Community Forums

LouK23 · 04-15-2017, 12:35 PM

Has anyone else experienced have a storage compartment door pop open when the coach goes over a level change? This has recently occurred twice, once when pulling into a gas station and another when pulling into a driveway where the level change between the road and the parking lot was significant. In both cases, the compartment doors were locked and we checked to make sure they were locked and closed by pulling on them before leaving. We inspected the locking mechanism and it works and holds perfectly when the coach is on level ground. The only thing I can think is that the coach flexes and allows the latch to come undone. If this has happened to anyone else, we'd like to know how you solved the problem.

MSHappyCampers · 04-15-2017, 03:20 PM

I think the latches just need to be adjusted. Even though they won't come open when you pull on them, when they're twisted slightly they pop open. I had to adjust all of mine. Some would latch properly, some not!

It's a simple procedure to adjust them!

windsorbill · 04-15-2017, 03:29 PM

I have doors that open horizontally, not vertically. The latch that is attached to the jamb is a 'U' shaped bolt. I can tap it gently with a hammer and it will engage the lock enough to keep door from popping open. If you have the same set up, tap it VERY gently as it will bend too much otherwise.

**TonyDi** · 04-15-2017, 03:30 PM

It's a simple adjustment.

vsheetz · 04-15-2017, 03:41 PM

Mine sound similar, and are a pain to adjust... easy to get too tight, or too loose - difficult to get just right. IMO.

10Boomer · 04-15-2017, 09:49 PM

It takes a little of time and feel to adjust them right. I was shown how to at QZ this year. Light taps, and a 7/16 wrench.

LouK23 · 04-16-2017, 01:51 AM

Joe, the doors on our Knight open horizontally. Can you please tell me exactly how you "adjusted" them to make them hold better? Thanks

LouK23 · 04-16-2017, 01:52 AM

Bill, tap the "U" bolt part which way? Downward? The way the "U" portions are mounted, they are on a flexible piece of the inner door surround.

LouK23 · 04-16-2017, 01:53 AM

Simply, maybe, but I don't see an obvious way to adjust them. Any detailed help would be appreciated.

LouK23 · 04-16-2017, 01:56 AM

on the TOP of the "U" bolt portion that engages the door catch system?

nodine · 04-16-2017, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouK23

Has anyone else experienced have a storage compartment door pop open when the coach goes over a level change? This has recently occurred twice, once when pulling into a gas station and another when pulling into a driveway where the level change between the road and the parking lot was significant. In both cases, the compartment doors were locked and we checked to make sure they were locked and closed by pulling on them before leaving. We inspected the locking mechanism and it works and holds perfectly when the coach is on level ground. The only thing I can think is that the coach flexes and allows the latch to come undone. If this has happened to anyone else, we'd like to know how you solved the problem.

We have an older coach (2006 Diplomat) and have put up with this problem since owning the coach. Your problem may be fixable by adjusting the latch mechanism as others have stated. We adjusted ours many times and the door still would pop open when the coach negotiated a dip or curb. We were concerned that one day it would pop open and strike another vehicle so finally attached a loop to the inside of the door and attache a bungee cord to the loop before closing the door. When we open the door the bungee stretches enough to allow us to remove it from the loop and hook it around the U-bolt part of the latch on the coach frame. That prevents us from closing the door without reattaching the bungee to the door. We are sure this problem is caused by frame flex. The higher end coaches with the S-series frame should not have this problem.

Bob

Drifter · 04-16-2017, 06:26 AM

You didn't mention what year coach you had. After seeing that you have a 2013 Night, the doors I believe are more tune with the Fleetwood style latch system.
Maybe a picture would help.

MSHappyCampers · 04-16-2017, 02:10 PM

This may sound a little extreme, but the best way to adjust them is to lay down inside the storage bay with your tools and a good headlight, and have an assistant outside to open and close the door while you get the adjustment just right!

Traps90 · 04-16-2017, 08:02 PM

We have a 2013 Diplomat that would have the same latches as yours. Since I didn't think the backing for the U-bolt wasn;t all that thick, I took off the U-bolts and put the nuts back on the U-Bolts and placed them in a vice and tapped lightly with a hammer to bend the U-bolt about 1/8" closer to the latch.

This definitely cured my problem.