Community Forums

The Bay I · 09-01-2017, 03:29 PM

I have an Itasca Ellipse 42QD and the entry door won't stay open even in the slightest wind. The cost of a new arm is around $200 from Winnebago. Any thoughts on what I can do or where I might find a cheaper price? Thanks in advance,

John

BFlinn181 · 09-01-2017, 05:15 PM

My door has stop that holds the door open securely unless the wind gusts or blows from the front. I use a bungee cord around the mirror to hold the door open when conditions dictate so it doesn't slam shut. Not very high tech, but not $200 either.

Skip426 · 09-01-2017, 05:22 PM

If your coach has the Pos-A-Loc, upper door latching mechanism , there is a post about a small spring breaking in the top of the door that causes the mechanism not to latch in the open position.

ND5T · 09-02-2017, 07:02 AM

Our 2015 42qd is quit hard to shut from the open position. Hard enough that I am thinking of adding a handle to help break it away from the open latch/catch.

Finhawk · 09-02-2017, 12:01 PM

I had the same problem. If you look at the arm, you should see a fat pin that fits into a round slot. That's what holds the door. I used a pair of vice grip pliers and just squeezed it together. That's a cheap fix

Journey39n · 09-04-2017, 02:30 AM

After 5 years of full timing, my front door arm stopped holding shut. So as a temporary solution, I cut a 1/4" by 2" strip of duct tape, and wrapped the little pin on the arm. Made for a cushioned catch that held. Of course it was temporary, but I have found that I only need to rewrap that pin about every 4 months, unless really windy. Takes about a minute, so I keep doing it.

DancinCampers · 09-04-2017, 09:04 AM

Here is a pic of the door bracket:

The tempered ring is usually the part that breaks. The ring allows for slippage, keeping the rivet from wearing out.

One friend in NV found a grommet that slipped over the pin and it worked.

Another ground the rivet to remove it, drilled and tapped the end, and found a spring at hardware store to slip over rivet before reinstalling.

Mine is becoming loose. and I think I am going to try some electrical shrink tubing.

The Bay I · 09-04-2017, 09:52 AM

Thanks for all the replies, I will try them and see what works the best.
John

Mr_D · 09-04-2017, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND5T

Our 2015 42qd is quit hard to shut from the open position. Hard enough that I am thinking of adding a handle to help break it away from the open latch/catch.

If you have the posi lock system you have to operate the door opening latch to release it. Just pull the handle like you were opening the door and pull the door closed.