Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

The door won’t unlatch

February 17, 2024, 09:58:57 pm

I can't open the door!!!
Dead bolt is not engaged.
The key on the other lock is working, but the door won't unlatch. It appears it is stuck on the latch pin.
I had to climb through a window to get in.
I'm trying to access the pin through the molding on the inside.

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #1 – February 17, 2024, 10:20:23 pm

There is a turnbuckle inside the door to adjust the door. Access from inside latch mechanism.

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #2 – February 17, 2024, 10:34:52 pm

I have accessed it but it won't budge!
It appears to be tack welded to the mounting plate.

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #3 – February 17, 2024, 10:39:39 pm

How long has it been since the door was opened? Appears to be rusted to the plate if so Corrosion X, Kroil, PB blaster etc.

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #4 – February 17, 2024, 10:43:09 pm

The door has been opened and closed many times today. My wife was locked in so I had to climb in through the bedroom window.
I'll get some penetrating oil but that means, out the window I go.

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #5 – February 17, 2024, 11:02:54 pm

So a month ago my door got stuck too..... Previously a friend tried to close the door Without opening the handle and pushing back on the door...... as she muscled very hard the door to close, she bent the hinge, cracked the weld on one of the "rivets" and wasn't able to close the door. After doing a quick fix I was able to close it. Later though the hinges I guess bent and, without knowing I closed the door, which became stuck because of the bent hinges. My guess is that, or the cable that connects from the handle to the lock mechanism on top, broke or stretched.

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #6 – February 17, 2024, 11:11:40 pm

I got it open by pulling the inner cable on the bike brake type cable.
Tomorrow I'll remove the inner door cover to access the locking mechanism.
I'm in New Hampshire and it's a bit chilly for night work!!!!
Thanks all for your assistance!!!
Updates coming tomorrow!
Custom lock for tonight, pictured!!!

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #7 – February 17, 2024, 11:54:05 pm

Glad you got it open. If your door lock is like other models, you may want to consider what others have done: Only use dead bolt, not use handle lock. Some have jammed something into inside slider to keep it from moving to lock position. Often the outside handle lock is common enough that others have keys to door and compartments. Driving down the road and if someone falls against door when dead bolt is not used, the door could open. Deadbolt extends into door frame securely preventing door from opening. And uses a more secure key. Handle lock just tries to keep the inside & outside handle moving and is much less secure. Worn handle mechanism could probably be forced. Lucky window was not locked. Most beds do not have a secure latch and if engine door can be opened someone could crawl in and lift up bed from under side. Bed is heavy, not easy, dirty job, but probably doable. Also, the door lock mechanism needs preventative lubrication to keep parts working. An unlocked deadbolt in an insecure camping/parking spot could be a problem if a stranger pulls door open while people are inside. [Unnecessary comment deleted - moderator Michelle]

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #8 – February 18, 2024, 01:51:24 pm

Happy ending!
The lube I sprayed into the internal locking mechanism freed it up. It now opens and closes smoothly!
So glad I don't have to disassemble the door!

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #9 – February 18, 2024, 01:56:38 pm

Now show the wife what to spray so you won't have to do the window crawl.

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Re: The door won’t unlatch

Reply #10 – February 18, 2024, 04:58:07 pm

On my 1998, my black rv style handle with the small key lock jammed. What jammed was not related to the key system, but to a sliding inside "dead bolt" pin with a 90 degree bend, and black rubber on the handle.  The door had swung shut with the wind, and the swinging force slid the sliding pin.  The person inside had trouble seeing and finding the small black rubber on the rod.
After I got inside and slid the pin to unlock the door, I removed the black door handle assembly, and took out the sliding pin way of locking the door.  After that, all we use from inside or outside is the Schlage house style dead bolt.

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