Hatch cover hinges are delicate!

[MerlintheMad]

When carrying tall loads in the hatch, the cover needs to be removed from its hinges so that it can "float" above the tall objects (e.g. ice chests).

I discovered (this is not going under "interesting discoveries" it'll get buried) that pushing and pulling on the hatch cover, to snap and unsnap the hatch cover hinges, will break the hinge from the cover. The only thing holding my left hinge in place right now is the felt covering. It looks like I'm going to have to cut around the base of the hinge and apply Gorilla Glue or similar. From now on, I will only snap or remove the hinge by applying direct pressure to the hinge, not the cover. No glue join is going to hold up indefinitely if sideways force is applied to it.

 

[mandasol]

I take my hatch cover out and back in several times a week, and have ever since I got mine in March. Never had an issue. You've probably noticed the slots that the hinges slide into are angled up so I always make sure to pull in the direction of the slots. That being said after hearing that yours broke I'll try to be even more careful going forward.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I take my hatch cover out and back in several times a week, and have ever since I got mine in March. Never had an issue. You've probably noticed the slots that the hinges slide into are angled up so I always make sure to pull in the direction of the slots. That being said after hearing that yours broke I'll try to be even more careful going forward.

Yes sir. Be more careful and grab the hinges directly. I have had mine since March as well and removed the cover many times, and only saw the loose left hinge yesterday.