Is the front door of the DP a big source of noise?

[dan-nickie]

No noise from the door on my Berkshire.

[Tall Tex]

If you want real quite, try an Entegra. The door has a second latch near the top front of the door that is air operated when the parking brake is released. It also has air activated locks on all the pocket doors to keep them from rattling. The door also has a faring on the front edge to divert the wind.

[DD788Snipe]

My front door was manufactured by PTL Engineering Inc. and has a pneumatic slide latch on the hinge side of the door that engages when the parking brake is released. It wasn't working when I purchased the coach and it rattled and had lots of wind noise. I repaired it by installing a new solenoid valve, regulator and had to run a new air line up the door jamb. It's all silent now.

[RLC06]

Love our DP. Have not noticed any real wind noise. Does have a squeak on rough roads...DH said might need to be adjusted or seal lubed but it's nothing bad and definitely doesn't take from our pleasure of road tripping!

[36PFT]

Our front door had a squeak on concrete roads. Stan added the electrical tape to the latch....no more noise!!! He just has to replace the tape on occasion. Adjusting the door did not help with squeak...tape was the answer. There isn't any wind noise either.

[FIRE UP]

OP,
Having a door near the front of the coach, as in about 99.99% of most D/P units, can often be presented with it's own set of issues to deal with, than a door in the middle of a coach. There are different wind/turbulence effects at the front corner, than there are half way down the length of a rolling Kleenex box.

So, the seals alone, may have more stress on them to prevent intrusive air/turbulence. Second, different coach manufacturers hinge and support the front door differently from each other. And, not only that but, some of those front doors are considerably heavier than their mid-coach counterparts. The fitment between the outer perimeter of a door and the door jamb, sill and header is of better quality and fit on some, than others.

And that's where the seal comes into play. If the seal can have enough flex and support, then no matter what kind of built in gap there is, the seal can and, often will, do it's job and the result is, a quieter and better riding door, with less to no wind whistles.

But, as time and mileage take their tolls, these door-to-seal conditions, often worsen. A new seal quite possibly could be the answer if, one is experiencing those wind issues.

There are mechanical issues as well. If, as I stated above, you have a heavier door, then it could be leaning or failing at the hinges, causing rubbing, latch noise, excessive latch wear, and door sill wear. Pretty tough to deal with situations like that but, not impossible.

We have an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT and, a front door. We love it. It does however, develop a propensity for seal rub/screeching during rougher road conditions every now and then. I've been diligent in checking all door hinge mount screws on a periodic basis to make sure that the door is not sagging and causing excessive seal pressure and wear. And, every once in a while, I spray down a paper towel with spray silicone and wipe the entire door seal, all the way around.

That will provide a lube between the seal and the door. That allows any door movement exerted by coach movement, i.e. bad roads, etc. to move more freely without squeaking/etching and and, will also provide a tad bit better seal due to the fact that, that Silicone will actually soften the seal a tad which, will provide a better fit between any gaps, screw heads, dips, ledges (hinge edges etc.).

So, this is just some of what can be done to help a front door/jamb relationship endure time and miles. Good luck.
Scott

[WyoFree]

Thanks Scott for that excellent post. From the many things I've read on the noise issue. One of them most certainly that helps keep things quieted down is keeping the seals on the door and slides properly lubricated.

A Motorhome is something you need to keep up with and of that I have no doubt! I'm actually looking forward to it. Not because I'm a crazy person, although there is that, but more because I've always found something you take care of will take care of you!

Thanks for your post Scott and all who have participated!

Harry

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

Thanks Scott for that excellent post. From the many things I've read on the noise issue. One of them most certainly that helps keep things quieted down is keeping the seals on the door and slides properly lubricated.

A Motorhome is something you need to keep up with and of that I have no doubt! I'm actually looking forward to it. Not because I'm a crazy person, although there is that, but more because I've always found something you take care of will take care of you!

Thanks for your post Scott and all who have participated!

Harry

Harry,
You're most certainly welcome. Yep, no doubt about it, motor homes are something one definitely needs to keep up on. Glad to be of some help here.
Scott

[smlranger]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

Thanks Scott for that excellent post. From the many things I've read on the noise issue. One of them most certainly that helps keep things quieted down is keeping the seals on the door and slides properly lubricated.

A Motorhome is something you need to keep up with and of that I have no doubt! I'm actually looking forward to it. Not because I'm a crazy person, although there is that, but more because I've always found something you take care of will take care of you!

Thanks for your post Scott and all who have participated!

Harry

IMO, you have to be a little crazy to own a motorhome 😁.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by smlranger

IMO, you have to be a little crazy to own a motorhome 😁.

Roger that!!
Scott

[Lisablue85]

Our Dream is quiet, no noise whatsoever.

[WyoFree]

I agree Lisa, a noisy coach is a er, noisy coach!

[Lisablue85]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

I agree Lisa, a noisy coach is a er, noisy coach!

Lol! 😉