Thanks to Jim and all the other brave people that started this much needed modification.
I decided to tackle this mod on our 2018 R23 but changed a few things. I found the straight edge of the door is the side the latch is on. I stripped all the hardware (great tip on removing the latch). I did not want to move the shower head bracket so I decided to cut the door a little off center. I cut it at 9 inches from the straight edge. This also allowed the hinge edge with the Velcro and hinge nuts to just hang off the table saw so it would not interfere with feeding the door while making the cut. I placed 2 inch masking tape on both sides of the door where I plan to cut (again great tip to help prevent chipping at the cut line). Two strips of tape on the saw table protected the door from damage on the aluminum table. I wanted the inside of the door on the bottom as I cut it so if there were any chips they would be less visible percentage wise.
The cut went smooth, no chips. I decided I wanted to keep the inside of the door as smooth as possible since the shower area is quite small and I was worried about receiving body scratches from the protruding hinges while showing. I found some self closing cabinet hinges which do the same as the locking hinges described previously. I felt the 9 inch wide door is about the same weight as a tall cabinet door.
I could not find hinges with a 1/2 inch offset so the smooth part could screw to the inside of the door without countersinking the hinge into the plywood door. I knew I had to modify the hinges to make the door fold out instead of in and chrome hinges don’t like modification (the factory door hinges are silver colored) I chose antique brass because they were closer to the wood color since they will be visible on both sides of the door. I used my press to straighten out the last bend on the hinges (designed for a ⅜ inch thick door) and then my brake shear to re-bend the hinge to fit a ½ inch thick door. Old bend marks will be hidden between door halves and are only slightly visible when the door is folded..
I made a spacer the same thickness as the saw blade and then clamped the door to a covered bench. I installed the hinges and all worked well. I found some matching stain to touch up the cut ends. The next day I found some low density ½ inch wide x ¼ inch peel-and-stick weatherstripping. I cut and placed the weatherstripping on the edge of the larger door half with some ¼ inch staples to help hold it in place. Fold the door and it closed easily and there was no peephole gap.
Reinstall the door and it works great. Latches line up and locks easily. Now I can fold the door open while closed at the head and the heat will easily flow in the head area without further mods. Also while sitting in the small 21 inch by 30 inch (approximate) shower area the door easily clears my knees since it folds away from me as it closes. I can also leave the door folded while open (folds closer together than folding against the shower head bracket) and snap the top center snap to hold the door. This allows for better air flow and some limited visibility into the V birth while still maintaining a privacy screen while using the head.
Just another option to ponder about.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Buildin ... /100665794
R23 the Tug life compact O/B cabin comfort cruiser that transforms into a year round sport fishing machine.
I decided to tackle this mod on our 2018 R23 but changed a few things. I found the straight edge of the door is the side the latch is on. I stripped all the hardware (great tip on removing the latch). I did not want to move the shower head bracket so I decided to cut the door a little off center. I cut it at 9 inches from the straight edge. This also allowed the hinge edge with the Velcro and hinge nuts to just hang off the table saw so it would not interfere with feeding the door while making the cut. I placed 2 inch masking tape on both sides of the door where I plan to cut (again great tip to help prevent chipping at the cut line). Two strips of tape on the saw table protected the door from damage on the aluminum table. I wanted the inside of the door on the bottom as I cut it so if there were any chips they would be less visible percentage wise.
The cut went smooth, no chips. I decided I wanted to keep the inside of the door as smooth as possible since the shower area is quite small and I was worried about receiving body scratches from the protruding hinges while showing. I found some self closing cabinet hinges which do the same as the locking hinges described previously. I felt the 9 inch wide door is about the same weight as a tall cabinet door.
I could not find hinges with a 1/2 inch offset so the smooth part could screw to the inside of the door without countersinking the hinge into the plywood door. I knew I had to modify the hinges to make the door fold out instead of in and chrome hinges don’t like modification (the factory door hinges are silver colored) I chose antique brass because they were closer to the wood color since they will be visible on both sides of the door. I used my press to straighten out the last bend on the hinges (designed for a ⅜ inch thick door) and then my brake shear to re-bend the hinge to fit a ½ inch thick door. Old bend marks will be hidden between door halves and are only slightly visible when the door is folded..
I made a spacer the same thickness as the saw blade and then clamped the door to a covered bench. I installed the hinges and all worked well. I found some matching stain to touch up the cut ends. The next day I found some low density ½ inch wide x ¼ inch peel-and-stick weatherstripping. I cut and placed the weatherstripping on the edge of the larger door half with some ¼ inch staples to help hold it in place. Fold the door and it closed easily and there was no peephole gap.
Reinstall the door and it works great. Latches line up and locks easily. Now I can fold the door open while closed at the head and the heat will easily flow in the head area without further mods. Also while sitting in the small 21 inch by 30 inch (approximate) shower area the door easily clears my knees since it folds away from me as it closes. I can also leave the door folded while open (folds closer together than folding against the shower head bracket) and snap the top center snap to hold the door. This allows for better air flow and some limited visibility into the V birth while still maintaining a privacy screen while using the head.
Just another option to ponder about.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Buildin ... /100665794
R23 the Tug life compact O/B cabin comfort cruiser that transforms into a year round sport fishing machine.