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #12 –
How do the doors fail? Is it structurally?

When the original design door is in the fill open position, the hinge goes over-center and locks. It must be lifted to be closed.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #13 –

I can see, in my case, not being able to reach high enough with the load to get it fully in locked position.

Edit....wonder about replacing one of the air cyl with a linear actuator ?
Amazon.com: 8 Inch 8" Stroke Linear Actuator 12 Volt 12V 225 Pounds lbs...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #14 –
Some coaches have their rear door go over center a lot and some have them go over center very little.

Could a strong wind cause the door to be pushed back?

Some Forum members have had their rear door fall on them, so it does happen 

Many have fashioned something to keep door 'locked' open.  For many years we had a carabineer that hooked around the flat steel and the round post it was supposed to be pressed against when door is in up position.  But we now have a much improved fool proof method to prevent the heavy door from accidently closing, so we had a retirement party for our carabineers.

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #15 –
I have James' old coach.  It has all Xtreme's conversions on it.  Here is a pic of the door conversion.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Change "Garage Door" Engine Access ?

Reply #16 –
I like that conversion  , very nice
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620