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Topic: Important modification for single latch small rear compartment doors (Read 858 times) previous topic - next topic

Important modification for single latch small rear compartment doors

Coaches, like ours, with small curb-side & street-side rear 'compartment' doors use a single-latch that is the same one used on all the dual-latch full size compartment doors.

All the dual-latch doors have handles pulling the rods side-ways, allowing for a full latch release.

The single-latch doors have the handle pull a short rod straight-up, only allowing a very small amount of pull movement.  There is little room for adjustment and often over time, the latch does not fully release.

I have modified the single-latch design so the handle now pulls the rod side-ways for a full release with the same amount of handle lifting as the dual-latch doors. 

Re: Important modification for single latch small rear compartment doors

Reply #1 –
OK...what did you do? Inquiring minds yadda yadda
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Important modification for single latch small rear compartment doors

Reply #2 –
I posted pictures of a very similar solution a couple years ago, however, I have found that the extra pressure on the mechanism has caused it to malfunction.
I have not yet fixed the malfunction so use a wire to pull the latching lever. I reach the wire from under the door, because behind the door is open space.


Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Important modification for single latch small rear compartment doors

Reply #3 –
Wyatt, our 'original' first photo shows our wire pull we used to use to open door.  We would reach under door and pull on wire while pulling open the door.  We only seemed to need it when the original latch had some wear so the action needed to be pulled further to unlatch.  And with the short side-ways movement, there was no more 'further' to be had.

Re: Important modification for single latch small rear compartment doors

Reply #4 –
Barry:
I wonder what that wire was for! 
My arm attached to the hand handle is longer than yours, so requires more force on the hand handle. I plan to modify mine by making it shorter and adding a guide so the finger in the mechanism cannot slide by the plate it pushes on.
I will post a picture when I figure out how to do it (again).
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Important modification for single latch small rear compartment doors

Reply #5 –
The only modification to the latch was drilling a second hole to force the rod to move side-ways instead of pivoting on the original single bolt.  We unbolted the part so it could be drilled on a workbench.  The required pivot is now on the end of the rod instead of on the handle mechanism.