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Topic: entrance door outside latch (Read 592 times) previous topic - next topic

entrance door outside latch

I have searched and been to PTL's utube videos.
My problem is that the outside door latch will not open the door a lot of the time, the inside latch opens it easily every time.
The PTL video shows a nut in the door frame edge under the latching mechanism. I don't have the hole and plug that covers an adjustment nut they are talking about. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am not looking forward to taking the inside stuff off the door, BUT I will if need be, I am too old to climb through a window. A campground isn't the best place to do this.
Thanks for any info
Ron
Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: entrance door outside latch

Reply #1 –
Are you sure you have A PTL door? 320's have it but not sure 295's do. How about some pictures of the latch pin on the door jam.
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: entrance door outside latch

Reply #2 –
I am sorry about your issues with the door latch.  In my situation, unfortunately, I have had to take the interior stuff off several times to deal with the outside latch handle.  The adjustments inside are sensitive and must be precisely adjusted.  The second time I messed with it, I replaced the outside door handle.  However, that really did not make much difference.  I should warn you that if you choose to replace the outside handle, it looks the same as the basement locker handles but it is very different.  The door handle mechanism pulls instead of pushes (or vice-versa).  The first handle I ordered from FoT parts, specifying it was for the door, they sent the wrong one.  They were very nice about the error and exchanged it for the correct one. 

Bottom line:  I believe that after twenty plus years, the pivot points on all the bits of the mechanism are worn enough that it is difficult to keep it in calibration.  My outside latch is still not easy to operate but so far (knock wood) it always opens the door. 

good luck,

Richard
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: entrance door outside latch

Reply #3 –
There is an adjustment inside the door, between the latch and the handle. You don't have to take the entire vinyl piece off the door, just the screws below the window frame. Just did mine. There is a linkage rod that is adjustable. Be careful and don't drop the retainer clip for the rod. Once you look at its simple. The door is a PTL.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: entrance door outside latch

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Jan & Richard –
I am sorry about your issues with the door latch.  In my situation, unfortunately, I have had to take the interior stuff off several times to deal with the outside latch handle.  The adjustments inside are sensitive and must be precisely adjusted.  The second time I messed with it, I replaced the outside door handle.  However, that really did not make much difference.  I should warn you that if you choose to replace the outside handle, it looks the same as the basement locker handles but it is very different.  The door handle mechanism pulls instead of pushes (or vice-versa).  The first handle I ordered from FoT parts, specifying it was for the door, they sent the wrong one.  They were very nice about the error and exchanged it for the correct one. 

Bottom line:  I believe that after twenty plus years, the pivot points on all the bits of the mechanism are worn enough that it is difficult to keep it in calibration.  My outside latch is still not easy to operate but so far (knock wood) it always opens the door. 

good luck,

Richard
Same for me only I couldn't get out with the inside latch handle. Richard is correct the linkage is very touchy. Once you have the inside panel off you will see how it all works and what needs to be tweaked. Once I straightened mine out haven't had a problem since. But I do keep my tools inside now as I had to lower  a grandson out the window to fetch them up to me.
Good luck just dive in, it's not hard. Hardest part is screws on the window if you don't have a power screwdriver.
I wouldn't even think about doing a partial loosening of the panel not hard to take completely off.
Larry
Larry & Debbie Town
2000 U320 4210 
Previous 88 GV

Re: entrance door outside latch

Reply #5 –
Quote from: craneman –
Are you sure you have A PTL door? 320's have it but not sure 295's do. How about some pictures of the latch pin on the door jam.
I have tried to post pictures but haven't been able to figure it out. I will keep trying craneman.
Thanks everyone that has sent info. Next week will be 100 degrees plus, I may wait till temp goes down.
Ron
Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: entrance door outside latch

Reply #6 –
Bruce confirmed you have the PTL door. Does the pin on the door jam move freely? There was a discussion a few years back where members were not aware it is supposed to move.
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: entrance door outside latch

Reply #8 –
Quote from: craneman –
Bruce confirmed you have the PTL door. Does the pin on the door jam move freely? There was a discussion a few years back where members were not aware it is supposed to move.
Craneman  I made sure that it moved. I read in other posts where it needed to move. I did spray contact cleaner on the latching mechanism and then spayed silicone lube and it is working pretty good now especially as hot as it is outside.
Thanks again
Ron
Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: entrance door outside latch

Reply #9 –
I have to use silicone spray regularly to keep my door operating.

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: entrance door outside latch

Reply #10 –
As per post #3, I just went through this with my 98 U270. Could pull outside handle but often didn't open. Worked fine from inside. Nacogdoches Motorhome Service adjusted mine as per BBean. Works great now, wife much happier.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.