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Topic: Can't open door on my 1995 U300 (Read 944 times) previous topic - next topic

Can't open door on my 1995 U300

 :help:  Coach has been sitting idle in my driveway for the last 3 weeks with door unlocked. Tried to open door yesterday and "no joy". Thought it might be due to binding as air bled down but several opening efforts later I'm convinced that the problem is associated with the factory door latch.  I NEVER lock the coach using this latch.  I've got a deadbolt lock mounted above the latch that is the only way that I use to lock the door.  I seem to remember one previous similar incident when I was at Extreme about 7-8 years ago and it was something out of position in the latch mechanism -- OH - and the door was open at the time.  Fortunately the passenger seat sliding window is currently open and I'm pretty sure I can slide the screen forward.  Only need to find some small skinny kid in the neighborhood & boost him thru the window ( no way I'm going to fit ).  If any members have any other suggestions I'd love to hear them :-)

Jon
Jon Harris
1995 U300 Unihome
Cat 3176
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Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #1 –
If you have the original windows, you can probably get one of the side windows open which will give you more room to squeeze through. Place an open hand on the sliding section of the window and put pressure on it to open. Then with your fist or the heel of the other hand start banging on the window. The vibration will eventually loosen the latch allowing you to open the window.

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: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #2 –
the sliding latch on my 93 U-280 would quite often slide to the locked position
when the door was shut a little to hard.  i eventually disabled it.  i recall
one time i had to call a locksmith.  good luck.

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #3 –
Yup, many of us have designed and installed a "lock out" tab for that bolt.

Mike may be able to post pictures (if still on the coach).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #4 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yup, many of us have designed and installed a "lock out" tab for that bolt.

Mike may be able to post pictures (if still on the coach).

It's dark here, I'll post a lock pic tomorrow. I'll also tell everyone why I had to climb out the window the other morning when we got locked in!  :thumbsdown:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #5 –
My door came open over a speed bump and hit a truck bumper, I got out to inspect on main Street and closed the door. Wrong. It would not open. So it's running and blocking traffic. got a window open and a couple of cowboys hoisted me up. Pulled around to a side street and tried to get out, but door would not budge. Called the local lumber yard and had them deliver a step ladder, and a wonder Bar to pry with. Finally got it open, step ladder was too big to go thru the window, so I stuck it inside and lashed the door from the inside with a rope drove 350 miles home this way.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #6 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yup, many of us have designed and installed a "lock out" tab for that bolt.
I can't find the Forum thread where I got the idea, but I just plugged up the hole (that the the sliding bolt goes into) with a short piece of wooden dowel.  Totally prevents the troublesome bolt from playing dirty tricks on you.  All we ever use to lock the entry door is the separate deadbolt lock.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #7 –
Jon,
If you take a ladder to the driver side you can insert a plastic or wood wedge between the sliding glass and then use a thin 6" scale or butter knife and lift the lock up.  It doesn't take much to spread the window, just enough to slide the scale between the glass and lift the lock.  You will have it open in less than a minute.  Then climb in the drivers side.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #8 –
Yup easy to do it with a putty knife
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #9 –
Maybe engage the lock with  the door open and whizz wheel the pin off.

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #10 –
Quote from: John Morales –
Jon,
If you take a ladder to the driver side you can insert a plastic or wood wedge between the sliding glass and then use a thin 6" scale or butter knife and lift the lock up.  It doesn't take much to spread the window, just enough to slide the scale between the glass and lift the lock.  You will have it open in less than a minute.  Then climb in the drivers side.
John M.

Just a suggestion - but maybe 'break-in' information like this should be shared via personal message instead of on the forum for all to see?  It's excellent advice and it works - but a little precaution never hurt anyone.
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #11 –
"small skinny kid in the neighborhood & boost him thru the window" been there done that.  Good luck.
I got rid of that "pin" from our previews 94FT.  Did not pay to much attention to the set up on our current FT. I better check before experience the same problem and have to go find a small kid. They are not playing out in front of their homes anymore, not easy to find one. Can't even find one to mow our grass for $10 bucks.
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #12 –
Our door would do that but it would "stick"about 2 feet down on the lock side.It would seem like its locked,if somehow you can
verify if the lock is open or closed that would help.We determined the rubber moulding was sticking and put armor all on and that
cured it.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #13 –
We had the same issue and ended up removing the slide bolt. We only use the deadbolt.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344
 

Re: Can't open door on my 1995 U300

Reply #14 –
Here's Brett's keepers for the door lockers. They do loosen up, so a little attention every once in a while.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'