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Topic: Locked inside... (Read 1066 times) previous topic - next topic

Locked inside...

This morning I couldn't open my door to get outside. I have a 91 Grandvilla. I had to climb out the window. It would open from the outside, but the silver "flippy" handle on the inside would not open the door. Once I had the door open,

I took off the plate that the inside handle is attached to and "sort of" see how it works. Does anyone have any ideas?

Has anyone replaced the handle on their Foretravel?

Thanks! Susan

ps It was a little scary. I would never get my dog through that window. :/
Susan
Chimayo, NM
1990 U280 36'

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #1
Susan, I got a new handle set from Foretravel parts last year but yours may be repairable. You said you removed the plate. Can you see where a internal part is broken or a clip has pulled loose? The flippy handle is held with a clip that can pull loose. If so you can get that clip at a well equipped Ace or True Value hardware store. Good Luck!!!
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #2
Kent, Thank you for this response.... It's taken me a few days to get back to this project, during which I just have opened the door from the inside with a screwdriver to push the lever to open.

Anyway I have attached photos of both the door view without the handle or plate. And photos of the inside of the door plate. I can't see any broken off parts. I was wondering if you could take a look at the photos and see if you see something I don't.

Again, thanks a lot.

Susan
Susan
Chimayo, NM
1990 U280 36'

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #3
What a great way to exercise. Climbing out of the window is a great exercise. I had to do that with our door once at a truck stop. Would you know it, a State Trooper saw me half way in and half way out. Guess which way he thought I was going? Luckily, my wife climbed out and verified that she was with me, that the rig was mine, and there was nothing worth stealing inside. :D
Steven & Anna Lindemann
2012 Prevost  H3-45 VIP
2007 Foretravel 40' Nimbus
2014 Cadillac Escalade

Private/Charter Bus Driver-Owner
30 Years of Driving the Stars of Nashville

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #4
Steven & Anna,  You made my day! I love it. Climbing out of the window is a great exercise! I'm so glad I am still so nimble!

Kent, I called Foretravel and they helped me trouble shoot a bit. I found all the screws and put her back together and she....drumroll.... worked! she..... opened from the inside. (I put up a ladder outside that window, just in case I locked myself inside again.) But I think all is well. Thank you for encouraging me to see the possibility that it may be repairable. One of the screws on the plate was absent. I went to Home Depot this afternoon and found a replacement - and perhaps the absence of that one, was what precipitated the whole fiasco.

Susan,

still learning "Foretravel as a second language."
Susan
Chimayo, NM
1990 U280 36'

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #5
There are many of us that know from sad experience that there is really no graceful way to enter or exit a Foretravel, except by using the actual door that was created for that purpose.  Many of us could have sold tickets to our entrance/exit events!!  glad you had a happy outcome!!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #6
Why I never lock the slide window at driver seat, had my skinny DW jump thru and unlock the door when the door lock assembly messed up  ;D
If I had to escape, it would be an event as Carol says.  :o

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #7
Mine locked me out, but that has been fixed.  Was caused by my mod,  which I still have, but it has been mod'ed  again and now works properly.

And Dave, I don't think anyone is skinny enough to squeeze through the side window by my driver seat.  I can barely get my swelled head through it!  We had to use the bedroom window.  It was the only one I could get open from the outside.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #8
When I was locked outside my coach, I had two service techs from a local company get me in with the following method. They put a ladder next to my living room window and slid in a credit card under the flip up latch. As the tapped on the window with one hand, they push an upward pressure in the flip up lever with the credit card. As the tapped, the card moved up easily and unlocked the window. I tried this again myself at another time and was successful.

Since that time, I drilled a small hole at the bottom of the slide for the window. Now I can insert a small pin, keeping the window from sliding.
Steven & Anna Lindemann
2012 Prevost  H3-45 VIP
2007 Foretravel 40' Nimbus
2014 Cadillac Escalade

Private/Charter Bus Driver-Owner
30 Years of Driving the Stars of Nashville

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #9
I haven't thought about being locked out.... I guess I need to think about which window I am going to not lock from now on.... as in which one will cause the least injury.
Susan
Chimayo, NM
1990 U280 36'

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #10
Does not our "Road Service" provide a lock-out service ? I am sure mine does. Had to use it once!
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #11
I got locked out a couple years ago and had to take a ladder and go thru the dinnet window... All this 1 month after spinal fusion.... The only other alternative was no alternative as the only neighbor I had was to large to even climb the ladder much less get thru the window... Tell ya what... the windows are high on the old 280's come to find out.
Dub McBride 1996 270

 

Re: Locked inside...

Reply #12
Does not our "Road Service" provide a lock-out service ? I am sure mine does. Had to use it once!

Bill, I hear ya on the Lockout Service but does  Coachnet have Lock In Serivce??
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback