Access Panel Doors

[Curious Slug]

Has anyone created any decent door/hatch to access any areas of storage in their bus?

I've got a bunch of plumbing stuff that I want to access from the outside - pump, accumulator tank, strainer, shut off etc. I've got a plywood box that I'm going to mount inside just under the water inlet, then I'm planning on cutting out a hatch on the outside so I can get to both at the same time.

Basic plan is to cut out a square in the exterior skin, add in a piano hinge and some weatherstripping/seal (I'm looking at the kind you'd use on the bottom of a shower enclosure door), adding a lock and re-mounting.

It might look crappy but it will probably get the job done. Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[Curious Slug]

No one wants to show off a little?

 

[PNW_Steve]

Take a look at Sojourner's build thread.

He built some awesome storage with exteriorl doors.

 

[Curious Slug]

Take a look at Sojourner's build thread.

He built some awesome storage with exteriorl doors.

Wow, that is very nice work. For anyone that's curious, it all kicks off on page 38 - http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/sojourner-8810-38.html

I might try a less professional approach, but I appreciate the link.

 

[Mark_In_MA]

Wow, that is some amazing fab work.


How big of an access area do you need?
I feel like I've seen a bunch of people buy pre-made access panels from RV salvage yards, where they just had to cut the hole for the whole assembly.

 

[Jameson-SKO]

Bulkhead hatches and access panels for boats give a nice finished look. Amazon has them in many sizes. Or you can simply leave it difficult to access, I left some of my utilities and valves in places that are a bit of a pain to get to and only known by me. Living and travelling for 3 months now and don't regret having to take a knee to connect city water.

 

[Curious Slug]

I did see some during our last trip to the salvage yard, but didn’t have the foresight to rip them out. It’s a long drive to our ‘local’ yard, and fairly slim pickings whilst there.

I just picked out a marine hatch from Amazon, it cost $60. Thanks for the tip. I don’t know why I didn’t check marine stuff on Amazon. That website has basically kitted out this bus. I’m considering taking Alexa along with us, by means of a thank you.

 

[T-Bolt]

Not sure what size you are looking for but search plumbing access panels. You can get them in steel with lots of size options. Might require some tweaking to seal them but Lee's work than fabricating. They also come with keyed locks.

Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing:


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Acudor-...l-or-Ceiling-Access-Door-Z92424SCWH/202080814