How to Break In (Jammed/Broken Door Latch)

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Our coach is a typical small Class A, having a single door. I had masked the inside of the door for painting. Removing the masking tape, I elected to slightly back out the inside latch plate screws to make that easier. I ran the screws back in and shut the door without testing it beforehand. I found myself outside the coach, staring at the door latch, the paddle of which was binding, and not opening the latch. Both locks worked fine.

Lesson #1: When working on the door, unlock and open a window through
which you can climb into the coach.

It would have helped had I learned Lesson #1 before I shut the door.

Lesson #2: It pays to have an unexcitable best buddy who knows about RVs
within reach during an emergency.

Two cool heads are better than none!

Lesson #3: (This is highly specific to the coach) Break in through the
forward fan.

Pry up the fan cover on the side opposite the cover arm. Remove the two screws on the cover arm that hold it to the cover, aft screw first. Remove the fan (four screws). Cut out the screen with a utility knife. Using a pole (10 feet was enough) with a loop of line attached to it, hook the interior door latch handle and pull upward. It may help to have someone pulling on the outside latch paddle at the same time.

Lesson #4: If the door opens, immediately unlock and open a window through
which you can climb into the coach.

Even at my age, where "senior moments" occur more frequently, I doubt I will forget these lessons before I die.

At one point I had a hammer in my hand and a window within reach, but thought better of it.

An alternative would have been to cut the latch apart with a multisaw. I thought better of that, too.

Our coach's windshield needs to be removed and reseated, but I didn't want to even start down that road (New England Fall weather and all that means).

If this little vignette helps someone avoid the problem, or recover from it, I'll be happy- but not near as happy as I was when daylight came through that door!

[bdpreece]

Sent you a private message.

[thunderjet]

This happen to a neighbor and he ask me to help.
I drill about a 1/4" hole 1/2" deep centered on key hole, tumbler fell out and we could slide latch open. Easy to replace barrel and keys.

Not sure if this would have worked for you.

TJ
,

[Tha_Rooster]

If bdpreece advise doesn't work I can tell you how to get in with NO damage in 5 minutes or less.

[Bob_C]

Got a laundry shute to basement?

[Dale70]

I am curious about Tha_Rooster's solution.

We were in Whitehouse BC on our Alaska trip about six weeks ago and the door would not open.
Wife was on inside with me outside.
I eventually removed inner door plastic plate (after climbing through a side window) and jiggled enough things to get it to open.

I later permanently solved the issue with a hole I drilled, and screw securing some parts of door together inside.

The issue was not the latch or deadbolt -- it was inner door mechanism that ties things together.

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Incidentally, when I was working on the door later in a Hershey PA RV Park,, the factory people from Tififn were setting up a motorhome for Bob Tiffin to use while he was at the Hershey RV show. When asked how they get into a modern Class A RV from the outside with a door issue, their answer was to TORCH the door and replace the whole thing later. ----
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thanks -- Dale

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by Dale70

I am curious about Tha_Rooster's solution.



We were in Whitehouse BC on our Alaska trip about six weeks ago and the door would not open.

Wife was on inside with me outside.

I eventually removed inner door plastic plate (after climbing through a side window) and jiggled enough things to get it to open.



I later permanently solved the issue with a hole I drilled, and screw securing some parts of door together inside.



The issue was not the latch or deadbolt -- it was inner door mechanism that ties things together.

------------

Incidentally, when I was working on the door later in a Hershey PA RV Park,, the factory people from Tififn were setting up a motorhome for Bob Tiffin to use while he was at the Hershey RV show. When asked how they get into a modern Class A RV from the outside with a door issue, their answer was to TORCH the door and replace the whole thing later. ----

-------------



thanks --

Drill a small hole through the window frame carefully not to hit glass, push a large paper clip or something like it to push window lock up and you are in to unlock door. Take a small dot of black silicone to cover hole which you couldn't see anyway since it the size of a paper clip.

[FatChance]

I always keep at least one window unlocked.

[Dale70]

Rooster that sounds interesting. However -- the window on our enrty door is fixed and there are no door locks like you describe. The entry doors on Eagles (and I assume ofher high end Fleetwoods of the era) are aircraft quality aluminum doors with very large aluminum hinges and special inner mechanisms.

thx Dale

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by Dale70

Rooster that sounds interesting. However -- the window on our enrty door is fixed and there are no door locks like you describe. The entry doors on Eagles (and I assume ofher high end Fleetwoods of the era) are aircraft quality aluminum doors with very large aluminum hinges and special inner mechanisms.



thx Dale

Sorry for the misunderstanding I was talking about how to get in when the door is locked, getting in thru a side window.