Top Front Latch on Entry door

RBK394 · 12-22-2011, 04:36 PM

Have had this intermittent rattle on entry door of 42QD. Have traced it down to what I believe is the problem. Near the top and front of the jamb there is a roller that travels up into a hard plastic hook on the door to create a latch when the door is closed. When I bang on the jamb near that roller, or when I tap it directly, it surely sounds like the rattle that I sometime hear. I was at the dealer today on another matter and I asked the mechanic what accuates that latch. He told me that he is not real familiar with it, but has heard that it operates by air pressure and it latches when it senses the RV moving. I asked the service manager who essentially confirmed that. My thought is that if it operates by air pressure, something more that a motion sensor is involved in activating it. I do not remember seeing anything like this on my previous rigs and I can find no reference to it in the manuals that I have.

Does anyone have any knowledge about this latch and, if so, is there a way to test it to see if it is working properly? Once the door is closed, that latch is no longer in sight. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

toddb · 12-23-2011, 08:07 PM

If your 11 Tour is like our 11 Ellipse it's the same latch. It's electric over air actuated.
2 switches, one on center console and one on passenger console near door (marked door latch). It's manual activated not speed. If you flip the switch you will hear a distinct noise as it moves into place.

Alas, in our case that did not solve the elusive Winnie door rattle problem. Ours was actually nonfunctional from delivery and during a visit to the Winnie factory it was fixed. Turns out there was a disconnected wire in the door.

RBK394 · 12-24-2011, 11:23 AM

Thanks, TODDB. I tell you I had always thought those switches you told me about was for the latch in the door handle (not the deadbolt, the other one). Goes to show what I have not learned about these things. I am amazed the dealer's mech and service manager was not able to tell me that. Well, maybe not amazed. Thanks for the feedback.