Community Forums

TwinDriver · 09-05-2018, 01:02 PM

We recently made our first trip in our new 2019 Dutchstar.

During the drive, we developed a very loud and annoying squeaking/grating noise which seems to be coming from the entry door.

The squeaking/squealing noise is loud enough to overpower any house shake noise when on an imperfect road.

I greased the entry door folding arm stop at the top of the door. I also tried using the deadbolt and not while driving, but the noise remains.

Very annoying! Anyone else experience this...any ideas?

Thank you!

LeslieGary · 09-05-2018, 01:09 PM

We have a similar problem with our 2018 Dutch Star. It is somewhat intermittent; more prevalent on rough roads as one would expect. I also tried lubricating the door hinge, but no change.

ga traveler · 09-05-2018, 01:21 PM

At our dealership, we usually found the sound was caused by the screen door. Check the screen door for wear or chaffing marks. Also lube the rubber seal on the screen door, if it has one, with silicone.

PaulTNaples · 09-05-2018, 01:22 PM

Try making two wraps of electrical tape around the post that the door latches on to, that should do the trick. Worked for me. I found that info here.

redbaron73 · 09-05-2018, 01:41 PM

Is your deadbolt fully engaged? Mine would make a noise when not locked.

Smosher · 09-05-2018, 01:49 PM

I had a loud squeak from my front door when it was new. It was the wood frame around the door at the bottom tight against the tile. It would make more noise when going into a driveway when the motor home was in a semi twist. Also going down the road.

Podivin · 09-05-2018, 01:56 PM

On my rig I was able to quiet that same noise by moving the latch bolt (in the door frame) towards the inside of the rig, which made the door fit tighter when shut.
On mine, the entire bolt is an Allen head bolt, quiet easy to adjust.

BBelanger · 09-05-2018, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinDriver

We recently made our first trip in our new 2019 Dutchstar.

During the drive, we developed a very loud and annoying squeaking/grating noise which seems to be coming from the entry door.

The squeaking/squealing noise is loud enough to overpower any house shake noise when on an imperfect road.

I greased the entry door folding arm stop at the top of the door. I also tried using the deadbolt and not while driving, but the noise remains.

Very annoying! Anyone else experience this...any ideas?

Thank you!

Try slamming the door. There are two levels of "closed". After using it for awhile, you'll get to know which is which. You can close it enough for a campground, but on the road the squeak will drive you crazy.

Stuart W · 09-05-2018, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Try slamming the door. There are two levels of "closed". After using it for awhile, you'll get to know which is which. You can close it enough for a campground, but on the road the squeak will drive you crazy.

Very true, takes quite a bit of effort to close all of the way. If when all of the way closed you still have a squeak, some wrap a layer of black tape around the latch pin

TwinDriver · 09-06-2018, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron73

Is your deadbolt fully engaged? Mine would make a noise when not locked.

I have driven the coach with both the deadbolt fully engaged and not engaged. Same annoying noise...

Appreciate all the responses and will try some of the solutions recommended.

Thank you!

Winepress · 09-06-2018, 12:45 PM

After our trip to Alaska I learned two things about the squeeky door syndrome. The door has two catches, just like a car.
1. Make sure door is closed and using both catches.
2. Clean seal around the screen door. We clean and then add 303 to the seal.

Hope this helps.

PS- in our case, we really had to slam the door. You know is properly latched by the resistance on the door knob, it will be more difficult to engage. With use, it’s gotten to be easier.

willipaul · 09-07-2018, 04:06 AM

i think it could be the screen door, or the wood trim against the tile....

wood trim needs to be trimmed, if its that...

screen door just needs some self adhesive weatherstripping added, to take up the space between the screen door and the door....that gap is where it rattles / squeaks....

LostDutchman · 09-07-2018, 06:00 AM

We had the same issue. Even after trying all of the above. While at the factory for other repairs, talked to the lead tech - he adjusted the locks and added spacers to the rubber bumpers. Didn't completely solve the issue, but helped immensely. As we were going down the road, my wife discovered some of the "chatter" was coming from the seat belt at the point where it attaches to the wall. Twisted and snugged up that vinyl cover some and that stopped as well. Now we have relative quiet, except for those roads where just the right combination of speed and rough surface would create the perfect vibration in the coach to set off that annoying squeak.

Dutch Star Don · 09-07-2018, 09:32 PM

Here is my fi that solved this issue. Your door post floats so if the door is a little out of line it will still close. If you grab that door post, you can move it around with your hand. I found wrapping the electrical tape around the post helped for a day or so.

So here's what I did. I removed the door post, unscrew like you would a bolt. When removed, it has a large washer as part of the post, about 2" in diameter. I took a piece of plastic....the white lid to a clear plastic storage container and cut out a matching washer to the one attached to the door post. I reinstalled the door post with the new plastic washer. The door post still floated, but not as easily. That was four years ago and my door doesn't rattle or squeak.

Keep in mind that Newmar uses a two position front door. When you close the front door while parked and camping, you shut it moderately to the first stop. If you look closely, that first stop leaves the door, not quite flush with the door frame. When you're travelling, the door must be closed with a much firmer pull to get it to the second latch position, which keeps it quiet during travel.