Community Forums

GerryB54 · 01-05-2008, 04:53 PM

We have a two mirrored door wardrobe closet in the bedroom that has started cracking at the hinges top and bottom on one of the doors.

The forward door seems to open during travel, most likely left swinging and causing the cracking, and the flexing top and bottom allow it to open even more times.

I removed it today, and see that it must have been happening for a while, as someone tried to glue the stress cracks together.

I'm thinking of pressing the cracks tight with a carpenter's vise, then using 90 degree flat metal brackets screwed into both corners of the door frame (on the inside of the door).

May also have to install a travel latch on the door to keep it closed, seems to be in a location where it will open continually.

Any other suggestions?

GerryB54 · 01-05-2008, 04:53 PM

We have a two mirrored door wardrobe closet in the bedroom that has started cracking at the hinges top and bottom on one of the doors.

The forward door seems to open during travel, most likely left swinging and causing the cracking, and the flexing top and bottom allow it to open even more times.

I removed it today, and see that it must have been happening for a while, as someone tried to glue the stress cracks together.

I'm thinking of pressing the cracks tight with a carpenter's vise, then using 90 degree flat metal brackets screwed into both corners of the door frame (on the inside of the door).

May also have to install a travel latch on the door to keep it closed, seems to be in a location where it will open continually.

Any other suggestions?

travel · 01-05-2008, 05:01 PM

Think about a T bracket to screw on the back of the center post also. I had to put a T bracket on the top of the cuboard on the kitchen slideout. Tight and solid now!

GerryB54 · 01-06-2008, 04:35 AM

Thanks, travel...it's the mirrored door itself that has cracked/joints separated (before I bought it/joints attempted to be glued), so no place for the T bracket...just thinking of using the 90 degree flat brackets on the backside/upper and lower corners of the door on the hinged side...just don't want to screw too far in where they come out the front...

Rocky 2 · 01-06-2008, 04:48 AM

Look also to the clothes hanging in the closet. On ours, the right door would swing open while traveling. This was caused by my wife's stuff swinging against the door which also left the light on.

travel · 01-07-2008, 11:47 AM

On my last post to you, I should have mentioned that I had to move one of the cabnet latches either down or up to make sure that the door stayed closed. Also had a problem with clothes falling off the wooden rod. Made a PVC bracket to support it and my wife came up with the idea of hanging items with two hangers. Having them face from opposite directions.Works well on curvey roads. Good luck.

Rocky 2 · 01-08-2008, 04:32 AM

We also suspended a second rod for the wife's clothes. I did this so she could reach them easier. Before attaching such a rod, try putting the rod throufh some swimming pool hose. Hangers don't shift as much that way.

GerryB54 · 01-08-2008, 09:18 AM

I used a couple metal corner braces to stiffen up the upper and lower hinge corners...just thinking with this model there's a little flex while traveling at this location, none of the other cabinet doors open during travel.

The cracking that happened probably came from the previous owners not knowing the door was swinging open during travel and I'm guessing the weight and the road conditions caused the door to start cracking.

I think it will still pop open during travel, have to try a hook and eye setup there to keep it closed during travel, I'm, guessing.

Thanks everyone for posting.

02Bounder · 03-19-2008, 05:53 PM

I had the same problem, after I re-glued my corner joints I started to use a spring rod inside each side of the wardrobe half way down in front of the clothes to prevent the clothes from swinging against the door during travel. It has been a year and many miles since I did this and yet to have to doors swing open.

rjf7g · 03-19-2008, 06:05 PM

Depending upon the style and location of handles, rubber bands (big ones like you get on broccoli or asparagus) might be helpful.

dickfrompasadena · 03-20-2008, 03:14 AM

The metal bracket should help. I would also drill a hole in the side of the joint and glue in a dowell. This, along with the bracket, would be stronger that the origional.

GerryB54 · 03-20-2008, 03:17 AM

The hook and eye setup is keeping it from opening fully, but on a recent exercise trip, I see it still pops out of the latch holders.

It's only this one door, and my temporary solution with the hook/eye seems to be working.

It doesn't activate the light, and isn't opening and closing, swinging during travel any more.

I could have tried different door latching hardware, and still might...thanks everyone.

GerryB54 · 10-23-2008, 04:24 PM

Decided a few weeks ago to call Fleetwood and order a new door frame. The first one arrived broken in the box, the second one had to be made from their woodworking supplier and was packed a little better.

Removed the old door, removed the hardware, pulled out the mirror stays, the wood backing and the mirror, then installed the mirror in the new frame, clamped the old frame to the new one, drilled through the old frame into the new so everything lined up the same and installed the hardware.

I did get new, smaller metal support angles to put on the corners and drilled and screwed them in as well.

Installed the new door to the cabinet frame with heavier, thicker screws at the hinges...door seems to latch tighter and feels like it may not pop open in transit, will have to test it tomorrow.

FYI, cost of the wardrobe door frame from Fleetwood was $70 and $30 shipping.

tmar10 · 10-24-2008, 04:33 AM

The rear wardrobe door fell apart in my wife's lap a few weeks ago as she was showing off the camper to a friend from work. I cleaned and reglued all joints and reinstalled the door. I may go back and install the support angles as well.