Ok, made the hinged second box and have tested it out. Seems like the perfect solution. What I will need is some gas struts to hold it up and a latch to hold it down. Anyone have any idea how a person goes about purchasing the appropriate pressure gas struts and where?
Letting the hot air escape from the top of the kitchen makes a substantial difference in how cool it is.

I see some 24 lb gas struts for about $30 a pair on Amazon. Says they are used for rear doors on truck caps. Not sure 24 lbs is enough for the skylight. I'm guessing skylight and frame weight around 40 lbs. How should the struts be sized in comparison to the weight to be lifted?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13