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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: rclark on July 15, 2022, 02:59:17 pm

Title: entrance door outside latch
Post by: rclark on July 15, 2022, 02:59:17 pm
I have searched and been to PTL's utube videos.
My problem is that the outside door latch will not open the door a lot of the time, the inside latch opens it easily every time.
The PTL video shows a nut in the door frame edge under the latching mechanism. I don't have the hole and plug that covers an adjustment nut they are talking about. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am not looking forward to taking the inside stuff off the door, BUT I will if need be, I am too old to climb through a window. A campground isn't the best place to do this.
Thanks for any info
Ron
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: craneman on July 15, 2022, 03:03:14 pm
Are you sure you have A PTL door? 320's have it but not sure 295's do. How about some pictures of the latch pin on the door jam.
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: Jan & Richard on July 15, 2022, 04:42:20 pm
I am sorry about your issues with the door latch.  In my situation, unfortunately, I have had to take the interior stuff off several times to deal with the outside latch handle.  The adjustments inside are sensitive and must be precisely adjusted.  The second time I messed with it, I replaced the outside door handle.  However, that really did not make much difference.  I should warn you that if you choose to replace the outside handle, it looks the same as the basement locker handles but it is very different.  The door handle mechanism pulls instead of pushes (or vice-versa).  The first handle I ordered from FoT parts, specifying it was for the door, they sent the wrong one.  They were very nice about the error and exchanged it for the correct one. 

Bottom line:  I believe that after twenty plus years, the pivot points on all the bits of the mechanism are worn enough that it is difficult to keep it in calibration.  My outside latch is still not easy to operate but so far (knock wood) it always opens the door. 

good luck,

Richard
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: bbeane on July 15, 2022, 04:45:45 pm
There is an adjustment inside the door, between the latch and the handle. You don't have to take the entire vinyl piece off the door, just the screws below the window frame. Just did mine. There is a linkage rod that is adjustable. Be careful and don't drop the retainer clip for the rod. Once you look at its simple. The door is a PTL.
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: Townrestor on July 15, 2022, 04:58:24 pm
I am sorry about your issues with the door latch.  In my situation, unfortunately, I have had to take the interior stuff off several times to deal with the outside latch handle.  The adjustments inside are sensitive and must be precisely adjusted.  The second time I messed with it, I replaced the outside door handle.  However, that really did not make much difference.  I should warn you that if you choose to replace the outside handle, it looks the same as the basement locker handles but it is very different.  The door handle mechanism pulls instead of pushes (or vice-versa).  The first handle I ordered from FoT parts, specifying it was for the door, they sent the wrong one.  They were very nice about the error and exchanged it for the correct one. 

Bottom line:  I believe that after twenty plus years, the pivot points on all the bits of the mechanism are worn enough that it is difficult to keep it in calibration.  My outside latch is still not easy to operate but so far (knock wood) it always opens the door. 

good luck,

Richard
Same for me only I couldn't get out with the inside latch handle. Richard is correct the linkage is very touchy. Once you have the inside panel off you will see how it all works and what needs to be tweaked. Once I straightened mine out haven't had a problem since. But I do keep my tools inside now as I had to lower  a grandson out the window to fetch them up to me.
Good luck just dive in, it's not hard. Hardest part is screws on the window if you don't have a power screwdriver.
I wouldn't even think about doing a partial loosening of the panel not hard to take completely off.
Larry
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: rclark on July 15, 2022, 06:40:58 pm
Are you sure you have A PTL door? 320's have it but not sure 295's do. How about some pictures of the latch pin on the door jam.
I have tried to post pictures but haven't been able to figure it out. I will keep trying craneman.
Thanks everyone that has sent info. Next week will be 100 degrees plus, I may wait till temp goes down.
Ron
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: craneman on July 15, 2022, 06:48:11 pm
Bruce confirmed you have the PTL door. Does the pin on the door jam move freely? There was a discussion a few years back where members were not aware it is supposed to move.
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: Barry & Cindy on July 15, 2022, 08:43:10 pm
Isn't this place to find parts from TriMark - http://www.trimarkcorp.com/en/index.aspx  Rather than PTL?
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: rclark on July 16, 2022, 02:59:43 pm
Bruce confirmed you have the PTL door. Does the pin on the door jam move freely? There was a discussion a few years back where members were not aware it is supposed to move.
Craneman  I made sure that it moved. I read in other posts where it needed to move. I did spray contact cleaner on the latching mechanism and then spayed silicone lube and it is working pretty good now especially as hot as it is outside.
Thanks again
Ron
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: Rich Bowman on July 16, 2022, 09:50:38 pm
I have to use silicone spray regularly to keep my door operating.

Rich
Title: Re: entrance door outside latch
Post by: Realmccoy on July 17, 2022, 06:33:13 pm
As per post #3, I just went through this with my 98 U270. Could pull outside handle but often didn't open. Worked fine from inside. Nacogdoches Motorhome Service adjusted mine as per BBean. Works great now, wife much happier.