basement door stuck closed

[wmmaryyoung]

I have a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star and the basement door at the water holding tank will not open. The latch flops and does not feel connected. Any suggestions out there????

[chief400]

Originally Posted by wmmaryyoung

I have a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star and the basement door at the water holding tank will not open. The latch flops and does not feel connected. Any suggestions out there????

Something has broke or come loose inside the locking mechanism.You should be able to use a small blade screwdriver an push the latch open from underneath. That's what I did, very simple on mine

["007"]

All mine froze from salt corrosion one winter and had to use screwdriver as the Chief suggested.
Just have to get under latch with eye protection and pry.

[Phoggberg]

When you get the door open the latch can be pulled by removing the two screws that hold it from behind. If you slip off the back and look at the mechanism you will see that the handle pushes on an aluminum rocker (I forget what Newmar calls them) Mine broke at the pivot. I called newmar and ordered one. They are cheap (abt $3 if I remember correctly) but the shipping costs about $6. I ordered three so I have two spares. Maybe I should have ordered enough to replace them all... anyway 1 or 10 the shipping is the same.

[calhyatt]

Originally Posted by wmmaryyoung

I have a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star and the basement door at the water holding tank will not open. The latch flops and does not feel connected. Any suggestions out there????

Look under the door frame and you will see the plunger that is the actual part not moving. Use a flat bladed screwdriver and push this plunger up. The door will open and then you can remove the entire latch assembly and possibly get the little part that is broken off in the latch assembly the lifts the plunger. Good luck and Seeya on the road.