Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: OSIN on September 05, 2018, 01:56:26 pm

Title: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: OSIN on September 05, 2018, 01:56:26 pm
While we are at FOT we had the locking system repaired, which seems to activate the solenoids fine, but even when double checking, i.e pushing on all 4 corners to ensure the "click" we have had a constant door opening issue. (Small wet manifold door). 6 times traveling from FOT to Escapees North Ranch, and at least 1-2 times every trip. Frustrating to say the least.

Does anyone have a cure/adjustments for this. Thanks in advance

Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: Green99 on September 05, 2018, 02:02:35 pm
OSIN,
Not sure about your problem, I usually just give mine the foretravel lean.  Push on each corner with my calf.  Never had one come open, but have head of it happening to others.  Please post your repair for others.
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: Johnstons on September 05, 2018, 02:40:13 pm
The frame had some movement at the bottom on ours letting the pin move some. 
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on September 05, 2018, 02:40:54 pm
There will be a adjustment point on your bay door locks.  Something you can move to make the door fit "tighter" when closed and latched.  On our old '93 U280 it is the pins that the latch grabs.  I can loosen them and slide in or out to adjust door.  Your U295 should have something similar.

The door latches may not be engaging fully on the pins.  Moving the pins out a bit will let them lock more securely.
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: Alan & Gerri Ortiz on September 05, 2018, 02:42:06 pm
Are these pantographic style doors?
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: bigdog on September 05, 2018, 04:32:44 pm
Sometimes a gunked up latching mechanism can be the issue. That was the case on my gen radiator door under the drivers position. Ended up spraying degreaser in it and that did the trick. 
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on September 05, 2018, 04:59:40 pm
The frame had some movement at the bottom on ours letting the pin move some. 
Same on ours. Opened the big door going across the Golden Gate!

Pierce
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: Barry & Cindy on September 05, 2018, 06:11:08 pm
Osin, much easier to reply to your need if we know model & year of your coach.
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: Old Knucklehead on September 05, 2018, 06:12:52 pm
You can get a pretty good look at the top latches from inside the Joey bed on mine. The bottom latches are a little different story, at least when FT first came out with pantograph doors. The "tooth" was worn (rounded a bit) and putting a couple of thin washers under the strike plate on the horizontal lip raised it enough. Cheap workaround to replacing the 24 year old latch.

My doors have been prone to opening underway since we painted her and had two bay doors replaced at FT. The last trip thru NAC last month, we got a tune up adjustment while we were there for parts and a wiper fix.

Worst Open Door Surprise happened at a Chicago toll booth. No damage to the coach and I can color my hair back to my natural color someday. In an emergency, a long ratchet-type strap tie down will do wonders for your peace of mind. Old school.
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: craneman on September 05, 2018, 06:22:37 pm
Osin, much easier to reply to your need if we know model & year of your coach.
One of his posts stated he has a U295 Don't know what doors are on that model myself
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: Pamela & Mike on September 05, 2018, 07:23:50 pm
His/her profile indicated a '03 U-295  40'

Mike
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: John S on September 05, 2018, 07:27:54 pm
You can adjust the locking mechanism as well as the studs a bit, at least you could on my 01
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: OSIN on September 05, 2018, 07:44:36 pm
OSIN,
Not sure about your problem, I usually just give mine the foretravel lean.  Push on each corner with my calf.  Never had one come open, but have head of it happening to others.  Please post your repair for others.
They just fly open, even after double checking. and the LEAN move.
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: OSIN on September 05, 2018, 07:45:52 pm
There will be a adjustment point on your bay door locks.  Something you can move to make the door fit "tighter" when closed and latched.  On our old '93 U280 it is the pins that the latch grabs.  I can loosen them and slide in or out to adjust door.  Your U295 should have something similar.

The door latches may not be engaging fully on the pins.  Moving the pins out a bit will let them lock more securely.

OK, I'll move the top pins out from the coach see if that helps.

Tks
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: OSIN on September 05, 2018, 07:46:44 pm

Greyhound Bus Style Doors.
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: OSIN on September 05, 2018, 07:48:14 pm
It's a 2003 U295 WTFS.....I'm learning the meaning of the 1st 3 letter code...LOL
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: OSIN on September 05, 2018, 07:51:09 pm
nk=msg=324112 date=1536185572]
You can get a pretty good look at the top latches from inside the Joey bed on mine. The bottom latches are a little different story, at least when FT first came out with pantograph doors. The "tooth" was worn (rounded a bit) and putting a couple of thin washers under the strike plate on the horizontal lip raised it enough. Cheap workaround to replacing the 24 year old latch.

My doors have been prone to opening underway since we painted her and had two bay doors replaced at FT. The last trip thru NAC last month, we got a tune up adjustment while we were there for parts and a wiper fix.

Worst Open Door Surprise happened at a Chicago toll booth. No damage to the coach and I can color my hair back to my natural color someday. In an emergency, a long ratchet-type strap tie down will do wonders for your peace of mind. Old school.


Thanks for the Washer tip, My bottom latch screws are quite rusted, I'll soak on Penetrating oil and try this one.
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: OSIN on September 05, 2018, 07:51:57 pm
One of his posts stated he has a U295 Don't know what doors are on that model myself

The Greyhound Bus Type, Vertical Opening
Title: Re: Compartment door opening while driving
Post by: Sven and Kristi on September 05, 2018, 08:00:14 pm
We've also had a regular problem with this, causing us to push against the corners with calves before we drive anywhere.  We also put some washers under the strike plate, compensating for the worn latch and that has helped.