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Topic: Compartment door opening while driving (Read 703 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

Prior 2003 U295  40ft  400Hp -Sold
2020 F350 Tremor - Sold
2021 Bundutec Roadrunner - Sold
2017 Airstream Classic - Sold that POS
2017 F250 - Sold
2019 Sprinter Van - Sold
2022 Winnebago Revel 4x4


Army Airborne Vet.

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.
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #2 –
The frame had some movement at the bottom on ours letting the pin move some. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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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.
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: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #4 –
Are these pantographic style doors?
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

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. 
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Johnstons –
The frame had some movement at the bottom on ours letting the pin move some. 
Same on ours. Opened the big door going across the Golden Gate!

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

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.
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Osin, much easier to reply to your need if we know model & year of your coach.
One of his posts stated he has a U295 Don't know what doors are on that model myself
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

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

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

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
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: 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.
Prior 2003 U295  40ft  400Hp -Sold
2020 F350 Tremor - Sold
2021 Bundutec Roadrunner - Sold
2017 Airstream Classic - Sold that POS
2017 F250 - Sold
2019 Sprinter Van - Sold
2022 Winnebago Revel 4x4


Army Airborne Vet.

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
Prior 2003 U295  40ft  400Hp -Sold
2020 F350 Tremor - Sold
2021 Bundutec Roadrunner - Sold
2017 Airstream Classic - Sold that POS
2017 F250 - Sold
2019 Sprinter Van - Sold
2022 Winnebago Revel 4x4


Army Airborne Vet.

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Alan & Gerri Ortiz –
Are these pantographic style doors?

Greyhound Bus Style Doors.
Prior 2003 U295  40ft  400Hp -Sold
2020 F350 Tremor - Sold
2021 Bundutec Roadrunner - Sold
2017 Airstream Classic - Sold that POS
2017 F250 - Sold
2019 Sprinter Van - Sold
2022 Winnebago Revel 4x4


Army Airborne Vet.

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
Prior 2003 U295  40ft  400Hp -Sold
2020 F350 Tremor - Sold
2021 Bundutec Roadrunner - Sold
2017 Airstream Classic - Sold that POS
2017 F250 - Sold
2019 Sprinter Van - Sold
2022 Winnebago Revel 4x4


Army Airborne Vet.

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.
Prior 2003 U295  40ft  400Hp -Sold
2020 F350 Tremor - Sold
2021 Bundutec Roadrunner - Sold
2017 Airstream Classic - Sold that POS
2017 F250 - Sold
2019 Sprinter Van - Sold
2022 Winnebago Revel 4x4


Army Airborne Vet.

Re: Compartment door opening while driving

Reply #17 –
Quote from: craneman –
One of his posts stated he has a U295 Don't know what doors are on that model myself

The Greyhound Bus Type, Vertical Opening
Prior 2003 U295  40ft  400Hp -Sold
2020 F350 Tremor - Sold
2021 Bundutec Roadrunner - Sold
2017 Airstream Classic - Sold that POS
2017 F250 - Sold
2019 Sprinter Van - Sold
2022 Winnebago Revel 4x4


Army Airborne Vet.

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.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8