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fishn4fun · 12-20-2015, 03:55 PM

We just picked up our new to us 2004 Essex and on the way home with it we stopped to look at a couple of things and loo and behold we couldn't get the door to open.
The motorhome was parked in a heated shop for some time before we picked it up and it was -15C outside. No problems with the door in two trips to see it. When we stopped to check out some stuff we couldn't open it from the inside, so open the drivers side window and talk the wife into going through it and open from the outside (quite the site lol but I'm still alive). Ok it opens but will not open from the inside.

We now decide to head for home and figure out what to do, oops can't get out again and after an agonizing half our it jiggles and opens we sleep on it. Next morning we bring a bunch of stuff to load into it for our upcoming trip to Az and we can't get in, we thought it might be ice but after heating with a blow dryer for a while that didn't help, son pops by to pick something up and he tries it in latches 1 notch and we pop it open. Looks like the latch that closes on the pin sticks and when persuaded when the door is open sticks.

What can I do as we leave Xmas day to head south and I know nothing about how to get at the mechanism, we are closing the door only till it clicks once and lock the deadbolt it leaves just enough for me to pull on the door to get it to release but that won't do for while driving. Any help here would be appreciated

HavingABlast · 12-20-2015, 04:09 PM

Sorry to read about your door issues. For us, when inside the coach with both the door and the dead bolt locked...I first unlock the deadbolt then the door lock, then lift up on the door handle. If I do it the other way, the deadbolt is very hard or impossible to unlock. From the outside I do the same thing...unlock the dead bolt, unlock the door lock, then pull the door handle.

HavingABlast · 12-20-2015, 04:10 PM

Oh..congratulations on your new to you Essex...and welcome to the Newmar family.

fishn4fun · 12-20-2015, 04:59 PM

Should have said this is all without the locks

HavingABlast · 12-21-2015, 08:31 AM

You may want to, once the door is open, look at the door post. It may be dry and stuck in place. From what I've read here, the post is somewhat floating. It has a little play. If you cannot move it, your door might be binding on it. Loosen the post a bit. You may want to apply a small amount of lubricant to the metal to metal points. Good luck.

lostinfla · 12-21-2015, 11:37 AM

Sounds like a simple (?) adjustment of the striker. Mark around the base with a pencil (so you know your starting point), then loosen it slightly and tap it (probably towards the outside first) just a smidge. Patience and perseverance should cure the problem in a short time.

fishn4fun · 12-21-2015, 04:59 PM

Will try both suggestions and see what happens but it seems when you pull on the door handle it just doesn't quite pull hard enough to open the latch

alvo · 12-21-2015, 05:09 PM

Some latches have adjustments that can be made with a thin-walled socket wrench once a cover is removed on the edge of the door. On mine, there is no adjustment and the door won't open sometimes because there is a warp between the body and the door. If I push in slightly at the bottom, it opens perfectly. You might inspect the fit of your door against the coach wall and see if that's an issue.