Lund Storage lid bending

[grizzley]

I agree with adding some type of brace/stiffener to the bottom. Guys that modify Jon boats do that all the time to strengthen the various mods. they do to them.
Here's a deck extension I made for mine, solid as a rock!

[Pooch]

After I posted earlier I got to thinking. My old Lund Rebel has wood lids on those same compartments. Replacing the aluminum factory door with one of solid wood then covering it in plastic might be the easiest and most durable fix. If the aluminum doors are three quarter of an inch thick, it's an easy fix. Use the original lid as a template to cut the wood.

Pooch

[MarkG]

Originally Posted by North Sask Alaskan

I got this boat (2008 Alaskan 2000 DC) in August of this year and have done a few repairs and improvements already. I love the size and rough water capability of the boat after coming from a Lund S18. The side storage is great but the lids don't seem as strong as I would like when someone steps there to enter or exit the boat. Does anyone have an idea to stiffen the lids?

Are they bent already?? Or are you just worried about it?

My old 2001 Lund Rebel-V has aluminum lids on the side storage , front deck storage,as well as the front center livewell. Never had an issue. I do however avoid stepping in and out ,right in the center of those side lids which are the longest,, and I instruct guests to do the same. But there are always some that don't listen. But in 16 years, never really had a problem with any of the lids. They are probably stronger than we might think.

[North Sask Alaskan]

You're probably right. I've only had the boat a couple of months and the flex I feel when stepping on the lid has me worried but maybe it's unjustified. I don't want to tell people not to step there so I may just add reinforcement to ease my mind.

[DLM10]

It looks to be well supported on 3 sides. I would think the weak area would be at the hinge. You cold temporally mock up a piece of wood to support that area in the middle of the hinge, see if that takes the flex out and have an alum support bracket made. If the lid its self flexes run a piece of angle iron down the middle for support.