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Topic: Coach door removal (Read 1113 times) previous topic - next topic

Coach door removal

New to me, 96 U270 - 1st question of many!

Need to replace the fridge, so it appears the coach door has to come off.  I would think this is a standard problem but can't find it addressed anywhere.  It would appear the process would be to disconnect the strap that prevents the door from swinging open to far, and then remove the screws from the hinge that go into the door.  Correct?
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #1 –
Check with MOT - When I spoke with them, they said they removed a side window and took it out that way...
 
Quote
old_nodaker wrote:  find it addressed anywhere. It would appear the process would be to disconnect the strap that prevents the door from swinging open to far, and then remove the screws from the hinge that go into the door. Correct?           
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #2 –
Sorry to be dense, but what's a MOT?
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #3 –
Motorhomes of Texas. They are right down the street from the factory.

They know Foretravel up, down and sideways.

1 800 651 1112, ask for service.
 
Quote
old_nodaker wrote:  Sorry to be dense, but what's a MOT?           
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #4 –
Why do you need to remove the fridge?

Pat
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #5 –
Old "  I would not remove the font door . I would remove the curb side dining area window,much easier to R & R ,less distance to drag the frig as well.
That is how we have done this at our shop.
Ron In ICT
I.CW.
99 U320-40

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #6 –
I understand that the correct and approved method of exchanging reefers is to remove one of the three large windows in the coach and pass the reefer out through the window.
My guess is, that if you take the door off you will still have problems getting the reefer out through it and you'll probably never get the door to fit right after that process.
FWIW,
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my remaining obligations.
Welcome to WeRV2 (Under Construction)
Find Jon: Via Satellite Tracker Datastorm Users
The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others.

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #7 –
When we replaced our washer/dryer they took a side window out. There may be more room there, or even one of the front windows if necessary.
Eric
Eric & Nancy
1999 36 Ft. U320 WTFE
2016 GMC Terrain

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #8 –
Thanks for the responses.  My idea was that rather than dump a bunch of money repairing a 15 year old frig I'd just get a new one.  The place I talked to in Fargo mentioned removing the door.  Maybe I'd better re-think who I have do it.  I'll go look at the windows, but ask the question as long as I'm here - are you talking about just the glass coming out, or the whole frame?
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #9 –
I recommend installing a new fridge rather fixing an old unit.  Many replace cooling unit on old fridges, just because of the difficulties of fitting fridges through doors and windows.

Cooling unit replacement can take place right inside coach.

Coach door will come off easily and go back on ok.  It is heavy, so have someone to assist.  Screws are attached to captive sliding nuts in the door frame.  Top white part of hinge does not come off.  Remove screws drop door down.

You may find that if the door way has enough width for your new fridge to fit, without removing door, if you loosen & rotate outside mirror, remove bottom door strap, remove awning vertical support and open door all  the way so it does not take up any of your doorway width.

Pull out old fridge and then while it is inside coach, remove cooling unit on back and take fridge door off.  This will easily allow you to remove old fridge.  New fridge without door is another thing.  It may fit, but will have to be lifted very high to clear dash.  A flat plywood board will help.

Lifting new fridge up to where it is going to go also takes care to not damage wood as fridge is heavy.

If doorway does not work, removing a window is straight forward, but window has to have the right dimensions to fit your new fridge.  Remove all the screws holding the inside window frame in place and remove window frame.

Window could now fall out, but usually doesn't as the stick caulk between outside wall and outer window frame will hold it in place, but to be sure have someone outside on a ladder holding window in place.  With a plastic putty knife, work around the outside window frame to loosen putty and remove window.  Coach window naked opening will probably be enough to slip fridge in and out.  But a board  and fork lift may be helpful.  Clean off putty from fiberglass and window frame.  James Stallings at Xtremegraphics http://xtremegraphics.net/ uses a 1-piece foam, similar to weather stripping, to seal windows to fiberglass. It does not 'run' and allows window to be more easily be removed in the future.  After putting inside frame back in place, try to use the same original holes in outside window when replacing screws.  The small screws can break if over torqued when removing or reinstalling.

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #10 –
When I was looking to move up from my '92 Grandvilla, the people at MOT explained that Foretravel didn't  standardize the width of the doors until

'97, that the '95 and some of the '96's had a narrower door.  This may indeed prevent the removal of your fridge through the door.

In my opinion, your approach makes a lot of sense.  My fridge lasted 15 years; instead of replacing the cooling unit (would have saved about $250),

I bought a new one 4 years ago.  It has worked perfectly (knock on wood), and I expect it to continue to do so for another 6 years or so.

Don Hay

'92 U-280, The Hayfever Express
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #11 –
whole frame.

Quote
old_nodaker wrote:

'Foretravel Tech Talk' Board.

Thanks for the responses. My idea was that rather than dump a bunch of money repairing a 15 year old frig I'd just get a new one. The place I talked to in Fargo mentioned removing the door. Maybe I'd better re-think who I have do it. I'll go look at the windows, but ask the question as long as I'm here - are you talking about just the glass coming out, or the whole frame?

The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #12 –
In thinking about this, if you are located near where somebody does a LOT of motorhome windshield replacement, I would inquire about the cost of coming to the refrigerator service location and removing and replacing the passenger side windshield.

A competent windshield guy can remove it in 10 minutes and replace it in 20 minutes.

I had both of mine done and I couldn't believe how fast it was done.

I think that everyone involved would find it to be the best solution.
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my remaining obligations.
Welcome to WeRV2 (Under Construction)
Find Jon: Via Satellite Tracker Datastorm Users
The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others.

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #13 –
Okay, I see a plan developing.  (I doubt if there's anybody in the area that does LOTS of windshield work, so that's out.)  But if I can get the old one out the door without to much problem, I'll do a replacement with a 4 cuft house style that I know well go through the door.  Hear me out now, I already have this model fridge in my ex-MH and I can easily run it on the inverter for a day or two if need be, so I know it works.  The type traveling I do now that will not be a problem, never more than a day from shore power, or a grocery store.  I know I'll have to do some cabinet and minor electrical work, but I can do that.  Later in life when the need arises I can always convert back. 
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #14 –
We found a black $300 2-door electric apartment size fridge at Lowe's that could fit though our door.  It would also fit where our gas fridge now sits.

But we decided to stick with gas for now and replace ours with a new gas unit in the future.

Re: Coach door removal

Reply #15 –
Well, the old one is out.  Not that bad a job, about 3 hours, mostly figuring out the next step and looking for the tool I just used and can't find now.  Main secret is the 1 x 6 board and 6 pound hammer to break it loose from the sealant, making sure of course that all fasteners were removed first.  I broke it down enough so it would go out the door.
1996 U270
Build #4846