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Old 06-27-2017, 12:52 AM   #1
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Friction Hinge

The friction hinge is so stiff my wife struggles with the door. I've lubed it like crazy to no avail.

Has anybody struggled with this and found a solution?

Jim
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Old 06-27-2017, 12:23 PM   #2
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I'd like to know also as my friction hinge is quite stiff as well. It sure keeps the door at a stationary position even in a strong breeze. Are these adjustable at all?
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Old 06-27-2017, 06:06 PM   #3
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My old doors seem to get easier with use or maybe we just got used to them. The new doors seem quite a bit stiffer to open. I didn't want to use lube in case there are rubber sleeves inside the hinges and lube might make them swell and be even tougher. I can't see anything in the hinge but I'm happy the wind can't move them either.
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Old 06-27-2017, 06:17 PM   #4
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Well, now that's the other half of the story. The door is too stiff for my wife to manage, and it isn't able to stay open if there's any wind. Most of the time it sits about half closed, blocking the stairway, and resisting any casual effort to open it out of the way. I'm going to install a latch to hold the door open. But it still doesn't solve the issue of the door being too stiff to easily open.

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Old 06-27-2017, 06:48 PM   #5
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Check with ORV or LCI and see if they will replace it under warranty.
Agree that lubricating the hinges will not help, and probably make it worse.
Good luck!
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Old 07-12-2017, 04:56 PM   #6
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I've been dealing with this same issue all week. A WARNING for anyone reading, try to get these hinges working properly ASAP. Mine went on for too long like this and the metal frame that is attached to the foam core of the door actually separated from the door itself.

Unlike OP, I was able to lubricate the hinge with spray-grease and get the hinge to loosen up. I did this on all of the friction hinges to prevent from future problems and will likely do this every year or so.

I had to completely remove the door and use an adhesive sealant and clamps to glue the metal frame back to the door. With the door removed I drilled out the rivets on the problematic friction hinge to remove the hinge entirely. In hindsight, this was unnecessary as I probably could have just lubricated the hinge while still installed (I removed thinking that I would replace the hinge but didn't need to as the lubrication fixed the prob). FWIW, I did notice that when I riveted the hinge back on it got stiffer than it was while uninstalled from the trailer.

I spoke with customer service department at Lippert (they build the doors) who suggested replacing the hinge with a non-friction hinge. In the back of my mind this is my next solution if the hinge ever acts up again.

Best of luck!
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Old 07-12-2017, 09:07 PM   #7
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We've been using our friction hinge door for 3 1/2 years now and we like it. My wife has no problem with the door. My only issue is that it has a tendency to squeek. I have lubricated the hinges with, Silicone spray, Tri-Flo and WD-40 (I know, it's not a lubricant). Those work for a little while. In a stiff breeze our door does not stay in position.

Bob
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Old 07-15-2017, 09:00 AM   #8
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I too was irritated with the friction hinge. Over time mine squeaked loudly whenever door moved. Very hard to open/close. Finally had enough. Got out the WD-40 and carefully sprayed the lube deeply in ALL of the hinges. Door swings freely.. (well to be honest initially maybe TOO freely) but with time it's now about perfect for me.
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Old 07-15-2017, 02:25 PM   #9
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I tried silicone in the hinges, didn't seem to make any difference. I think it makes a difference where you keep your trailer.....harsh winters and dust may affect them.

I'll Just live with it until it fails I guess.
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Old 07-15-2017, 09:15 PM   #10
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OK. I've made a decision. I'm not going to act on it today, but eventually I will.

The friction hinge has to go. It simply makes the door a constant nuisance, an unpleasant thing to deal with. It is difficult to open, and with a strong breeze it will not stay open.

I will eventually switch the hinge to a non-friction hinge and attach a lock to the trailer wall to latch the door open when I want it to stay open.

Sometimes progress is not progress at all.

Jim
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Old 07-15-2017, 10:47 PM   #11
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Interesting stuff. Different strokes for different folks! We'd like to have a friction hinge on our front door!

Bob
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Old 07-16-2017, 09:21 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by egwilly View Post
I tried silicone in the hinges, didn't seem to make any difference. I think it makes a difference where you keep your trailer.....harsh winters and dust may affect them.



I'll Just live with it until it fails I guess.


Where we live the winters get pretty harsh and we travel gravel roads on occasion. Our doors seemed to get easier with use. We have two new doors now not because they failed and these don't seem any different. I'm thinking it might be a fitting problem and the frame maybe causing it to bind.
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Old 07-16-2017, 10:48 AM   #13
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Interesting stuff. Different strokes for different folks! We'd like to have a friction hinge on our front door!

Bob
Yes! A door slamming into the side of the TT in a wind gust is no fun. Also, it give you more opening options.
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Old 07-19-2017, 08:49 AM   #14
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Couldn't live without mine!! There is always wind in Montana. No one here talks about it til it hits 20mph, then weather men call is 'light breeze'. 70 mph winds are not uncommon... I can't imagine how much I'd get knocked around trying to get in and out without these doors.

And yes, in this part of the country no one enters a vehicle from opposite sides at the same time. Lol. Too much flow if you do.
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