Add a 2nd Garage Door

[Peter Clark]

Cannot find any information online about adding a garage door.

Found a promising vehicle to buy, has a large rear garage, but a door on only one side.

Are there any companies out there who are known to offer this as a service.

NB: I imagine that a campervan converting company, used to installing pop-up beds, could do it - but a company who does it regularly would probably be cheaper.

 

[Peter Clark]

I opted for the full size 2nd door instead of the smaller one and I am very glad I did. I find the large and awkward stuff goes in from both sides. Even sliding out a chair would be more difficult with a smaller door and would probably involve climbing in from the other side. Putting the bikes in from opposite sides avoids handle bars getting tangled. I would think carefully about how you intend to use the door before opting for one that involves lifting things over a large lip, floor level opening is so much easier.
I think the doors are made from the bit that is cut out to make the hole. You probably only need the parts.

AHA! No wonder I couldn’t find any doors!
Right, I’ll look for edging, latches and hinges etc.

 

[Pausim]

UK supplied 2023 Compactline has the large door as standard.

It was only an option when I purchased but I did wonder at the time why they bothered with doors of different sizes.

 

[Peter Clark]

Our Carthago has a large door on the hab door side and a smaller one on the other, we find the smaller door side is useful for storing chairs etc that are frequently taken out as we then don't have to swing out a big door each time; also it being shorter means that we can store stuff at the bottom/side of the garage with no risk of it accidentally falling/moving when the door is open, you can see the smaller door at the far end of the garage (this was before we filled it with all our 'treasures'!).

View attachment 724271

Excellent point about the benefits of a smaller access door on the other side - never occurred to me

 

[Lenny HB]

It was only an option when I purchased but I did wonder at the time why they bothered with doors of different sizes.

Still an option in other countries but UK supplied vans get the door and 180 engine & Auto as standard.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ali n Tim]

Good point! Do you recall the cost?
I’m guessing if I can find an independent workshop it would be a fair bit cheaper - but it would be good to have a baseline.

Sorry I can’t remember how much it was. We’re not at home so can’t look it up.

 

[Mousy]

As you will be traveling, what about purchasing all the components and having the work done in a cheaper labour country like Morocco or Turkey?

 

[Peter Clark]

As you will be traveling, what about purchasing all the components and having the work done in a cheaper labour country like Morocco or Turkey?

Good idea - though as I’m a novice I think I’d be more comfortable getting any mods I want done before I set off. #comfortzone

 

[Folkranger]

I have a one large, one small on mine which works well.

I can never understand why so many manufacturers do that. Am I missing something? Is there an advantage to having a smaller door? It's always just made access more awkward for me.

 

[Peter Clark]

I can never understand why so many manufacturers do that. Am I missing something? Is there an advantage to having a smaller door? It's always just made access more awkward for me.

See comment from Minxy….

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

I can never understand why so many manufacturers do that. Am I missing something? Is there an advantage to having a smaller door? It's always just made access more awkward for me.

See my response above, also if you are parked up tight you can open a smaller one easily to get in, with a large garage door it can be a pain in the bum.

 

[Peter Clark]

See my response above, also if you are parked up tight you can open a smaller one easily to get in, with a large garage door it can be a pain in the bum.

I particularly liked your point about being able to load to the edge and not worry about stuff rolling out when you open a smaller access door.

 

[jongood]

They carry a big range of parts - can’t see any garage access doors and they don’t appear to do any converting themselves.
I have emailed them asking if they have any recommendations.

I know people have previously had garage doors from them but a few years ago, but I would expect them to be able to point you in the right direction. Incidentally, why are you being coy about the brand?

I think you need to have a think about your usage before you decide on specs. A lot of spaces on aires and some campsites make it necessary to go to one side of the pitch so a big garage doir both sides can be a hindrance, better if the larger one is same side as hab door

 

[M and J]

Cannot find any information online about adding a garage door.

Found a promising vehicle to buy, has a large rear garage, but a door on only one side.

Are there any companies out there who are known to offer this as a service.

NB: I imagine that a campervan converting company, used to installing pop-up beds, could do it - but a company who does it regularly would probably be cheaper.

We bought a new Carado V337 in 2021 from Travelworld. It only had one door in the garage but after several trips we decided we wanted to put in a second door the other side. We approached Chelston Motorhomes in Somerset as local to us.
Here is their quote. The door is 100 x 70cm
Approx parts cost will be £1837.20 inc vat
Approx labour cost to install will be £2160.00 inc vat
Total will therefore be approx. £3997.20 inc vat
We declined!

Cannot find any information online about adding a garage door.

Found a promising vehicle to buy, has a large rear garage, but a door on only one side.

Are there any companies out there who are known to offer this as a service.

NB: I imagine that a campervan converting company, used to installing pop-up beds, could do it - but a company who does it regularly would probably be cheaper.

 

[Peter Clark]

We bought a new Carado V337 in 2021 from Travelworld. It only had one door in the garage but after several trips we decided we wanted to put in a second door the other side. We approached Chelston Motorhomes in Somerset as local to us.
Here is their quote. The door is 100 x 70cm
Approx parts cost will be £1837.20 inc vat
Approx labour cost to install will be £2160.00 inc vat
Total will therefore be approx. £3997.20 inc vat
We declined!

Wow! Certainly hope to get the job done for way under half that sort of money.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Peter Clark]

I know people have previously had garage doors from them but a few years ago, but I would expect them to be able to point you in the right direction. Incidentally, why are you being coy about the brand?

I think you need to have a think about your usage before you decide on specs. A lot of spaces on aires and some campsites make it necessary to go to one side of the pitch so a big garage doir both sides can be a hindrance, better if the larger one is same side as hab door

Coy about the brand of motorhome? I’ve posted it a couple of times in this thread.
Burstner Travel Van 570T.

 

[Folkranger]

Our Carthago has a large door on the hab door side and a smaller one on the other, we find the smaller door side is useful for storing chairs etc that are frequently taken out as we then don't have to swing out a big door each time; also it being shorter means that we can store stuff at the bottom/side of the garage with no risk of it accidentally falling/moving when the door is open, you can see the smaller door at the far end of the garage (this was before we filled it with all our 'treasures'!).

View attachment 724271

Please don't castrate me for this Minxy. I suppose everyone sees things different but I still can't see anything but disadvantages to a smaller door. Don't find a big door more difficult to open than a smaller one. Never had anything fall out of the garage.
I've also got to ask if that's really your garage. I've seen pictures of yours in previous posts and you couldn't stuff another chippolata in.

 

[cyberyacht]

That’s a good point - a decent size access door is probably all I need - I was in a mindset of specifying an exact duplicate of the existing door (I like symmetry )

Symmetry appears to be over-rated if you are an Alfa Romeo car owner.

 

[Zoobec]

I wonder if Wissel could help?

 

[Folkranger]

I opted for the full size 2nd door instead of the smaller one and I am very glad I did. I find the large and awkward stuff goes in from both sides. Even sliding out a chair would be more difficult with a smaller door and would probably involve climbing in from the other side. Putting the bikes in from opposite sides avoids handle bars getting tangled. I would think carefully about how you intend to use the door before opting for one that involves lifting things over a large lip, floor level opening is so much easier.
I think the doors are made from the bit that is cut out to make the hole. You probably only need the parts.

Fully agree, don't limit yourself to a smaller door because you think you may not need it now. The flexibility of two large doors can not be overstated.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Have both, a small door in the bigger door, they do that on goods entrance doors.

 

[Ridgeway]

The other thing to consider is that a garage door on the non awning side of your van is often better being hinged on the side (like a house door) so you can open it partially which is an advantage if you‘ve had to park close up to something on that side. On the awning/hab door side it doesn’t matter if it’s a top hinge door which whilst is nice in that it gives shelter from the rain, they do open out a long way and are hard to partially open to get something out of quickly.

 

[jongood]

Coy about the brand of motorhome? I’ve posted it a couple of times in this thread.
Burstner Travel Van 570T.

Heres one with a second garage door, might be good for ideas

Broken Link Removed

 

[Minxy]

Please don't castrate me for this Minxy. I suppose everyone sees things different but I still can't see anything but disadvantages to a smaller door. Don't find a big door more difficult to open than a smaller one. Never had anything fall out of the garage.

It's all about preferences and how you use it. One advantage with the smaller door is it's easier to open fully in a tight space but also you can do it one handed as they only have one lock, our large garage door has 2 locks and we have to pull both handles at the same time to open it which is a nuisance if you're carrying something. We simply load the garage depending on which door is the most suitable for the stuff stored within.

I've also got to ask if that's really your garage. I've seen pictures of yours in previous posts and you couldn't stuff another chippolata in.

I posted pictures of our actual garage at present, it's going to have even less stuff in as we're going to be selling the e-bikes as they have nice holidays but never get used and aren't likely to now we have 3 dogs again. We did carry a load of stuff when Lily was poorly, 2 buggies etc but not needed now. We do, however, have loads of underfloor storage so my kayak and kit isn't stored in the garage now but in a large side locker along with a few other bits.

 

[Lenny HB]

One advantage with the smaller door is it's easier to open fully in a tight space

But you can't get a bike out of it, with my full size door in a tight space I can open it less than half way and still get a bike out.
I prefer the flexability a full size door gives.
Not a fan of top hinged doors as you really are stuffed in a tight space.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Door opening directions are a double edged sword. Top hung, handy as an instant canopy, PIA in a tight space. Side opening, easier for loading, unlikely to head butt the leading edge, catch the wind easier One of each

Mike.

 

[Minxy]

But you can't get a bike out of it, with my full size door in a tight space I can open it less than half way and still get a bike out.

Which is why our bikes are near the large door ...

I prefer the flexability a full size door gives.

I've heard you're very flexible yourself ... it's all the sand dancing I suppose!

Not a fan of top hinged doors as you really are stuffed in a tight space.

Agreed and they often aren't quite high enough so you end up bashing your head or the support give way and it bashes you!

 

[Folkranger]

My last van (Rapido) on it's first trip out, I opened the smaller door in Holland and a gust of wind caught it and blew it right off it's hinges. Turned out they were only glued on, even though the hinges were made with screw holes. I put screws in but found that there was no reinforcing for them, but with more glue they held ok. Even the large door hinges were only glued on.

Nice van but my how do they get things wrong at the design stage.

 

[Peter Clark]

Door opening directions are a double edged sword. Top hung, handy as an instant canopy, PIA in a tight space. Side opening, easier for loading, unlikely to head butt the leading edge, catch the wind easier One of each

Mike.

On a MH of this size - 6m long - will be side open.

 

[Minxy]

On a MH of this size - 6m long - will be side open.

View attachment 724658

Does it have garage access from inside? I couldn't tell from the photos of the one linked to above, but if so you may find you don't actually need another door.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

My last van (Rapido) on it's first trip out, I opened the smaller door in Holland and a gust of wind caught it and blew it right off it's hinges. Turned out they were only glued on, even though the hinges were made with screw holes. I put screws in but found that there was no reinforcing for them, but with more glue they held ok. Even the large door hinges were only glued on.

Nice van but my how do they get things wrong at the design stage.

Light those stupid plastic door hinges Hymer fitted from 2016 to 2019, they wear at an alarming rate replaced mine with stainless steel ones I had made.