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Topic: Closet doors come open when driving (Read 1234 times) previous topic - next topic

Closet doors come open when driving

My '04 295 has fore aft bedroom closet doors that are held closed by 2 small round plastic locks that push into mating holes in the door frame.  Unfortunately, these locks don't really hold the doors closed especially on bumpy (that is, normal) roads.  I'm not sure if this is the standard arrangement on FT for a long time but the seem not up to the job especially since the mirrored doors are heavy.

Has anyone figured out an additional fastener to hold the doors closed? 

I've thought of inserting an expanding tension rod vertically by the door handles but that would be hard to put in/take out repeatedly and I'm not sure they would hold.  The other thing I have thought of is to drill a hole in the aluminium door handles and insert a pin through into the frame but this wouldn't be pretty and hard to find something that wouldn't stick out and catch your fingers.

I can add a picture of the door if the design is different than other years.

Thanks for the help.
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Closet doors come open when driving

Reply #1 –
Take off the "ball" part and shim it out about 1/8 of an inch with a piece of wood or metal under the base.  That allows the part on the door to close all the way around the ball and latch completely.  MOT did this on my 2000 U-320 and cured problem for good (course, you do need to remember to close them before you drive away....:-)
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Re: Closet doors come open when driving

Reply #2 –
Quote
My '04 295 has fore aft bedroom closet doors that are held closed by 2 small round plastic locks that push into mating holes in the door frame.  Unfortunately, these locks don't really hold the doors closed especially on bumpy (that is, normal) roads.
Quote
I've thought of inserting an expanding tension rod vertically by the door handles but that would be hard to put in/take out repeatedly and I'm not sure they would hold.
We just cut a piece of 1/2 inch wood dowel rod and lay it in the track. It works great. I put a small eye bolt on one end to make it easy to remove and then hang it inside the closet by the eye bolt till we need it again.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
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Re: Closet doors come open when driving

Reply #3 –
Thanks to you both for your ideas ---- I'll try them.
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Closet doors come open when driving

Reply #4 –
It sounds like you are having a problem keeping sliding doors closed.  We don't have sliding doors, but your posting reminded me what we did to keep our hinged doors closed when driving.

We installed a child-proof Tot-Lok latch on a dozen doors that when 'locked' door will not open no mater what is pushing from behind.  Latches are concealed and opened with a magnet held to the outside.  These latches are marketed to those who do not need the positive lock all the time so the latches have a plastic bail that keeps the latch in unlocked position.  Original door latches are retained to keep doors closed when not using new locks.  I found the plastic bail flimsy and removed them and use a short bolt in the hole the bail was in.  They work great and we have have not had a pantry dump when the coach is accidently tipped like driving over a curb pulling out of driveway.

https://www.safety1st.com/usa/eng/Products/Home-Safety/Latches-Locks/Details/110-71175-Tot-Lok-Deluxe-Starter-Set

Re: Closet doors come open when driving

Reply #5 –
I put in the brass type latches and they can have their tension adjusted with a screwdriver. works great.
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Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
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