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Topic: Bay door latch repair (Read 754 times) previous topic - next topic

Bay door latch repair

Hi all,

I have just purchased a 2000 U320 and I am so excited!  The Coach is beautiful but not perfect! Being I had to duck tape a bay door down in order to get in to Cummins for a Chassis inspection I figure a latch repair be my first project.

Can anyone give me a few pointers on reattaching the latch mechanism to the bay door?
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Bay door latch repair

Reply #1 –
I had that happen on the road so I got some fender washers and carriage bolts and drilled thru the latch and sidewall. I had xtreme fix it later on.
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: Bay door latch repair

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Farrarkc –


Can anyone give me a few pointers on reattaching the latch mechanism to the bay door?

Some pretty good advice on the repair in this post:
Cargo Bay Door latch

Good Luck, Dave A
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Bay door latch repair

Reply #3 –
This post shows my and others repair:    What type of rivet for latch repair
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Bay door latch repair

Reply #4 –

I have done them as Folivier shows except use 3M VHB tape instead of the 3M 5200. Either will work, no setup time with the tape. Use screws or pop rivets.  Zip Dee uses rivets like these with bigger heads and expanding shanks that fold open.

You may need to adjust the latching pin for best fit after fixing the latch this way.

This is the 3M VHB tape that I use.  Lots of varieties of this but this one gets used a lot.  Handy to have in your kit.
Amazon.com: 3M VHB Heavy Duty Mounting Tape 5952, 0.75" width x 5yd length...

This is a cleaner/primer/adhesion enhancer for the 3M VHB tape.  It really helps improve the result.
Amazon.com: 3M 111 Clear Tape Primer - Liquid Bottle - For Use With 3M VHB...

You can get it in single use wipes as well.
Amazon.com: 3M 4298 Adhesion Promoter, 5 Sponge Applicators (Choose 3, 5 or...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Bay door latch repair

Reply #5 –
My side bay door had a break in attempt that completely tore out the nut inserts that had previously been installed, leaving 4 large holes. I cut a piece of 1/8" aluminum plate about an inch bigger that the latch mechanism on all sides.  Sanded the area around where the latch went, drilled a few holes in the aluminum away from where the latch mounting screws would be, and a few small (3/16) holes in the door where the plate was being mounted. Put a thick layer of JB Weld on the door and on the aluminum plate. Clamped it firmly allowing the glue to seep through the holes in the plate as well as into the holes in the door.  After it all set up and completely dried, installed the latch back with sheet metal screws into the aluminum.  Has been holding strong ever since.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad