Forum Discussion

lamopar's avatar
lamopar
Explorer
Apr 11, 2021

Main entry door shuts hard

So I have a problem with the latch on the unit. It does not seem to close easy unless, just using my finger, I semi polish the latch that retracts. If I just rub my finger up and down on it then it will shut with just a simple push of the door. Then after about 20 times it is super hard to operate again. I have lubricated the mechanism with dry silicone spray and it works very easy but it seem to just be the contact point between the strike plate and the latch. I figure someone out there has the easy answer to making close easy without constantly rubbing it. I was thinking about taking my rotary polisher and trying to polish up latch so there are no micro abrasions on it and maybe it would work better. Just looking for ideas to try. By the way, the latch mechanism works perfect and there is no damage to the strike plate. The door does not catch in any way and polishing with my finger it closes with a lite push.
Toy Haulers

8 Replies

Sort By
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Apr 18, 2021
    Well I keep a bar of paraffin wax (canning wax) in my tool box, works great and doesn’t come off clothes.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Apr 18, 2021
    You just need to lube the strike plate, or better choice, the latch that hits the plate, with a lube that lasts a while. Grease works, if you are careful with clothing. A dry lube, or motorcycle chain wax is good. Even a lube you have at home for getting into tight places (KY), will work short term, an will wash out of clothing easily.

    Jerry
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Apr 16, 2021
    In my house I had a door latch that behaved moistly the same. I would spray some silicone spray on a paper towel and wipe off the striker and plate and it would work for a while. Eventually I just replaced the lock and plate and it has worked fine ever since. For your situation I would ask if the finger rub is depositing oils or just moving the latch up and down and freeing it from some internal binding.

    If it acts up again I would rub the striker with a folded paper towel between my finger and the latch. Or put your hand inside a plastic bag and do the rub. If the door closes easily after the rub with no chance of oil transfer then I would say the internals are suspect.

    Alternatively if it acts up again you could try spraying a tiny bit of lubricant onto the latch without touching it and see if it helps. that would also tell you if it's the oil or the jiggling of the latch that's doing the work.
  • lamopar's avatar
    lamopar
    Explorer
    Apr 16, 2021
    So I took my Dremel with a polishing pad and polished both the strike plate and latch. It shut perfect afterwards but I did, of course, rub it with my fingers to see how smooth it is. I am going to open and shut it a bunch over the next few days to see if it holds up. It currently shuts with just a light push.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Apr 11, 2021
    take a really good look at the strike plate ,sounds like its touching some where.
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Apr 11, 2021
    Just off the top is there any chance of recessing the strike plate a tad or, at least, the forward edge of the plate?
  • lamopar's avatar
    lamopar
    Explorer
    Apr 11, 2021
    Thanks. I didn't think about using the Dremel to polish it up a bit. That will be easier than with the big polisher.
  • arhayes's avatar
    arhayes
    Explorer
    Apr 11, 2021
    I’d suspect that the “finger polishing” is depositing enough skin oil to ease the closure. I’d suspect that even though you aren’t seeing strike plate markings, it may not be a smooth fit. If you could find some carbon paper or other way to identify high spots, I think you’d solve it. I had similar issues with mine early on and found a high spot that I polished out with my Dremel tool. Good luck.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,011 PostsLatest Activity: Apr 19, 2025