What is the secret to making the door close without slamming it?

[scottandanna]

I have to hold the latch open while closing it to make it latch, otherwise, you need to slam it VERY hard, and I don't want to do that. Too noisy, and cannot be good for the door or latch.

Any secrets to making it so it will close easily without having to hold the latch or slam it?

[Mr_D]

On our Dutch Star the grandkids pulled the secondary handle (not the latch handle) right out of the door. Had to use bigger screws to put it back. There was a "knack" to it. Needed to pull long and hard enough to get it closed but let go in time so the handle didn't get pulled too hard.

[scottandanna]

I swapped out the stock handle with one with a keypad, but still needs to be slammed to close.

I bent the "ramp" that pushes the jamb in while closing, hoping to make it a more gradual ramp, but still not quite what I want.

I am wondering if I need to put a spacer, somehow, in the handle assembly so that the jamb doesn't hit so far up and needs to be moved so far.

[Dutch Star Don]

Often, the latch and lock assembly just need a good lubing. Some of the RV's have a floating striker so that the door open/closes easily. If you have a floating striker, make sure you lube that too.

[twogypsies]

ScottandAnna: You're leaving tomorrow, right? Have a wonderful repair-free one!

[NRR]

I just hold the latch open till the door is closed in a quiet manner. Then I release the latch.

Done this on every RV I have had. If I cannot lock the door I pull on the other handle till I can lock the door.

[scottandanna]

Originally Posted by NRR

I just hold the latch open till the door is closed in a quiet manner. Then I release the latch.

Done this on every RV I have had. If I cannot lock the door I pull on the other handle till I can lock the door.

This is what we are doing right now. So, this difficulty closing is pretty typical?

Be nice to be able to do it with one hand, since most of the time I have a dog, cat, or a load of whatever-we-are-loading-into-the-trailer, and have to throw it down on the floor or bed before I can close the door.

[scottandanna]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

ScottandAnna: You're leaving tomorrow, right? Have a wonderful repair-free one!

Not til Wednesday morning, but thanks anyway!

I am a fixer. Nothing is ever "repair-free". I have a full set of tools, plus some. I will be upgrading and modifying all the time. Just the way I am with all my toys.

[Lv2Roam2]

Scott and Anna
We need more folks like you who care about the assorted noise (and other stuff) we do / make in our RV environment...thanks for caring. I messed with the alignment of the door latching system and used a fair bit of lube ... also cut some teflon pads to fit around the door jamb close to the latch - helps a bit. Have also had some luck holding the handle in the 'open' position as the latch contacts and then 'timing the release to latch the door.'

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by scottandanna

Not til Wednesday morning, but thanks anyway!

I am a fixer. Nothing is ever "repair-free". I have a full set of tools, plus some. I will be upgrading and modifying all the time. Just the way I am with all my toys.

I'm sure we'll be hearing from you as you travel! Keep us informed.

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by scottandanna

I have to hold the latch open while closing it to make it latch, otherwise, you need to slam it VERY hard, and I don't want to do that. Too noisy, and cannot be good for the door or latch.

Any secrets to making it so it will close easily without having to hold the latch or slam it?

In my previous TT I had to remove the screws and put small washers under the strike plate for the screen door, where the plate was mounted to the door frame. It was just a little too far away from the latch. That was the opposite problem.

My new TT had the same problem you describe, always had to slam the door. So just last week I loosened the screws holding the strike plate for the main door, and re positioned it slightly. Now it catches very nicely, no slamming necessary.

In other words, it should be just a minor adjustment. Good luck!

Roger

[scottandanna]

Originally Posted by rkresge

In my previous TT I had to remove the screws and put small washers under the strike plate for the screen door, where the plate was mounted to the door frame. It was just a little too far away from the latch. That was the opposite problem.

My new TT had the same problem you describe, always had to slam the door. So just last week I loosened the screws holding the strike plate for the main door, and re positioned it slightly. Now it catches very nicely, no slamming necessary.

In other words, it should be just a minor adjustment. Good luck!

Roger

Now that you said that...I wonder if adjusting the strike plate at a slight angle, so the top is leaning toward the outside of the trailer, and the bottom toward the inside, might make it a smoother ramp.

That adds another adjustment that I can experiment with.

[scottandanna]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

I'm sure we'll be hearing from you as you travel! Keep us informed.

I have created a "closed group" on Facebook where I will be uploading pictures and documenting our trip. I guarantee there will be many pictures of waterfalls, hiking trails, things we see on the road, etc.

If anyone would like to be included into the group, PM me a short message with your Facebook "handle" and let me know why you are interested, or what you are doing on your travels, and I will add you to the group.

I ask for a short intro from you just because I don't want 500 people asking to join, who I do not know. If you are really interested and want to join, then please take the time to give just a short couple sentence-long introduction to tell us who you are, so that we "know" you.

[0rion]

yeah....if you figure this one out be sure to let the rest of us know. I'm tired of threatening the kids.