Replacing a TrailManor Two-Piece Exterior Door Latch

[BCMOYER]

Hi all,

I have a 2021 2720QB which I love. The one thing about it is dont love is the latch that holds the two parts of the exterior door together. The original latch tore out after the first year or so.

After countless attempts to repair it I gave up and installed this instead.

This works and flexes with the door as it shifts when opening and closing, but it's bulky and ugly. I was wondering if anyone came up with a better way of replacing the original latch.

We're off for our first trip of the year shortly but I'm looking forward to learning from your experiences and maybe finding a better fix for this.

Thanks all!

Brandon

 

[Bill]

It is possible that near the door, the wall of the lower box does not stand up at exactly a right angle from the floor, but leans out a bit. The door latch can force it into place, but it puts a lot of stress on the latch.This is a rather minor issue, but can cause the latch to pull out, as you saw.

To check if this is the problem:
1. Unlatch the two halves of the entry door, and swing both closed. Verify that the top of the lower door, and the bottom of the upper door, meet nicely all the way across.
2. Now swing both doors open 90 degrees, away from the trailer, and watch the area where they meet. The halves should not separate as they swing out. If they separate, the wall of the lower box is not quite upright on the floor, and needs to be adjusted.

To adjust it if needed:
3. Standing outside the trailer, open the door, and look near the floor on the right. You will see an attractive wooden triangle, held in place with a couple screws. Remove the triangle and set it aside.
4. Behind the triangle, you will see a sturdy steel angle bracket. The upright part of this bracket is attached to the wall. The flat part of the bracket has two bolts going down through the floor.
5. Outside the TM, under the floor, find the ends of the two bolts. Each one is secured with a nut. One at a time, hold the nut in place with a wrench, and use another wrench to screw down the head of the bolt. This draws the wall more upright. Adjust until the doors do not separate as they swing outward.

Previously discussed in posts #8 and #12 at Door Adjustment Bolts

 

[Kidkraz]

If you still have the top part, use long enough screws that go thru the thickness of the door, and secure with self locking nuts on the inside. I’d use stainless steel bolt/screws with washers under the head of the screw/bolt. Snug it down.

 

[BCMOYER]

It is possible that near the door, the wall of the lower box does not stand up at exactly a right angle from the floor, but leans out a bit. The door latch can force it into place, but it puts a lot of stress on the latch.This is a rather minor issue, but can cause the latch to pull out, as you saw.

To check if this is the problem:
1. Unlatch the two halves of the entry door, and swing both closed. Verify that the top of the lower door, and the bottom of the upper door, meet nicely all the way across.
2. Now swing both doors open 90 degrees, away from the trailer, and watch the area where they meet. The halves should not separate as they swing out. If they separate, the wall of the lower box is not quite upright on the floor, and needs to be adjusted.

To adjust it if needed:
3. Standing outside the trailer, open the door, and look near the floor on the right. You will see an attractive wooden triangle, held in place with a couple screws. Remove the triangle and set it aside.
4. Behind the triangle, you will see a sturdy steel angle bracket. The upright part of this bracket is attached to the wall. The flat part of the bracket has two bolts going down through the floor.
5. Outside the TM, under the floor, find the ends of the two bolts. Each one is secured with a nut. One at a time, hold the nut in place with a wrench, and use another wrench to screw down the head of the bolt. This draws the wall more upright. Adjust until the doors do not separate as they swing outward.

Previously discussed in posts #8 and #12 at Door Adjustment Bolts

I appreciate the advice! I'm looking at the camper now and I've found the triangle piece, but i dont see a way to remove it.

I also can't locate the bolts on the underside of the camper.

Unless it's that one in the center of the bracket?

I also found that the steps are not connected on the other side, which explains why that side has always sagged when weight is on it.

 

[Bill]

The triangle is purely decorative, not structural, so it used to be lightly mounted with its own small screws. Apparently TM has changed the mounting details since I dealt with it. Can you wiggle your fingers onto the back side of the triangle? I seem to recall that it was hollowed out on the backside, where the angle bracket lives.

Your pictures (well-done pix, by the way) suggest that the triangle may now be mounted with the same screws/bolts that hold the steps. In particular, the 2nd and 3rd pics that show the bend at the top of the steel bracket itself may be the location. Sorry I can't be more specific.

By the way, do your door halves separate as you swing them out for the doorway?

 

[Captain Gary]

Hi all,

I have a 2021 2720QB which I love. The one thing about it is dont love is the latch that holds the two parts of the exterior door together. The original latch tore out after the first year or so. View attachment 2453753After countless attempts to repair it I gave up and installed this instead.
View attachment 2453754
This works and flexes with the door as it shifts when opening and closing, but it's bulky and ugly. I was wondering if anyone came up with a better way of replacing the original latch.

We're off for our first trip of the year shortly but I'm looking forward to learning from your experiences and maybe finding a better fix for this.

Thanks all!

Brandon

Hi Brandon, I am new to TMs and the door latch is one of the things I want to improve upon. I was wondering if a pin sticking up from the bottom door and going into a hole on the top door would improve on the latch function. Has anyone else tried this and can comment on if it would work or not?

 

[BCMOYER]

I had this same thought at one point. It would make a secure connection between the two halves and if the doors misalign for any reason, even slightly, it would be far less likely to cause any damage. If you find anyone that's made this update please let us know!

 

[rich2468]

I appreciate the advice! I'm looking at the camper now and I've found the triangle piece, but i dont see a way to remove it.View attachment 2454203

I also can't locate the bolts on the underside of the camper.View attachment 2454204
Unless it's that one in the center of the bracket?

I also found that the steps are not connected on the other side, which explains why that side has always sagged when weight is on it.
View attachment 2454206

Hi BC- I have the same year (build August 2020, Model year 2021) 2922KB and have the exact same issue as you with the steps saging closer to the door latch side. It looks like TrailManor used a long mounting bracket at the front, but a short mounting bracket at the rear. I hadn't realized the cause until I saw your photo and then checked my step mounts.

I haven't had any issues with the dutch door latch; the orginal lock is holding...but if I come up with an idea for it or the steps, I'll reply via your thread.