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Topic: Compartment door opening while driving (Read 782 times) previous topic - next topic

Compartment door opening while driving

While we are at FOT we had the locking system repaired, which seems to activate the solenoids fine, but even when double checking, i.e pushing on all 4 corners to ensure the "click" we have had a constant door opening issue. (Small wet manifold door). 6 times traveling from FOT to Escapees North Ranch, and at least 1-2 times every trip. Frustrating to say the least.

Does anyone have a cure/adjustments for this. Thanks in advance

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #1 –
OSIN,
Not sure about your problem, I usually just give mine the foretravel lean.  Push on each corner with my calf.  Never had one come open, but have head of it happening to others.  Please post your repair for others.

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #2 –
The frame had some movement at the bottom on ours letting the pin move some. 

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #3 –
There will be a adjustment point on your bay door locks.  Something you can move to make the door fit "tighter" when closed and latched.  On our old '93 U280 it is the pins that the latch grabs.  I can loosen them and slide in or out to adjust door.  Your U295 should have something similar.

The door latches may not be engaging fully on the pins.  Moving the pins out a bit will let them lock more securely.

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #4 –
Are these pantographic style doors?

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #5 –
Sometimes a gunked up latching mechanism can be the issue. That was the case on my gen radiator door under the drivers position. Ended up spraying degreaser in it and that did the trick. 

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #7 –
Osin, much easier to reply to your need if we know model & year of your coach.

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #8 –
You can get a pretty good look at the top latches from inside the Joey bed on mine. The bottom latches are a little different story, at least when FT first came out with pantograph doors. The "tooth" was worn (rounded a bit) and putting a couple of thin washers under the strike plate on the horizontal lip raised it enough. Cheap workaround to replacing the 24 year old latch.

My doors have been prone to opening underway since we painted her and had two bay doors replaced at FT. The last trip thru NAC last month, we got a tune up adjustment while we were there for parts and a wiper fix.

Worst Open Door Surprise happened at a Chicago toll booth. No damage to the coach and I can color my hair back to my natural color someday. In an emergency, a long ratchet-type strap tie down will do wonders for your peace of mind. Old school.

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #10 –
His/her profile indicated a '03 U-295  40'

Mike

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #11 –
You can adjust the locking mechanism as well as the studs a bit, at least you could on my 01

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Green99 –
OSIN,
Not sure about your problem, I usually just give mine the foretravel lean.  Push on each corner with my calf.  Never had one come open, but have head of it happening to others.  Please post your repair for others.
They just fly open, even after double checking. and the LEAN move.

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
There will be a adjustment point on your bay door locks.  Something you can move to make the door fit "tighter" when closed and latched.  On our old '93 U280 it is the pins that the latch grabs.  I can loosen them and slide in or out to adjust door.  Your U295 should have something similar.

The door latches may not be engaging fully on the pins.  Moving the pins out a bit will let them lock more securely.

OK, I'll move the top pins out from the coach see if that helps.

Tks

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #15 –
It's a 2003 U295 WTFS.....I'm learning the meaning of the 1st 3 letter code...LOL

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike date=1536189830 link=msg=324119]
His/her profile indicated a '03 U-295  40'

Mike
[/quote]

That's Me![quote author=Old Knucklehead –
nk=msg=324112 date=1536185572]
You can get a pretty good look at the top latches from inside the Joey bed on mine. The bottom latches are a little different story, at least when FT first came out with pantograph doors. The "tooth" was worn (rounded a bit) and putting a couple of thin washers under the strike plate on the horizontal lip raised it enough. Cheap workaround to replacing the 24 year old latch.

My doors have been prone to opening underway since we painted her and had two bay doors replaced at FT. The last trip thru NAC last month, we got a tune up adjustment while we were there for parts and a wiper fix.

Worst Open Door Surprise happened at a Chicago toll booth. No damage to the coach and I can color my hair back to my natural color someday. In an emergency, a long ratchet-type strap tie down will do wonders for your peace of mind. Old school.


Thanks for the Washer tip, My bottom latch screws are quite rusted, I'll soak on Penetrating oil and try this one.
 

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #18 –
We've also had a regular problem with this, causing us to push against the corners with calves before we drive anywhere.  We also put some washers under the strike plate, compensating for the worn latch and that has helped.