Forum Discussion

allnight's avatar
allnight
Explorer
Dec 01, 2014

Replace side door? Whole thing

The door RV door has been sagging for quite a while, and only recently realized that it's because the top hinge his bent. Because of this bend, the door latch barely works and the door hits at top edge and bottom below the latch.

I searched and haven't found any mention of this kind of problem before, but probably missed it.

Any suggestions? I think the previous owner had a run-in with a tree long ago, which I think explains the some of the problem, and I think the trip to Burning Man explains the majority. (Many very drunk people going in and out and hanging on the door.)

Anybody done anything like this? I'm not even sure where to find replacement doors. Are they somewhat standardized?

9 Replies

  • ScottnSherrie's avatar
    ScottnSherrie
    Explorer
    Dec 13, 2014
    dougrainer wrote:
    RV Entry doors on Towables are NOT like residential doors or any other type doors. The ONLY way to fix the problem you described is to replace the COMPLETE door assembly. On Towables, you just remove the outside screw cover and remove the mount screws and any inside valance or other equipment mounted to the inside frame. PULL the old door and REMEMBER to NOT OPEN THE NEW DOOR AT ALL, INSTALL IT AS IT WAS SHIPPED. If you open the new door before installing you will have the alignment shims fall out and your new door will not be square and operate correctly. Even under warranty, we replace the complete door assbly for bent or incorrect install from the factory. Doug


    Replaced the door on The Old Gal a few years ago. Had to custom order as it was an odd size. Ditto on the above.
  • Vanha_Pieru's avatar
    Vanha_Pieru
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2014
    Google RV Salvage or similar and look for a yard in your area. Our RV door is broke at the latch and the yard I called said if I get him the specs on the home he will search his yard for one. Surely lots cheaper than a New one, just be sure to check it for straight and square, etc. If it's just the door should not be too hard to put it in, but if it's the "hole" that sounds like the whole unit as suggested by others.
    Good luck.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Dec 02, 2014
    RV Entry doors on Towables are NOT like residential doors or any other type doors. The ONLY way to fix the problem you described is to replace the COMPLETE door assembly. On Towables, you just remove the outside screw cover and remove the mount screws and any inside valance or other equipment mounted to the inside frame. PULL the old door and REMEMBER to NOT OPEN THE NEW DOOR AT ALL, INSTALL IT AS IT WAS SHIPPED. If you open the new door before installing you will have the alignment shims fall out and your new door will not be square and operate correctly. Even under warranty, we replace the complete door assbly for bent or incorrect install from the factory. Doug
  • allnight's avatar
    allnight
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2014
    Thanks for all the input!! I don't know why contacting Thor didn't occur to me. And, thanks for the link to Hehr, based on what I can see from the website (and the detailed PDF), it looks like that is in fact the door I have.

    I don't have any pics of the actual problem right now, I'll see if I can get some tomorrow after work.
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2014
    When our trailer found a parked school bus bumper we replaced the entire door.

    1. Remove weather stripping from around door.
    2. In the channel will be about 40 screws. Remove them and save.
    3. Gently pull entire door and frame to break the gasket loose.
    4. Install new gasket
    5. Install new door
    6. Replace screws
    7.Replace weatherstripping.

    If you can use a screwdriver, you can do it. Fairly simple, straight forward job.
  • Road_Runners's avatar
    Road_Runners
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2014
    I would think you could take off the door. You have to remove the row of screws on the piano hinge. Then, straighten the hinge and reinstall it. This would be much less expensive than buying a new door.

    My door was looking rather haggard. I removed it, took it apart and hauled the exterior panel to an auto body shop and had it painted. They matched the color of the fiver perfectly. It now looks GREAT!
  • jrnymn7's avatar
    jrnymn7
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2014
    Perhaps a simple hinge fix would suffice? If it's bent, unbend it.

    Perhaps you could upload a picture or two.

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