When we bought our Foretravel, there were only two screws holding the screen door latch bracket. Before too long those two gave up the ghost and I was left with an unsecurable screen door. One of the downsides of this is what happens when you have the latch a little bit out of position and slam the vault-type door on it. I want to keep that repair to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I asked for suggestion on this forum, but did not get much interest in the topic. I wound up breaking several toothpicks in half and gluing them together with yellow wood glue. After they dried, I trimmed them and installed the screen door latch bracket with three new screws. This worked fine until my brother came to visit. He helped me install a 50 amp outlet to plug in the RV on a semi-permanent basis.
[It was really my fault. I was showing off my Foretravel and asked him to close the door, without an appropriate briefing beforehand. Civilian! However, since he was down here in the heat and working in my un-air conditioned garage, and my REALLY un-air conditioned attic, I did not accuse him. What the heck, stuff happens. And he is my brother; and I have a nice 50 amp RV outlet!]
For my next attempt at a permanent repair, I plan to install three 1/2" dowels glued to whatever presents itself under the interior panel. Fortunately, I am going to have to remove and replace the door window, so I will learn much more about what is inside that panel. :headwall:
Anyone else already done this repair successfully? How did you do it?
Thanks,
Trent
I would wait until I remove the window before I attempted to secure the latch with dowels. It appears to me that you may be able to slide something behind the door panel (piece of wood..or metal?) That would work better than the dowels. Thinking a bit more about it I believe I would remove the window to make any repairs in any case.
Roland
I will be watching this one Trent, mine is hanging on by a thread too. A screw thread.
The black plastic part on mine that holds the latch handle broke off. I replaced that part with a piece of tough lexan plastic that I had after my first poxy glue fix failed after holding for a while. I am pretty sure those are sheet metal type screws. If they are, you might want to try just going up to the next size, same length. You might have to drill a slightly bigger hole in the plastic part. Roger
I would wait until you take the door apart. You may find that the best solution is a hollow wall anchor. I think the door has a plywood skin and foam core.
See my write up that is linked in the recent "Water Moccasin" post.
Rich
How about using some nutserts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz2yZNqGNqo
Depending on room once you take the door apart, I would lean toward a piece of plywood or more likely, an 1/8" thick piece of aluminum that you could drill and tap before putting behind the inner cover. Then use screws to attach it-- totally bombproof.
Brett,
I like that idea. I happen to have some left over aluminum 1/8" stock from my bay door latch episode.
Thanks,
Trent
PS: Jean is getting excited about our upcoming road trip; see you in Madison!
suggest you contact the door manufacturer, PTL, Rochester, MI before f'ing it up
Handles & Locking Mechanisms | PTL Engineering (http://www.ptlengineering.com/?page_id=890)
Customer Service | PTL Engineering (http://www.ptlengineering.com/?page_id=155)
I don't believe his problem is with a messed up latch but with gouged out holes in the door panel.
Roland
I understand that, Rolald -- holes in the *PTL* door panel. Whom better to consult as to construction and remedy than *PTL* ?
My bad didn't see that they made the door panel. :facepalm:
Roland