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Topic: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger) (Read 793 times) previous topic - next topic

Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

When we bought our Foretravel, there were only two screws holding the screen door latch bracket. Before too long those two gave up the ghost and I was left with an unsecurable screen door. One of the downsides of this is what happens when you have the latch a little bit out of position and slam the vault-type door on it. I want to keep that repair to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
 
I asked for suggestion on this forum, but did not get much interest in the topic. I wound up breaking several toothpicks in half and gluing them together with yellow wood glue. After they dried, I trimmed them and installed the screen door latch bracket with three new screws. This worked fine until my brother came to visit. He helped me install a 50 amp outlet to plug in the RV on a semi-permanent basis.
 
[It was really my fault. I was showing off my Foretravel and asked him to close the door, without an appropriate briefing beforehand. Civilian! However, since he was down here in the heat and working in my un-air conditioned garage, and my REALLY un-air conditioned attic, I did not accuse him. What the heck, stuff happens. And he is my brother; and I have a nice 50 amp RV outlet!]
 
For my next attempt at a permanent repair, I plan to install three 1/2" dowels glued to whatever presents itself under the interior panel. Fortunately, I am going to  have to remove and replace the door window, so I will learn much more about what is inside that panel.  :headwall:
 
Anyone else already done this repair successfully? How did you do it?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #1 –
I would wait until I remove the window before I attempted to secure the latch with dowels. It appears to me that you may be able to slide something behind the door panel (piece of wood..or metal?) That would work better than the dowels. Thinking a bit more about it I believe I would remove the window to make any repairs in any case.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #2 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –

Anyone else already done this repair successfully? How did you do it?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

I will be watching this one Trent, mine is hanging on by a thread too. A screw thread.
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)

Re: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #3 –
The black plastic part on mine that holds the latch handle broke off.  I replaced that part with a piece of tough lexan plastic that I had after my first poxy glue fix failed after holding for a while. I am pretty sure those are sheet metal type screws.  If they are,  you might want to try just going up to the next size, same length.  You might have to drill a slightly bigger hole in the plastic part.  Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #4 –
I would wait until you take the door apart.  You may find that the best solution is a hollow wall anchor.  I think the door has a plywood skin and foam core.

See my write up that is linked in the recent "Water Moccasin" post.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #5 –
How about using some nutserts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz2yZNqGNqo
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #6 –
Depending on room once you take the door apart, I would lean toward a piece of plywood or more likely, an 1/8" thick piece of aluminum that you could drill and tap before putting behind the inner cover.  Then use screws to attach it-- totally bombproof.

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: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #7 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
I would lean toward a piece of plywood or more likely, an 1/8" thick piece of aluminum that you could drill and tap before putting behind the inner cover.  Then use screws to attach it-- totally bombproof.

Brett,

I like that idea. I happen to have some left over aluminum 1/8" stock from my bay door latch episode.

Thanks,

Trent

PS: Jean is getting excited about our upcoming road trip; see you in Madison!
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Mogan David –
suggest you contact the door manufacturer, PTL, Rochester, MI before f'ing it up

Handles & Locking Mechanisms | PTL Engineering
Customer Service | PTL Engineering
I don't believe his problem is with a messed up latch but with gouged out holes in the door panel.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Roland Begin –
I don't believe his problem is with a messed up latch but with gouged out holes in the door panel.

Roland
I understand that, Rolald -- holes in the *PTL* door panel.  Whom better to consult as to construction and remedy than *PTL* ?
Mogan David
1999 U295 36'

Re: Screen Door Latch Bracket (Formerly Called a Thingamajigger)

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Mogan David –
I understand that, Rolald -- holes in the *PTL* door panel.  Whom better to consult as to construction and remedy than *PTL* ?

My bad didn't see that they made the door panel. :facepalm:

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers