Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Herb Stark on August 28, 2025, 11:13:29 pm

Title: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: Herb Stark on August 28, 2025, 11:13:29 pm
Has anyone had to replace the hinges and Hinge bases that mount on the slide assembly?  Two slide assemblies hold 4 hinges for upper and lower to the door with a mirror.  Door is heavy.  On a trip I had the upper hinge assemblies break and could not close the door in order to pull in the slide.  So I had to remove the door.  Now I am trying to reassemble and need a new set of 4 hinges and bases.  The slide assembly and hinges are Knape & Vogt.  I have not called Foretravel yet and will tomorrow.  My hinges look like these
Knape & Vogt KV 8092 Hinge Pack - 40mm Hinge Size - Modern Style - Unfinished... (https://www.amazon.com/Hinge-Pack-Inset-Extra-Thick/dp/B00ZGO6CV6/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GeE1JuGQHLxQre_jVpzR_fTvGTF9rCH4XDjHWiZqLcrjW9VGNVND2GBqtAcj3RESHyEK0eHvsFVCrvHuE4ozg7QgrrGqaaERWZjyQ72SqgZ8K7vCadlTvAp0Y2CYRz7h4FvC54Uu0v1WTuU5YgV25gO9c5awLeKajWvkxwBIPoKyBeE2SdoBKJjkipErEPcZ2ZMnr-xfYOhY9c70IA2UYS4iK2Dd0wTs_Xb_nCEcTNcK_Hp8w32zJqf_SbCKkUXURHtm3g4wnkGTKnsuG4gH8qEyyOU1dHV3RmsXvkPWH-I.OGw2lrT_EDOMN4CVWY3wtwP2pdyFPbHUuqVxmyFyE_c&dib_tag=se&hvadid=694224042224&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9027845&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=4523714778839368005--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=4523714778839368005&hvtargid=kwd-1174711310554&hydadcr=9063_13689029&keywords=knape+and+vogt+pocket+door+slides&mcid=953d936e055a3dbcb256f6b1f233d9ed&qid=1756435730&sr=8-1)

The metal hinge plate that appears to be riveted to the slide assembly is what has broken.  This part is not shown on the hinges in the link.  It is shown as part of the slide assembly.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: turbojack on August 29, 2025, 08:19:16 am
I don't have a mirror on that door and don't have that problem yet.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: Michelle on August 29, 2025, 08:50:27 am
Are you saying this is a solid door, not a louver-vented one?

Every OEM installation of a washer/dryer I've seen has a vented door design of some sort.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: steve on August 29, 2025, 09:45:35 am
Is it this mechanism? 8092 | KV - Knape & Vogt (https://www.knapeandvogt.com/8092) I could not tell if just the plate is available.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: Herb Stark on August 29, 2025, 10:37:43 am
Are you saying this is a solid door, not a louver-vented one?

Every OEM installation of a washer/dryer I've seen has a vented door design of some sort.

Solid Door with a mirror and boy is it heavy.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: Herb Stark on August 29, 2025, 10:55:02 am
Door never did shut properly for me since I bought the coach.  We were on a trip to San Saba and Comanche (before the flood) when the top came completely loose at the top due, I see now, to broken Hinge plates attached to slides by it appears loose rivets.  No way I can change these with the washer and dryer in place.  I have found the exact same slides plates and Hinges on Amazon.  They are rated for a 75 pound door, but this door is pushing that weight, so with coach normal driving and movement this may be an ongoing issue.  I may have to rethink the stock installation of door.  To get home from San Saba, I wrapped the door in a blanket secured with blue tape.  Then since I had no place to store that beast, I slide it back beside the washer and dryer.  It fit snugly because of the lip of the frame at the floor.  Rode very well and lived there until I decided to "fix" it back to stock.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: Herb Stark on August 29, 2025, 11:01:10 am
I don't have a mirror on that door and don't have that problem yet.

Since your coach was built a couple after mine, they probably rethought that design.  Do you have a light weight louvered door?
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: Herb Stark on August 29, 2025, 11:05:53 am
Is it this mechanism? 8092 | KV - Knape & Vogt (https://www.knapeandvogt.com/8092) I could not tell if just the plate is available.
Yes, that appears to be it.  The 8092/8091 are similar with one being made to overlay the door and the other insets the door flush which is what we have leaving only the handle sticking out to just barely clear the slide coming in over it.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: Michelle on August 29, 2025, 11:29:37 am
Since your coach was built a couple after mine, they probably rethought that design.  Do you have a light weight louvered door?

Do consider switching to a different door design if you think the weight of the solid one is going to continue to be an issue.  It would also allow you to do laundry without that door having to be open.  I'm not sure about the stacked units or other brands, but for our Splendide 2200 requires an 8 sq. inch minimum total vent opening in the door if you want to run the machine with the door closed (one of our remaining handful of projects.)
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: turbojack on August 29, 2025, 03:37:56 pm
Since your coach was built a couple after mine, they probably rethought that design.  Do you have a light weight louvered door?
Nope, Nice solid door, but it does not appear to be too heavy since it flexes a little bit. I had removed my old dryer about 100 times trying to get it fixed. Gave up and bought a new Miele Heat pump dryer. It took some getting it in there and when I got it installed with help I said I hope I never have to take back out.

We have the mirror installed on the closet door. That door feels solid and heavy.

When wife does laundry she leaves the door open and pushed out of the way in the cabinet.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: Herb Stark on August 31, 2025, 03:10:21 pm
Nope, Nice solid door, but it does not appear to be too heavy since it flexes a little bit. I had removed my old dryer about 100 times trying to get it fixed. Gave up and bought a new Miele Heat pump dryer. It took some getting it in there and when I got it installed with help I said I hope I never have to take back out.

We have the mirror installed on the closet door. That door feels solid and heavy.

When wife does laundry she leaves the door open and pushed out of the way in the cabinet.

Well, this one does not flex at all.  I can pick it up, but not for very long or very far.  I think I can weigh it on my bathroom scales so we will see just how heavy it is.  Our closet door must be similar to yours as it matches our Washer Dryer closet door and they both have mirrors.  I do not plan to reinstall this door as it is too heavy for the hardware and we have enough mirrors  with the closet door and vanity.  I have found the same slide parts, I think I can replace them without removing the Washer and Dryer.  Maybe I can buy a matching door without a mirror like yours from Foretravel.  I do not intend to remove the washer and dryer unless they need repair or replacement.  Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: steve on August 31, 2025, 07:12:35 pm
Please share the weight ( of the door :D ) if you manage to get it on the scale.
Title: Re: IH-45 Door for Washer/Dryer Closet.
Post by: Herb Stark on August 31, 2025, 08:42:13 pm
Please share the weight ( of the door :D ) if you manage to get it on the scale.

58 lbs.  Hinges are rated for 75 lbs.  However I am sure that does not account for traveling down the highway and hitting a pot hole or two.  I know the Iron Horse rides smoothly, but roads are roads and they will have bumps.  I stand by my opinion that the door is too heavy for the slide system.