loose door

rivrduk · 08-13-2010, 10:33 PM

I have a 2000 tradewinds model 7373 that has a door that will not stay closed tightly. It closes tightly, but standing outside i can take my fingers and pull it back until it becomes loose and it rattles alot when i drive down the road. It will just not stay closed tightly. HELP thanks, rivrduk

**RV Wizard** · 08-14-2010, 02:43 AM

Hello rivrduk and

We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy the website and forums. Good luck and keep us posted.
It sounds like it is hinged in the floor line molding and has probably lost the spacer in the groove that keeps the door from sliding. Which door exactly is it?

paz · 08-14-2010, 08:03 AM

There are several possibilities. As RV Wizard says, a lost spacer is definitely one.

Another possibility is that parts of the latching mechanism could be worn or bent. In that case, you may have to replace the latch mechanism in the door.

If your door has a post on the frame with a hex head that the latch grabs onto, a third possibility is that post needs adjusting. It can be loosened, moved inward or outward, and re-tightened. It frequently takes some fiddling to get the position of the post right.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 08-14-2010, 08:35 AM

Are we talking about the entry door or a storage bay door? Latching mechanisms are quite different.

rivrduk · 08-14-2010, 01:02 PM

I close the door and it closes tight at both top post and the post by the handle, however i can take my fingers and pull the lower half of the door open to the second latch. It is like not closing a car door all the way. It just does not hang on the post like the top latch does so it does not stay tight. It is the entry door and not the storage doors. Thanks, rivrduk

rivrduk · 08-14-2010, 01:04 PM

It has a hex head, but i dont see how it can be moved in or out, i am sure i can move it out. will try that. Thanks Rivrduk

rivrduk · 08-14-2010, 01:06 PM

The entry door which has two posts, the top one stays tightly closed, but the bottom on is like the second latch on a car door when it is not closed all the way.

rivrduk · 08-14-2010, 01:07 PM

Entry door thanks, rivrduk

paz · 08-14-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivrduk

It has a hex head, but i dont see how it can be moved in or out, i am sure i can move it out. will try that. Thanks Rivrduk

The post with the hex head goes through a hole in the metal door frame that is larger than the post. You'll notice there is a large washer at the base of the post to cover the larger hole. The post goes through the frame into a nut that "floats."

Trace around the washer to mark the original position for reference. Loosen the hex just enough so the post can be moved, but isn't real loose. You're going to want to slide the post and washer sideways, either inward toward the inside of the motorhome or outward. Adjust the position of the post (start with about 1/8"), tighten and retry the door. If its better, move it a little more and try again. If worse, move it 1/8" the other way and retry. As I said, it may take a lot of fiddling.