I'm starting to build my BH cargo doors and was wondering if those flying Maules and Bearhawks would make any changes to the cargo doors if they were starting from scratch. I've thought about making it one piece and hinging for either end or maybe the top. Not sure how those ideas would work out. I'm thinking just building them according to plans is probly the best way but wondered what you guys thought.

I don't know how to change it to make it better, but I've never been happy with the water tightness of the Maule door. Always a little bit of water after a rain.

I haven't noticed much leakage John but plan in some sort of seal. Some have put a joggle in the lip to accept a rubber seal. I like the clam shell style being able to open just one door at a time. Plan in a door opener of some sort to keep the forward, 'uphill' door open when you want it. I have no lock on the baggage door and wish I did.

rw2, a simple J channel strip with self glue backing can be attached along top of the doors, or step the middle door weather seal material so it fits over the rear door at the overlap.
Weather seal should be closed cell so as not to act as a sponge.

Whee, I have used the rear cargo door fully covered in plexiglass for sightseeing when operating the Maule as a 5 seater with 5th seat occupied.
The catch for baggage door is inoperable when middle door is closed, however when middle door only is removed for video work or drops etc, for safety to prevent an errant shirtsleeve or strap from grabbing baggage door catch, I cover with a piece of ductape.

Minor details! Those doors are so cool.....

Alright.We started laying it out and will be going with the standard doors. The middle door will be mostly window and a section of the rear door will be window also so the 5th seat passenger will have some view. Thanks guys.

The BH doors themselves work great, based on checking out Blackrock's. I'm not sure if I would deviate much. The thing I do question is the latch/handle. Like Dave said, lockable is really nice and Bob's design doesn't account for that. Sure would be nice to find a good lockable latch that would allow good actuation of the locking pins.

One thing that I have to add is a positive stop to the sill/frame. The overhanging skins accomplish that but it's nice to have something a little more positive.

Spruce sells a lockable latch but I'm not quite sure how to make it work with the locking pin mechanism.

You could make a simple swing over tab that locks the existing pin from the inside, then with a lock on the front windows it would be as secure as any fabric plane. That's why I decided during the build not to put locks on, like my soft top jeep, if they want in they'll get there pretty easily and make a mess but now I see with the plane sitting at OSH for a week or elsewhere it would be some peace of mind. Easy enough to add.

One method I've considered for locking the rear door is to not have a latch on the outside. To open the middle door you'd reach through the front door and pull the latch. Maybe a bad idea in a crash scenario.

whee wrote:One method I've considered for locking the rear door is to not have a latch on the outside. To open the middle door you'd reach through the front door and pull the latch. Maybe a bad idea in a crash scenario.

I think if it were me, and I had a 5th seat that I was going to use to carry passengers, I would want to be able to open it from both sides. For a worst case scenario. For the back passengers sake. That person may be the only one able to extricate themselves. Just a thought.

Crzyivan13 wrote:

whee wrote:One method I've considered for locking the rear door is to not have a latch on the outside. To open the middle door you'd reach through the front door and pull the latch. Maybe a bad idea in a crash scenario.

I think if it were me, and I had a 5th seat that I was going to use to carry passengers, I would want to be able to open it from both sides. For a worst case scenario. For the back passengers sake. That person may be the only one able to extricate themselves. Just a thought.

Agreed. Because I'm going using the plane as a family hauler with young kids I need to be able to open the door from the outside.

The question about water leaking into the top of the cargo door opening has come up as I am in the process of bending up a piece of aluminum to fasten to the top of the door opening. Installed over the fabric, under the door lip, before I paint, this attached piece will act as a small gutter while the door is open or closed. With the door closed, it will look like there is a small bead rolled at the top of the door.

I have owned two maules, water getting in at the top of the cargo door was a problem with both. With my current exp plane, I want the double door set up, but want to channel the water run-off back past the door opening

goldfinch wrote:The question about water leaking into the top of the cargo door opening has come up as I am in the process of bending up a piece of aluminum to fasten to the top of the door opening. Installed over the fabric, under the door lip, before I paint, this attached piece will act as a small gutter while the door is open or closed. With the door closed, it will look like there is a small bead rolled at the top of the door.

I have owned two maules, water getting in at the top of the cargo door was a problem with both. With my current exp plane, I want the double door set up, but want to channel the water run-off back past the door opening

I had the same thought about solving the water problem as I was reading through this thread. Any pictures?

I have seen this before on someones Bearhawk but a bother to me on the Maule is the middle door flopping around while dealing inside it or the cargo door. Someone put an over centering hinge/latch at the top edge of the middle door to hold it open when packing, etc. Don't recall where I saw it but a good add.

DeltaRomeo wrote:I have seen this before on someones Bearhawk but a bother to me on the Maule is the middle door flopping around while dealing inside it or the cargo door. Someone put an over centering hinge/latch at the top edge of the middle door to hold it open when packing, etc. Don't recall where I saw it but a good add.

I've seen that done on a couple Bearhawks. I think on ours we will be installing a gas strut on the middle door.

whee wrote:I've seen that done on a couple Bearhawks. I think on ours we will be installing a gas strut on the middle door.

Works great on mine. Easy install, too. Don't forget to fill out your 337, though.... hahaha, got to love Experimentals.

I'm planning on the gas strut too, as well as on the pilot doors. Where's a good place to source them?

I don't know yet. Was going to ask Mike where he got his middle door strut from. I'm having some trouble locating a strut for the front doors. Haven't looked for a middle door strut yet.

Well, I ain't Mike but try here http://www.rvpartscountry.com/Gas-Sprin ... 2-2-1.html
Or look up 'cabinet door stays' for the simple mechanical over center type, that's worked well.

This is what I used on my BH forward cargo door. Seems to work well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D12 ... detailpage