2017 Dutch Star Entry Door Latch/Locking Difficult

[17DS4018]

We're the (original) owners of a 2017 Dutch Star 4018 that requires tremendous force to fully secure the entry door, many times requiring multiple attempts primarily when securing from the inside for travel or night security. The light-close does not secure the door fully in terms of providing an air/water tight seal when traveling and each time we fully close the door from the inside I'm waiting for the door window to shatter due to the seeming excessive amount of closing force required to fully secure the door.

Questions: Is there an adjustment that can be made and, if so, without taking it to a service provider (North Trail RV for us here on the southern west coast of FL)?

Thank you.

Robbie

[TJ]

Originally Posted by 17DS4018

We're the (original) owners of a 2017 Dutch Star 4018 that requires tremendous force to fully secure the entry door, many times requiring multiple attempts primarily when securing from the inside for travel or night security. The light-close does not secure the door fully in terms of providing an air/water tight seal when traveling and each time we fully close the door from the inside I'm waiting for the door window to shatter due to the seeming excessive amount of closing force required to fully secure the door.

Questions: Is there an adjustment that can be made and, if so, without taking it to a service provider (North Trail RV for us here on the southern west coast of FL)?

Thank you.

Robbie

Yes, there is an adjustment that can be made, but it is not easy because Newmar hides the adjustment part of the latch behind the wood door frame trim.

Here's a link to the procedure.

https://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/insta...013DRENTDR.pdf

The door frame can be removed by first removing the dowel plugs covering the screws that secure it in place. The best way is to drill a small hole in the center of the dowel plug and thread a small wood screw into it. You can then pull the dowel plug out using a pair of pliers. The plugs are not glued in. New dowel plugs matching the woodwork can be ordered from Newmar Parts. Or, you can live with holes in the existing plugs.

Good luck.

TJ

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by Tranquil Jim

Yes, there is an adjustment that can be made, but it is not easy because Newmar hides the adjustment part of the latch behind the wood door frame trim.

Here's a link to the procedure.

https://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/insta...013DRENTDR.pdf

The door frame can be removed by first removing the dowel plugs covering the screws that secure it in place. The best way is to drill a small hole in the center of the dowel plug and thread a small wood screw into it. You can then pull the dowel plug out using a pair of pliers. The plugs are not glued in. New dowel plugs matching the woodwork can be ordered from Newmar Parts. Or, you can live with holes in the existing plugs.

Good luck.

TJ

exactly ... to be clear, the referenced door frame is the inside wooden trim surrounding the door. Also, depending on model/year you may have a screw hidden under a cup holder. If properly adjusted, the door can be closed with 2 fingers ... really!


BTW, if you are reasonably handy, this adjustment is best done by you ... dealers can really screw this up ...

[17DS4018]

TJ - I managed to communicate with the door manufacturer (PTL Engineering) whom forwarded an updated PDF of the Move-a-bolt adjustment protocol which basically matched the one you posted. After removing the interior door trim as you clearly referenced, then removing the move-a-bolt assembly, I found no (zero) adjustable star cam that's held in place by the removable pin. My move-a-bolt unit once removed from the door jamb consisted of the outer move-a-bolt frame and the removable pin that holds the move-a-bolt in place within the move-a-bolt assembly, plus one very thin washer/spacer. That's it. There's also no (zero) numeric markings stamped on either side of the move-a-bolt outer frame for the (missing?) star cam to align when making an adjustment. Therefore, there's seemingly no adjustment to be made for the unit that was installed on our coach. The engineer from PTL Engineering (Brain) that I've been communicating with (and very helpful) should be quite interested to hear about my findings since he detailed the adjustment procedure on the phone this past Wednesday which perfectly aligned with the information you provided.

Just wanted to follow-up and again thank you for taking the time to respond to my inquiry.

Robbie