Sliding or Folding Door to Garage

[GaryRudolph]

We have a 12’ garage in our toy hauler and the door opens into the garage area. Unfortunately, this doesn’t allow us to get into the garage if we have something near the front of the garage (i.e. Bolt-It-On Rack) but still want to in/out of the garage without going outside (i.e. if we stop and have dirt bikes in the back but the kids are ok climbing over the bikes with the bed down and need to go to the bathroom during the night).

Anyone install a sliding door, folding door or velcro tarp (removing the door) as an alternative to the swinging door?

[Bumpyroad]

I think it would be much easier to "seal" a swinging door than a sliding one.
bumpy

[CarlT100]

I don't have any photos and the toyhauler is about nine hours away. I thought about making a gasket; but just never did.

[GaryRudolph]

CarlT100 wrote:
I had that same problem with our toy hauler. I installed a barn door type sliding door on rollers. I will caution you that this does not seal as does the original door. So you could get gasoline fumes in the living area. We solved this by installing a kitchen vent fan in the garage.

Any pictures to see how it turned out?
Yah, I was thinking I could put a rubber gasket/molding around it to seal.

[GaryRudolph]

dedmiston wrote:
Not sure how old you are Gary, but as a child of the 60s I can't help but think of the hippy beads.

Was that ever in style! :B

[CarlT100]

I had that same problem with our toy hauler. I installed a barn door type sliding door on rollers. I will caution you that this does not seal as does the original door. So you could get gasoline fumes in the living area. We solved this by installing a kitchen vent fan in the garage.

[dedmiston]

Not sure how old you are Gary, but as a child of the 60s I can't help but think of the hippy beads.

[GaryRudolph]

Bumpyroad wrote:

could also frame the opening and put a narrower house hold style door or bi-fold door there?

The bi-fold would only be half better. But you gave me an idea. Instead of bothering with a sliding I could just fit a door to the same size of the frame (of course after removing the door) with a small board to hold the bottom in and pull latches at the top. Keeps it sealed for driving, but when stopped allows to open it up.

[GaryRudolph]

Dirtclods wrote:
Have you considered removing the frame of the door and flipping it around to open from the inside.

I have, but the slide is right there and I think the door handle will interfere, plus there is molding I'd have to mess up.

[Dirtclods]

Have you considered removing the frame of the door and flipping it around to open from the inside.

[arhayes]

I agree with Bumpy. I think you'd want a semi-secure door of some type for the insulation value alone. However, I could see taking a sheet of plexi or plywood and a piano hinge to fashion a door if it came to that. Remove and save the existing door and mount the hinge to make the temp one inward opening.

[Bumpyroad]

I don't suppose it would be possible to have the door swing in instead of out or vice versa?
could also frame the opening and put a narrower house hold style door or bi-fold door there? just save the pieces so when you want to sell
bumpy