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Basement doors falling off

August 30, 2011, 09:24:35 pm

I've done a search on this subject and it's apparently a fairly common problem.  My 4 foot door on the water heater fell off shortly after I'd replaced the struts.  I've gotten it repaired, but was wondering if there would be any good reason to not double up the fasteners on the other doors as a preventive measure.

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Re: Basement doors falling off

Reply #1 – August 30, 2011, 10:21:33 pm

We had a hinged door fail on our 1997 U295. Most of the doors are "bus style," but some are hinged at the top edge.

The door for the water heater bay broke where the forward strut was attached. The fiberglass was narrow there because of the metal insert over the water heater. After Xtreme P&G repaired the door, I chose to leave the forward strut off the door. It puts less strain on the door. It is less likely to break the door or the hinge. Weak struts might be an advantage rather than a problem.

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Re: Basement doors falling off

Reply #2 – August 31, 2011, 07:15:19 am

Gayland, make sure your struts are the proper strength. Too strong, and they really torque those hinges.

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Re: Basement doors falling off

Reply #3 – August 31, 2011, 09:45:50 am

Yes, I'm sure that's what caused the problem.  I did get the struts from FT, so would assume they were correct, but they sure are a lot stiffer than the other ones.

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Re: Basement doors falling off

Reply #4 – August 31, 2011, 06:26:20 pm

I think that most of us think that the doors are sturdier than they really are and improper closing procedures will do a LOT of damage.
After loosing my fuel bay door the first year we owned the coach and the main large bay a year later I was not a happy camper.
I now make sure that I put my hand just below the door latch and am careful to push down and in, when closing ANY of the bay doors.
If one pushes down on the door in an off-center position, it is likely to cause the hinges to rip out of the fibreglass.  No problems for the last six or seven years.  I will continue to be careful.
Regards,

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