mhawk4

South Carolina

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I also installed a latch on the screen door after we got the trailer, on our first trip our now 3 years old pushed the screen door and fell head first on the pavement. We were so upset about what happened, the next day i bought the latch and installed it; is been close to 2 years, and we still make sure everyone knows when the kid is inside the latch stays on lock position. (i think we'll stop telling people when he turns 41)
To the OP, i think i am going with Plexiglas. I have a few other mods i will be working during winter break and need to stay under budget. i am planning on changing thermostats, building a slide out extension for the dinette table and a drop leaf extension for one side of the sink.
i think these will keep me busy until we go out camping again.
Hey Turk2500, did you cut the plexi to fit around the hinges or the velcro created enough clearance between door and plexiglas.
thanks for the help
2002 Ford Excursion XLT 6.8L,V10 3.73(TB2)
1999 Chevy Suburban 5.7L,V8 3.73 (BUDDY)
2008 Jayco G2, 27BH (MHAWK)
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TURK2500

USA

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mhawk4 wrote: snip.....did you cut the plexi to fit around the hinges or the velcro created enough clearance between door and plexiglas...snip
In my mod, the plexi was cut to fit around the screen door hinges. But yes, the commercial velcro that I used may have allowed for clearance over the hinges.
Check your clearance between the screen door hinge and the outer door with the screen door latched to the outer door.
Turk2500
05 Jayco Eagle, 278FBS, UVW 7,063lbs, GVWR 9,000lbs.
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TV/TT loaded: 14,700lbs.
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gheicher

Pennsylvania

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Lexan (polycarbonate)is used for bulletproof "glass" and is extremely strong. Almost impossible to break by bending, and you can cut it with a standard combination blade electric saw. Downside is that if exposed to continual sunlight (ultraviolet rays) it may become a bit cloudy or slightly yellow. My friend has had Lexan on the north side of her screen room for several years and it is has remained clear. Plexiglass is very clear, inexpensive, but brittle and difficult to cut. My preference would be Lexan since it is stronger and easier to work with. If it discolors a bit, it still lets light in and that would be my main concern.
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dodge guy

Bartlett IL

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So I take it the best way to attach it is to screw it to the frame? I`ve been wanting to do this for awhile, but I want to make it easily removeable so I can remove/insatll it a couple of times in a weekend. you know windows open or closed.
Wife Kim 
Son Brandon 8yrs
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Bucky Badger

Madison, WI

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dodge guy wrote: So I take it the best way to attach it is to screw it to the frame? I`ve been wanting to do this for awhile, but I want to make it easily removeable so I can remove/insatll it a couple of times in a weekend. you know windows open or closed.
Velcro is the neatest and easiest way. Looks way cleaner than the clips people use.
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willald

NC

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Bucky Badger wrote: dodge guy wrote: So I take it the best way to attach it is to screw it to the frame? I`ve been wanting to do this for awhile, but I want to make it easily removeable so I can remove/insatll it a couple of times in a weekend. you know windows open or closed.
Velcro is the neatest and easiest way. Looks way cleaner than the clips people use.
..But velcro also does not last, as many will tell you that took this approach and later on wished they had not. The adhesive on the back of that velcro eventually wears out.
Clips OTOH, will last forever basically. Very easy to remove/install the plexiglas also. Just rotate all the clips to the side, plexiglas comes right out.
Dodge_guy: Somewhere, I have some pictures of our installation, with the clips. I'll try to dig them up later this evening, get them posted here so you can see how it looks/works.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
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Bucky Badger

Madison, WI

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willald wrote: Bucky Badger wrote: dodge guy wrote: So I take it the best way to attach it is to screw it to the frame? I`ve been wanting to do this for awhile, but I want to make it easily removeable so I can remove/insatll it a couple of times in a weekend. you know windows open or closed.
Velcro is the neatest and easiest way. Looks way cleaner than the clips people use.
..But velcro also does not last, as many will tell you that took this approach and later on wished they had not. The adhesive on the back of that velcro eventually wears out.
Clips OTOH, will last forever basically. Very easy to remove/install the plexiglas also. Just rotate all the clips to the side, plexiglas comes right out.
Dodge_guy: Somewhere, I have some pictures of our installation, with the clips. I'll try to dig them up later this evening, get them posted here so you can see how it looks/works.
I have 2 full seasons and my velcro is fine...I wouldn't mind if I had to replace the velcro every 3 years....Still looks better than the clips.
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TURK2500

USA

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willald wrote: snip.....But velcro also does not last, as many will tell you that took this approach and later on wished they had not. The adhesive on the back of that velcro eventually wears out....snip
Never had any issuies with my Velcro installation, and going on four years. Curious where you found that "many" regretted using Velcro.
IMO, Velcro or screwed tabs both will do a great job, just one's preference.
Turk2500
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2halfs

CA.

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As a thought when you decide to do this project. Check in your area for a store that deals with these plastic's...We have one here called "TAPS". They sell all kinds of plastics, tubes, boxes, windows, baseball cases, ball cases, etc... We took our screen door off and took it in. The gentleman listen to what we wanted, what we were doing. asked us a couple question, gave us some suggestion. Came back in less then 10 minutes with the panels cut for our screen door. We bought one extra piece to go on the bottom inside as I have a small dog who likes to paw. I bought the one extra piece so when our came up all scratched from the dog then we would be prepared and just be able to swap out. Well that was three years ago. We are still storing the extra piece.
Getting the three pieces cut (one extra) cost us a whole $25.00.
This method was so eay and fits our screen perfectly.
One other point is to remember as you are doing this, you will be at times when you want the panels on and other times you want to take them off to allow for air flow. So you need to look at how to fasten them on. Make it easy for yourself.
Please share with us what you do.
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JBarca

Dublin, Ohio, USA

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Hi Fellow Door Panel Campers....
See this post, 4 pages worth and mine is in there too with more pics.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseac........d/tid/22665852/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm

The first one I did in the pic above was made from Plexiglass, about $50 of material. I cracked one section flexing it getting it on while fitting it . Had enough to make another and it works OK. However on this new TT I will use Lexan as I could not find it before. Home Depot now has it, about $65 to $70 a sheet when I bought it. Like 24" inches by 70" ish. It's still in the shed ready to be cut and fit. Have not made it to it yet.
Mine uses clips. Can take upper or lower panel on or off. However you do this, it is a great mod.
Hope this helps
John
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
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