Went to open the AH bay door today after I had an unfortunate encounter with a parking lot light standard cement foundation and only the left catch would release. This door has given me problems in the past but I have always managed to get the darn thing open by pulling on the door handle and the bottom edge. But not today!! This door is under the living room slide so it doesn't open bus style. It's on a piano hinge and has two latches, one on each side that are controlled by the latch using flat metal rods. It operates like the genset door. Any ideas on how to get the door open?
I don't know if pulling in where it is cracked might help.
Try snagging the right hand wire and pull it down.
If that fails, the wire may be broken, hope that it is broken near the handle. You may be able to snag the wire near the latch
and pull it out the bottom and pull to the left.
Good luck....
Not sure on the '03, but on our 2000 I could open the opposite side and crawl through to the door that would not open and open that way. Hope this helps as our latch broke and had to be taken off to open the door. Pulling on the handle, wires or metal rod did not help!
Unfortunately the bay is sealed off from the other side, behind the AH on my '03 U320. No suggestions (sorry), but here's a few pictures of what you are working with so you can make a plan.
Try leveling the coach - there may be some pressure on the bay door from being not level
With the water bay door up and out of the way, is it possible to remove the piano hinge rod? I assume that's how it is installed.
Thanks for the suggestions and pictures. A technician at Xtreme suggested a long screwdriver; may have to drill a hole to gain access. They would fix the hole at the same time they're repairing the door. Not the best, it is what it is.
All this door not opening action sounds like a recalcitrant HAL-9000. "I'm sorry Dave, But I'm afraid I can't do that"
Success!!! :dance: I studied the door latch system on the side genset door to determine exactly how it works. I then noticed there was a screen in the floor of the AquaHot bay for diesel spillage. Using my flash light I could see the recalcitrant latch. I was able to spray some sliding window tract lubricant and actually hit the latch mechanism. I pulled very hard on the latch handle and that was enough to get the latch to release. After I got the bay door open I noticed that my accident had not only damaged the fiberglass door, but had damaged (bent) the door frame underneath. Have an appointment with Xtreme to repair the door, but don't know if they can also repair the door frame.
When is you appt at Xtreme? We will be there Nov 29 for 5 or more days.
It's scheduled for mid-Dec after bladder repairs at MOT.
David, glad you got the door open! I was wondering what you use for sliding window track lubricant? I have a couple of windows that will only open a couple inches.
3-in-one RV care window & track dry lube. We bought it on Amazon.