Upper Door with Wood Rot

I just bought a 2006 TM 2720 and when I was putting it away for only the 2nd time, I had the bottom aluminum frame of the upper door come off revealing rotten wood.

I have searched the forums and found many older posts about restoring and fixing wood rotting problems from TMs built in the 1990s. I also read the posts regarding fixing latches when they pull out of the shells.

But my question relates to the door specifically. Is it hard to take off? If not, then the repair will be much easier.

Also is the door prone to wood rot? It seems to me (haven't had time to investigate yet), that water must be coming from the top of the door and making its way down and pooling (there is an aluminum frame that was holding it all together).

Do I need to be worried that the rest of the wood on my new TM is rotten?

My final question is in regard to the closing procedure. When I put my foot in the stirrup to latch it, I have nothing to hold onto to keep my balance. What I grabbed onto last night was the bottom of the top door (I was closing the front shell). When I grabbed it, the aluminum frame came off revealing the rotten wood. Obviously this needs fixing, but I'm wondering what you guys hold onto when stepping up on the stirrup.

Thanks for all your help. This forum has been invaluable.

I think the door is about the last place to have wood in any area that could rot. I have a 2004 and it has the same issue and the water comes in at the bottom of the aluminum frame which is not caulked (at least not on mine. I did not remove mine, just removed the bottom aluminum and put in a new piece of treated wood and caulked.

[Barb&Tim]

I'm wondering what you guys hold onto when stepping up on the stirrup.

I have always put both hands on the edge of the roof and pull down with my hands while stepping down on the stirrup.

Yim

[MariaG]

We took it off, I don't remember it being difficult. I don't think there are specific instructions on my blog, but there are some pics of the door repair. Click on the link below in my signature, hope this helps!

And for the stirrup, I do the same as Tim, hold onto the roof - or one of the kids shoulders if they're nearby.

Originally Posted by Barb&Tim

I have always put both hands on the edge of the roof and pull down with my hands while stepping down on the stirrup.

Yim

One caution: If the stirrup is wet or slippery, be careful not to let your foot slip off and catch the power cord on the curb side that runs up the support. It will pull it loose from the bottom frame.

I have problems using the stirrup, big feet and bad knees being the 2 most prominent. My solution was a piece of pipe, a length of chain that fits through that pipe and connects to the stirrup using 2 s hooks, whole thing about $10. I connect to the stirrup with the S hooks and now have a lower thing to step onto with a bigger opening for my big shoe to get into. I have a better center of gravity, can step more down (not good english I know) on it and it closes easier for me. I do try to always grasp the roofl, never ever the doors or the awning.

[mcgyver210]

Originally Posted by clown9644

I have problems using the stirrup, big feet and bad knees being the 2 most prominent. My solution was a piece of pipe, a length of chain that fits through that pipe and connects to the stirrup using 2 s hooks, whole thing about $10. I connect to the stirrup with the S hooks and now have a lower thing to step onto with a bigger opening for my big shoe to get into. I have a better center of gravity, can step more down (not good english I know) on it and it closes easier for me. I do try to always grasp the roofl, never ever the doors or the awning.

That is the best solution I have heard actually implemented. Do you have pics of it, I have been thinking of doing something like this that would help my wife close the TM easier in-case something happens to me on a trip.

Sorry, I guess I need more education on how to add pictures, but here are two of the stirrup attachment with notes:

The pipe is 8 inches long of 1.2 inch galvanized pipe

The chain is 28 inches long, sized to fit through the pipe

The S hooks are about 1 1/2 inches long


http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...1&d=1335042234
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...1&d=1335042234

It makes it much easier for me to close the unit down!
Dave

[Bill]

Many years ago, we had a member that devised a slightly different approach. He used a longer piece of pipe (maybe 24 or 30 inches?) He attached a big S-hook to one end of the pipe, to go over the stirrup, and put the other end of the pipe on the ground. I think the whole thing was a bit more stable - less likely to toss you off as you step on it, and it lets you step away from the trailer a couple inches.

Bill

[mcgyver210]

Originally Posted by clown9644

Sorry, I guess I need more education on how to add pictures, but here are two of the stirrup attachment with notes:

The pipe is 8 inches long of 1.2 inch galvanized pipe

The chain is 28 inches long, sized to fit through the pipe

The S hooks are about 1 1/2 inches long


http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...1&d=1335042234
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...1&d=1335042234

It makes it much easier for me to close the unit down!
Dave

I like that approach, looks like it could really help with a little better leverage.

Thanks for posting the instructions.