Stuck Inside Motorhome

[sgtjoe]

Everyone has been so helpful on other things, how about on my door on my 2001 Tradewinds 7390, not the LTC model?

There have been a few times that we have had to have someone open our door from the outside. The top latch doesn't release sometimes, so I have to keep it really lubricated. Most of the time I can operate it easily, but most everyone else has a hard time, going out or coming in.

Anyone have an easy fix or should I just have someone come fix it that knows what they are doing.

[njs42]

On my rig these are not hard to open up and take a look inside. The problem may just jump right out at you if you take a look. I do it to mine about once per year to clean and lube on the inside when it gets slow or harder to work. It is a simple mechanism and probalby easy to replace/repair if need be. Have you tried that?

[sgtjoe]

I can open up and look at the lower latch where the door handles are, but the top latch and the lever that goes to it are inside the door with no visable means of getting to it.

This door has always been a pain to open or close. To shut it tight you have to slam it shut, otherwise the door won't close all the way. When you open it the bottom latch releases easily, but the top one doesn't unless you pull the handle (inside) up really hard.

[Theberrys]

Joe

I was able to buy a new lock directly from Trimark. TriMark Corporation - Latch, Handle, Linkage, Electronic, Hinge, Vehicle door hardware

If you remove the lock you will find a part number stamped on the inside. Call them and they will sell you a new one. Mine had worn down the cams over the years and was very hard to open. There are three or four screws on the inside that when removed will allow you to pull the outside out and the inside in. Don't worry about springs flying around it's well contained. Not a hard job but can get a bit costly and you will need to change keys with the new ones thay include.

Dick

[wa8yxm]

Tri mark used very low cost metal for the bolts, both dead and striker, however the top latch on mine just latches the handle, I've never had an issue with it.

Question: Is it the key goes in but won't turn? IF so lubricate the Lock CYLINDER but first shoot it with WD-40, Do this 2 or 3 days in a row to clean it out, cycle it many times Then let it sit a day or two and use a dry lubricant, My personal choice is Dry-Slide which you can get at gun or motorcycle shops. Costly and messy but very good. Graphite works well too (Lock-Ease I think is one brand,, I know it's Lock-something)

If it is the key works sometimes and othertimes does not.. you might have a locksmith look at it.. I have seen keys mis-cut, even factory ones.

[sgtjoe]

Well after fixing the water leaks and replacing the starter solenoid I finally got to the door. After removing the handle assembly I saw where the lever was worn down where it moves the piece that releases the two door latches, it had a lot of play. I thought why not just get something that would cover the worn area, so off to Lowes I went. I found exactly what I wanted in the nuts and bolts drawers. They call them speed nuts, I remember them from my old days of removing inside door panels. They slide over an area so you can attach a screw to hold something in place. Any way for a buck fifty eight I bought the pkg of 4. Got home, slide one on and it covered the worn area just right. I put it all back together and tried the door out a few times and it worked great. Now for the REAL TEST, I go and get the wife, since she has always had a hard time opening this door from outside and really hard time inside. It passed the wife test both inside and outside. I asked her what do think about that, her reply was a simple, WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THAT A FEW YEARS AGO.

We'll see if it holds up until Nov when I hit The Gambler in Quartzsite for a new assembly.

If anyone needs a clip, wave me down I have 3 left.