Community Forums

Christine539 · 08-18-2022, 04:41 PM

We have a 2007 Roadtrek 210 Popular. We are 500 miles from home and the latch that locks the large driver’s side outside storage drawer (that includes the sewer hoses and some storage) has broken. Of course no RV Repair place has appointments available and we looked to see if we could replace it ourselves if we found the part but we weren’t able to find the part. Are are scheduled to be home in a week. Any suggestions on how to «*MacGyver*» the drawer to stay locked while we drive home? Thanks for your help.

Flyer15015 · 08-18-2022, 04:48 PM

Gorilla Tape.

Winterbagoal · 08-18-2022, 05:01 PM

Locked? No. Keep it from opening on right hand turns? Maybe.
Got bungee cords? Or, picture hanging wire? Both available at Walmart.
Find a quiet parking lot somewhere with a 4" curbed sidewalk at one side of it, that looks like it sees little to no foot traffic. Preferably with a wiiiiide sidewalk, with no obstructions on the side away from the parking surface. You'll need some room for error.
Back your Roadtrek up to the curb at a 90 degree angle to the sidewalk with the back wheels just touching the parking lot side of the curb. Using the throttle with great discretion, and still in reverse, give the engine a little gas and see of you can get the butt of the Roadtrek to back/bump up over the curb and onto the sidewalk. This gives you the clearance to get undeneath it and figure out where to attach one end of the bungee cord or picture hanging wire underneath the drawer. Don't attach it to anything hot, like the exhaust pipes/muffler. Run the other end out from uunderneath and attach it to either the fridge vents or the water heater (after removing the cover).
It's about the best MacGyvering I can come up with on short notice. I see there's not much clearance to get underneath those beasties, like my 2002 Popular. Once you can get underneath, just use something to keep the drawer from sliding open on right hand turns. If you use wire, consider wrapping it with something to help protect your paint/fibreglass.
Good luck.
p.s. Flyer's solution isn't bad either, but not as much fun as mine.

Christine539 · 08-18-2022, 06:18 PM

Gorilla tape was our first thought and I bought a huge roll before this trip. Re getting under the rig: we are on Whidbey Island and we will have to look around for a parking lot as described. Our RV repair shop back home suggested a ratchet strap and getting under the rig is going to be a challenge. Thanks for those 2 suggestions!

Winterbagoal · 08-18-2022, 06:55 PM

I've done the f or r tires up slightly higher than the other end to get under.it to fix stuff. Dump hose pipe once, generator tailpipe once. My 2002 was pretty easy to bump up on the "curb jack"
for underneath repairs. Lie on a piece of cardboard makes it a bit more comfortable and less dirty.

Christine539 · 08-21-2022, 02:49 PM

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. The combination of a rachet strap and gorilla tape has worked perfectly!

Winterbagoal · 08-21-2022, 04:14 PM

The ratchet strap was a good idea. Adjustable and less permanent than some of the other solutions. And you still have (fairly easy) access to the drawer.

Finding a replacement latch will be the next challenge. Not sure where you're from or headed, but there are a couple of RV dealers in the Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge, Ontario, Canada area (near Roadtrek's original home on Shirley Ave) that might be able to help.
Don's Trailer Service and Mobilife RV Centre are 2 that come to mind. Used them both back when I had a 2002 Roadtrek 190P. Well worth the drive back then.
Ashland, OR might be a bit too far

, but shipping a small part might be worth a look?