Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

Stuck basement doors

January 20, 2024, 02:19:32 pm

I have two small  basement doors at the rear of the coach 2001 U320 40' no tag,  that appear to be stuck. I have confirmed they are not locked with the key. My wet bay and generator doors were stuck but I was able to open them by lifting up on the latch and pounding on the perimeter of the door with my fist. Any suggestions?

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #1 – January 20, 2024, 02:28:03 pm

Could they be icy,try a "dead blow" rubber hammer instead of fist,when you get open use some dry teflon spray on the rubber seal.Keep us posted.

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #2 – January 20, 2024, 02:52:15 pm

No ice but cold weather for us in central Texas, several nights in the low 20's. I'm wondering if the cold temps and contraction may be part of the problem. I'll try the rubber mallet, gently!!

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #3 – January 20, 2024, 02:58:30 pm

Mine were sticking really bad, letting the release handle snap back a few times I was able to get them open, sprayed down with WD40, open really smooth now

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #4 – January 20, 2024, 04:04:54 pm

Thanks let me try that!!!!

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #5 – January 20, 2024, 04:12:25 pm

Common lament with those aft doors.  The latch linkage geometry is wonky.  I adjusted mine by simply loosening the clamping nuts on the inside of the mechanism and rotating the handle plate to get more throw on the linkage, then tighten the clamping nuts.  Test repeatedly with the door open before shutting.

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #6 – January 20, 2024, 04:59:08 pm

Check this: Important modification for single latch small rear compartment doors

Can't you see the back of the door from looking from ground?

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #7 – January 20, 2024, 06:44:08 pm

Success, Barry gave me instructions how to open the aft door and I can see why it wouldn't open. Thanks Barry!!!

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #8 – January 21, 2024, 06:03:58 pm

Well.....what as the advice he gave you that you failed to share??

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #9 – January 21, 2024, 07:16:17 pm

I think the answer that helped was to look under and see this latch from the ground as this is an OPEN compartment..

The other thing shared is we used Lowes/Home Depot aluminum flat stock to make the bracket shown in the photos of the back of the small compartment doors.

And we do not have dimensions to help others to duplicate the mod that improves the latches.

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #10 – January 21, 2024, 07:25:30 pm

Sorry..... I missed the reply that Barry had suggested. My bad.

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Re: Stuck basement doors

Reply #11 – January 04, 2025, 11:52:36 am

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but I wanted to share a solution I found for stuck basement door.  In my 07 Nimbus, one of my basement doors was stuck.  The latches engage on both sides of the doors and will disengage when the linkage is pushed up next to the latch.  My lock cylinder would turn freely, so I knew it was the latch at the edge of the door that was hung up. 

Tools needed:
1/2 aluminum round stock x 20" long
wonder bar or other prying tool

Grind a notch in the end of the aluminum bar - the linkage will be caught using the notch. 
Use another compartment door to dry fit the aluminum bar - use a sharpie to mark where the bottom of the door will be when the bar engages with the linkage so you have an idea of how deep the rod needs to be when you fish for the linkage.  Cut the aluminum bar ~8" below this line
Use wonder bar to pry bottom corner away from coach to give room to insert the aluminum bar.  Once you feel the rod engage the linkage, push up on the rod or tap it up lightly to push the linkage up.  Your door should pop free.

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