Chassis flex...interior doors wont stay closed when hitched

Strabo wrote:

lincster wrote:
Something isn't right.

I would be more concerned with the items that are flexing that you can't see as obvious.
Like welds on the frame, or pin box or axle mounting points.

Agree, seems this is a big problem lately from what I read.

I also agree that you need to keep a watchful eye for other signs of problems. I also had the underside trim around the front, under the bedroom slip down as you could see where it originally was from the caulking. Also that same area under the 5th wheel where the front cap and the fiberglass skin come together would separate. Enough to the point it was shearing a couple self tapping screws and others backing out pushing down the rubber trim that conceals that joint.

I bought the trailer brand new so cheap(40k, msrp was 80k) because it was one of the first built and used as a demo in the factory. The downside was no factory warranty. A two year extended warranty was included and took effect year two and three, but we all know how great those warranties are, especially when it comes to structural issues. Needless to say after 2.5 years we just recently offed the trailer. We enjoyed it and it was overall an ok product, but it was time to move the truck and trailer as we were mot using it as much as we should have been. Not sure if those flexing issues were going to get worse, but I know they were not going to get better over time. I am glad I am not going to be the one to find out.

Seen this before.

As you know, the frame/body are flexing just slightly, too slightly separate the door latch/door jam.
Measure the gap between the jam and door, top and bottom corner, latch side. Both loaded on hitch and off.
From this measurement differential, figure if weight has to be removed or loaded behind axle or in front of axle to counter act frame flex door jam separation.

Two thoughts on this,
1) Slightly flexible frame(to a small degree) might ease TH road/offroad)damage/wear from a non compliant frame..?

2)Some have beefed the frame to solve this condition..?

Got three doors and all stay closed. Don't know what I'm doing right.

I have a 2014 Fuzion 331 and my bedroom does has this issue. When level, it closes just fine. When hooked up it won't stay closed.

Seems a bit sketchy to me, but it may be normal for that unit? I know I have not had that issue at all with our XLR, and our roads up here suck!!

Our 2010 Fuzion 383 had a bathroom door that wouldn't latch when the 5th wheel was hitched to the truck. The door was about 1/8" from latching, and never was a problem when unhitched. I filed just enough off the inside of the latch to allow the door to stay latched when hitched. The "tongue" part is right at the very top of the strike plate when the door is closed, so it probably wouldn't have been an issue if the "tongue" had been centered on the strike plate.

Since I removed just enough material to allow the door to latch, I figure if the door starts not latching again it will mean the frame has flexed and stayed flexed. Which would not necessarily be a good thing. So far after 5 years and thousands of miles the door still latches. So I'm operating under the assumption that a little flex occurs with minimal damage.