Not a Good Way to Start the Travel Year

[JDT]

Went to Hot Springs, Ar for a few days. Had a great trip down but coming back wasn't so hot (pun intended). Shortly after leaving Lake Ouichita State Park I heard a loud bang. Looked in my mirror to see a bay door flapping in the breeze. In 05, and only in 05, Monaco made side opening bay doors on my coach that hinged on opposite sides of the belly storage bay with both closing to the center. This means that if the forward most one comes unlatched and the wind catches the rear one, it is toast since Monaco chose not to provide a latching mechanism other than the forward door holding it in place. I had put a pin latch on the rear door but forgot to latch it before we left. To add insult to injury, the road was so narrow that the door hit a gaurd rail on a sharp curve which was the bang I heard.

I was able to salvage the door and all the parts except for the gas strut. The only damage to the door was, amazingly, a crease along the hinged edge where it hit the edge of the panel next to it. I was able to straighten everything out and buffed out as much of the paint scuffs that I could. It will take a little Bondo and paint at some point but at least it is functional.

Has anyone who has an 05 coach with those type of doors figured out a way to make the rear door latch without having to remember to do something extra?

[94-Newmar]

Some stupid engineer designed 2 of the doors under my sliedout on my Kountry star to hinge from the bottom. If not latched 100% tight they fall open and scrape the ground as you're traveling. Hit a large enough bump or twist the chassis enough either way and they fall open.

I ended up making a small bar latch from the top of the jamb that swings down against the door.. barely visible but effective in preventing the door from falling open. Perhaps you could do something similar? I've seen the small button snap fasteners used too (like the type used to hold a front bra on) with a small 3/4" wide piece of fabric holding the door in place.

[JManatee]

I have not see the 05 door you are talking about, but what about a gate latch mounted inside the door, like this Economy Gate Latch ... Vinyl Fence Hardware

You would still have to open the front door to release the latch but it would be strong and automatic.