Upper half of Dutch door latch while collapsed

stormpeakco · 07-08-2015, 06:36 AM

Has anyone felt the need to augment (duct tape, bungie or?) the single, small, nylon, swivel catch for the upper half of the dutch door (while collapsed)?
(hasn't happened yet, but would like to prevent the horror of looking out the right side view mirror and seeing it swinging freely and slamming forward during braking).

TrailManorMan · 07-08-2015, 07:31 AM

I saw mine flapping in the breeze once, stopped and re-latched and hasn't happened again.

**Bill** · 07-08-2015, 07:39 AM

It happens quite often to me. Except at very low speeds, the airflow past the trailer keeps the door closed, so there is no slamming. But it shouldn't happen, and leaves open the possibility of whacking the door on a tree in a campground, or the outside mirror on another car.

I have sworn to "invent" a better latch, but haven't yet gotten to it. I hate to think of using duct tape because of the sticky residue.

I'll post when I come up with a better solution.

Bill

stormpeakco · 07-08-2015, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

It happens quite often to me. Except at very low speeds, the airflow past the trailer keeps the door closed, so there is no slamming. But it shouldn't happen, and leaves open the possibility of whacking the door on a tree in a campground, or the outside mirror on another car.

I have sworn to "invent" a better latch, but haven't yet gotten to it. I hate to think of using duct tape because of the sticky residue.

I'll post when I come up with a better solution.

Bill

Agree on residual duct tape adhesive.
Perhaps a bungee hooked to upper Dutch door plastic wheel (hokey) and attached to the aft edge of the collapsed front section may serve as a temporary fix.
Shirley, some of the sophisticated-experienced folks on this forum have considered something more efficient & sightly??

MarkoPolo · 07-08-2015, 10:06 AM

Not the final answer, but gafer tape has almost no residue. Has almost completely replaced duct tape (only use when I need to label something). I get mine from B&H photo.

**mjlaupp** · 07-08-2015, 10:16 AM

A search on upper door latch turned up : http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...per+door+latch

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-08-2015, 10:43 AM

As I posted a few years ago in the thread Mike referenced, I used a piece of nylon bar stock about 3/16" thick and 1" wide, which you can make as long as you like -- mine is about 2 inches long. You can buy some from Amazon, McMaster, etc. I drilled a hole for the screw, and the screw tightness determines how tight the latch holds. I find it much more effective than the original turn latch, and my door has not ever opened since I started using it. I think it was a replica of what holds the 2 door halves together when the TM is set up, and I sanded one of the corners to make it slip over the door easier.

When I went to the TM factory a few years ago for their "tune-up", they took it off and replaced it with one of the original crappy turn thingies. Fortunately, I noticed it before I left, and I retrieved my magic latch.

Dave

tentcamper · 07-08-2015, 10:46 AM

We had it happen to us a lot when we first got the camper. Flapping open when stopping. I finally tightened the plastic tab until it is difficult to move and has not happen anymore.

**OregonTrail** · 07-08-2015, 11:36 AM

The upper door did come open when we were bringing our TM home for the first time. We had plans to come up with some replacement for the blade latch, but we have not done it. We did tighten the screw (which helped) and we now travel with a couple of pieces of painter's tape (won't leave goo on the paint) on the upper door just for peace of mind.

stormpeakco · 07-08-2015, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito

As I posted a few years ago in the thread Mike referenced, I used a piece of nylon bar stock about 3/16" thick and 1" wide, which you can make as long as you like -- mine is about 2 inches long. You can buy some from Amazon, McMaster, etc. I drilled a hole for the screw, and the screw tightness determines how tight the latch holds. I find it much more effective than the original turn latch, and my door has not ever opened since I started using it. I think it was a replica of what holds the 2 door halves together when the TM is set up, and I sanded one of the corners to make it slip over the door easier.

When I went to the TM factory a few years ago for their "tune-up", they took it off and replaced it with one of the original crappy turn thingies. Fortunately, I noticed it before I left, and I retrieved my magic latch.

Dave

Thanks for all of the feedback (gaffer tape, list of available parts etc), y'all.
Our little swivel latch for the upper Dutch door is riveted and so tightening isn't really possible. ShrimpBurrito, any pics?
(As if there aren't enough items to keep track of while towing...now another--coming to a STOP sign I'll be glancing out the right side mirror. should it come loose, I'm happy the door is of little mass and the air cushion may keep it from slamming the side of the coach or worse).