I’m still fixing things around the house.
While repairing some scratched wallpaper alongside the door in my kitchen, I had a terrible vision. The scene takes place in the interior of my precious, brand-new, Liberty Deluxe Casita travel trailer. Spike and Bridget are hopping at the door, all fired up to go outside, and their nails are shredding the bottom half of the screen into long strips.
“Good reason to fire the crew!”
No, just kidding. I search online and find a metal guard specifically for the outside of the screen door (although I need something for the inside). You know the kind. Your grandma probably had one. Originating during the pre-childproof era, the metal is shaped into ugly curly-cues designed to pinch the fingers of children who run in and out of the house all day, which, by the way, children don’t do anymore because they’re too busy sitting on the couch making fat cells and complaining there’s nothing to do. Anyway.
I tootle on over to Lowe’s.
I see a young man in a red apron. I explain what I’m looking for and why I need it. He’s confused until I say, “You know, the kind your grandma probably had . . . .”
“Oh yeah, I know what you’re looking for! I remember getting my finger caught in the . . . .”
I realize my best bet is a place like Camping World and mark that mission “inactive” in my brain. Maybe I don’t even need anything for the door anyway. Maybe Casita has a guard on it already? It’s tough outfitting a trailer you’ve never seen. I browse through the tow hitch accessories section — quite a nice selection — and spend a few minutes fondling hitch locks, electrical plug adapters, and mini air compressors.
Wow! This little lady has her priorities right!
I pick up a shiny, looks-like-diamond-plate, foldable “auto-shade” to protect the dash of the PTV. Hey, this is just what the crew and I need. I check the back of the cardboard sleeve around it to make sure I have the right one for a Chevy Express van. Below the chart in all caps is a stern warning: ATTENTION: VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN WITH SUNSHADE IN THE WINDOW.”
Oh. Gee. Thanks for the heads-up!
And to think there never was one word of warning — not one word — about grandma’s screen door.
rvsue
Sue, you might think about a piece of plexiglass for the bottom of your screen. I know that it cuts out a bit of air flow, but might be safer for the dogs’ nails. And it comes in smoky tints, which might help with heat. AND … it can be cut to size without much trouble at all. Just a thought …
Hello, Laura! Thanks. I could have thought of that. But I didn’t!
LOL !!!! My VW Beetle manual advised that people should not be placed in the trunk.
“It’s tough outfitting a trailer you’ve never seen”. Sing it, sistah!
The company can’t be faulted for having an elevated view of its customers!
Sue, we got some plexiglass from Lowes or Home Depot to put on the bottom portion of the screen door on our 2008 LD. Technically it should have been 18-1/2″ wide x 18″ tall, but it’s 18″ square so it doesn’t quite go to either side. It still does the job great for our 30# dog & 2 cats. I saw a similar piece of plexiglass in an Oliver where the owner had drilled 1-2″ size holes thru it all to provide air flow but still keep the dogs from getting out. . .or having claws caught in the screen or holes. I’ve heard the new Casitas also come with the clear slide in the screen door now, so you’ll have a total view out it. The smoke color might be a good idea for the bottom portion if you’ll be concerned about too much sun/heat coming thru.
Glenda,
I hope what you say is true! Maybe someone who has a new Casita will read this and verify that there is protection for the lower part of the screen door. If not, thank you for the directions.
Sue, the new Casitas have the clear part in the middle where you slide it to open the door. MMoe on the Casita Forum has put plexiglas in both the top and bottom of the screen door so she can keep the door open with the screen closed when she has the AC or heater running to give her more light. It also allows her “boys”, Larry and Curly to see out when they stay inside while she’s outside doing stuff. This is something to think about but I would wait till you pick up your Casita so you can get exact measurements. MMoe doesn’t live very far from Rice and she’s close to our friend Larry Gamble, the Mod master. I bet would love for you to drop by for a visit after you pick up your Casita in July.
I think I want the plexiglass just on the bottom, up as high as they can jump. Do you mean the new Casitas have a clear part in the middle of the screen door or between the screen door and the outside door? Sorry to be dense. I’m not picturing it.
I’m worried about the first night. That’s all it will take for the destruction to take place. I suppose I could put something in front of the doorway to block them temporarily until I could measure and get something affixed to the screen door.
Thank you, Reine.
Sue, since it sounds like you’re on such good terms with the Casita folks why not ask them for the measurements, get one cut before you leave, buy the hardware needed to install it, and smile sweetly at them when you arrive with everything in hand and “that look” on your face? 😉
You know, Laura, I was thinking the same thing.
Do you think I need to use “that look?” I like to save it for really tough situations!
If you want air flow you could back up the light window screen with some heavy plastic screening like this:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#plastic-mesh-screens/=cq5cfy
McMaster Carr is the worlds greatest hardware and more, store and they are in Atlanta. Order online.
Mick
What a place! It would take lifetime to look at all the choices. I saw several plastic perforated screens that would be easy to cut and affix to a door. Some are sold at their predetermined measurement which is pricey for the little bit I want. I did see some types that are a certain width and sold by length which makes them reasonable. Darn I wish I had my trailer here!
This is a great resource for everybody. There’s a lot more than screens at this site. Thanks, Mick.