Forum Discussion

jeeperdude10's avatar
jeeperdude10
Explorer
Dec 12, 2014

Entrance door malfunction

Whew!, I unlocked the MH this morning to load up for upcoming visit to see grandkids and wife closed door as she entered (it was 24 degrees this morning), well lo and behold the door would not open..thank God we have a class C so were able to access entrance. After about an hour or so of frustration and figuring and planning I was finally able to dismantle the entire mechanism. The "slide" that is made of POT METAL broke and thus rendered the door inoperable. Thank goodness the local RV parts dude had a new unit it stock...fixed and now can still be on schedule to see grands. Just an FYI, if it should happen to you HAVE A PLAN.
Seeking Advice
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer
    Dec 17, 2014
    Assuming there are no in-use patents, it is tempting to go to a place like Solid Concepts, take one of the handles, make precise 3D measurements of it, then have the metal shop make a laser sintered Iconel replica of all the core parts. It would function exactly the same... except that the metal used would be a lot more durable. If it is good enough for a rocket exhaust chamber, it is good enough to function day to day on a door. Of course, this wouldn't be cheap, but it would ensure the problem went away for good.
  • jergeod's avatar
    jergeod
    Explorer
    Dec 17, 2014
    Thanks I'll have to take a look at that before it happens to me.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2014
    jergeod wrote:
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    Been locked out by not just one of those locks but two. Both in incidents on the road that needed er repair..$$$$ both times.

    They have a million years inventory of that lock with the pot metal part that breaks. And stores have them in stock and sell them.

    I opened up the second lock a few weeks after it was installed and yup it was the same pot metal.

    I took that part out taped it and the opening in the door and use the lock with only one lock functioning. I am not in the mood for it to happen again.


    Is it the dead bolt that breaks?

    No. That's why I didn't have a problem disabling the regular key lock. I have the deadbolt part working.

    I'm sure when I go to sell it buyers are going to have a problem with it but I 'know' I will never get locked out again and have to pay for another lock! :W
  • jergeod's avatar
    jergeod
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2014
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    Been locked out by not just one of those locks but two. Both in incidents on the road that needed er repair..$$$$ both times.

    They have a million years inventory of that lock with the pot metal part that breaks. And stores have them in stock and sell them.

    I opened up the second lock a few weeks after it was installed and yup it was the same pot metal.

    I took that part out taped it and the opening in the door and use the lock with only one lock functioning. I am not in the mood for it to happen again.


    Is it the dead bolt that breaks?
  • RV_CONUS's avatar
    RV_CONUS
    Explorer
    Dec 13, 2014
    jeeperdude10 wrote:
    Just an FYI, if it should happen to you HAVE A PLAN.


    If you don't have a plan, hope for Dumb Luck!:B

    It's nice when a plan comes together!, have fun! Glad it worked out.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Dec 13, 2014
    Been locked out by not just one of those locks but two. Both in incidents on the road that needed er repair..$$$$ both times.

    They have a million years inventory of that lock with the pot metal part that breaks. And stores have them in stock and sell them.

    I opened up the second lock a few weeks after it was installed and yup it was the same pot metal.

    I took that part out taped it and the opening in the door and use the lock with only one lock functioning. I am not in the mood for it to happen again.
  • helperzack's avatar
    helperzack
    Explorer
    Dec 13, 2014
    We were locked in our class A MH once, and only one door.
    Called a dealer where we were and they said to come in when we got there. I told her that we could not get out. So I called when we arrived and three service guys came out with huge smiles on their faces. Two helped the third to climb in out dinette window, he had them bring out a drill and he got the door open.
    I purchased a new lock from them and installed it myself. They did not charge me anything to "break us out."
    The dealer was Tennessee RV just off I-40 East side of Knoxville. Good folks.
  • phillyg's avatar
    phillyg
    Explorer II
    Dec 13, 2014
    Every RV I've ever owned had lousy door hardware and I've always had to slam the doors to get and keep them shut. I've had to replace the pot metal mechanisms, too. Glad your problem was solvable. Geez, 24 degrees?
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Dec 13, 2014
    That sounds like the old style TriMark 60-0650 lock. Hopefully, the dealer sold you the newer redesigned model 60-1650 that's stronger.

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