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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: JimBroadhust on June 22, 2012, 04:09:10 pm

Title: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: JimBroadhust on June 22, 2012, 04:09:10 pm
Does anyone know how to fix the latch on the basement storage drawer.  I assume it had some kind of spring on it, but it must be gone.  It doesn't open the latch now.  I can't see how to get in to replace the spring if I could get one to replace it.

Jim and Twanna
1998 U270
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: Tony Pasquale on June 23, 2012, 08:59:17 am
Not sure I can explain this in print but here goes:

I had this happen and was told to try tapping around the outside latch assembly with a block of wood and hammer being careful to not damage the door to move the handle slightly to open. 

Then once opened lubricate where the cables are connected up on the door corners making sure they are opening and closing freely.  Periodically lubricate I try to make sure I do this at least once a year before season starts.

You can call 410 877-4816 for better verbal explanation.

Tony
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: JimBroadhust on June 23, 2012, 05:57:50 pm
My problem is the latch on the drawer that pulls out to store things on in the basement not the door to the basement if I understand your reply. 

Thanks for the input though.

Jim and Twanna
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: Tony Pasquale on June 24, 2012, 08:55:49 am
Oops, misunderstood your post...:-[

I just used the forum search for "Joey Bed" and found there have been quite a few discussions on this subject about latches in past, possibly you can find some answers.

Tony
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: P. Wyatt Sabourin on June 24, 2012, 12:21:31 pm
Jim and Twanna
Which drawer, the kitchen cupboard sized drawer over the propane tank or the 5 foot wide joey bed in the 6 foot basesment storage area?
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: JimBroadhust on June 24, 2012, 03:54:53 pm
The latch on the 5 foot wide joey bed in the basement storage area.

Jim
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: Don Hay on June 25, 2012, 02:44:10 pm
Jim,


Do you mean that you can't get the latch to release so that you can pull the Joey bed out?  Or that you can't get the latch to lock to prevent the Joey bed from opening when coach is turning a corner?  If it's the former, you might try pushing the bed in while lifting the latch, then pulling out. That works for me. I don't think my latch has a spring.  It's more of a gravity lock.    If the issue is that the latch won't stay locked, some of us have drilled a hole through the frame on the left side of the bed, install a threaded bolt and used a washer and wing nut to hold the Joey bed in.
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: Chuck Pearson on June 27, 2012, 07:46:34 am
Heaven forbid that thing should come unlatched while taking a curve, not only the thrill of watching your tools, lower freezer, bongo drums, flyswatters fly out, if the extended joey bed should contact something like a guard rail....oy vey, what a mess.

I'm going to look at drilling mine for a safety clevis.
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: Michelle on June 27, 2012, 07:57:55 am
I'm going to look at drilling mine for a safety clevis.

The PO of our coach did exactly that.  We have one on each side to keep the Joey bed from unexpectedly sliding out.  It also helps prevent "operator error" of pushing the unit "in" too far and into the bay door on the other side.

-M
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: Don Hay on June 27, 2012, 12:12:50 pm
Heaven forbid that thing should come unlatched while taking a curve, not only the thrill of watching your tools, lower freezer, bongo drums, flyswatters fly out, if the extended joey bed should contact something like a guard rail....oy vey, what a mess.

I'm going to look at drilling mine for a safety clevis.


Been there done that!  We were just leaving a friend's neighborhood, making a curve at 20 mph when we heard a boom.  By the time I got stopped and out of the coach, we had a line of stuff (portable gas grill, propane bottles, windshield washer fluid, etc. ) strung along the street for 75 feet.  The Joey bed latch didn't "catch", so rounding the curve allowed the Joey bed to smash into the bay door, breaking both door latches as it flung the door up (our door is suspended above by piano hinges).  Fortunately, no other vehicles nearby, so we were able to retrieve everything.  I had to bungee cord the door shut for the next 1,500 miles until we got back to Texas (happened in Wisconsin).  First thing I did after getting new door latches was to install the bolt and wing nut, ala' Barry and Cindy's solution. Joey Bed Safety Lock (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/joey_bed_safety_lock.html)
Title: Re: Latch on Basement Storage Drawer on 1998 U270 doesn't work.
Post by: jerrett on June 27, 2012, 06:14:38 pm
Our latch would not work because a spot weld was broken on the latch (see picture).  To fix the problem I drilled a hole behind the latch, a little larger than the head of the of the self drilling screw head, pulled it in place with a wiretie and put in the self drilling screw.  It has worked fine since.  Hope this helps.