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Bedroom door comes open during travel.

way2roll
Navigator II
Navigator II
I noticed that the bedroom door sometimes comes open during travel. I assume it's due to the rigors of going down the road and the FW frame flexing. I am worried the doorknob will eventually put a hole in the wall. Was thinking of a 2 way door stop like this one:
2 way door stop

But the FW door gap is greater at the floor than a residential door.

I guess I could make one out of wood and attach foam rubber to it. I am concerned a magnetic latch wouldn't hold it on a bad road.

Anyone have this issue and a solution?

Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
32 REPLIES 32

way2roll
Navigator II
Navigator II
Cummins12V98 wrote:
RCMAN46 wrote:
Balancing the trailer tires may make a difference.


Unlikely, this is a result of bouncing up and down and the latch not engaging the strike plate deep enough.


I can't imagine being in a fw going down the road. Probably like a Cat 7 earthquake.

Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS

They make many decorative door latches, I just googled and found a ton of hits...

I would look into that fix... unfortunately the door opening may be a bit just too wide, or the door just bit too narrow to keep the striker in the plate ..
Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
RCMAN46 wrote:
Balancing the trailer tires may make a difference.


Unlikely, this is a result of bouncing up and down and the latch not engaging the strike plate deep enough.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

JUSTWORK
Explorer
Explorer
Mine has done that a few times so I just leave it all the way open and put something in the floor against the door to keep it open while traveling.

RCMAN46
Explorer
Explorer
Balancing the trailer tires may make a difference.

chris3403
Explorer
Explorer
I most definitely had this problem with my bathroom door. It was bowed inward right where the latch was. As we were going down the road on our inaugural trip the door sprung open and the door handle hit the awning out button perfect! This allowed the awning to start coming out going down the road ripping a hole in a brand new awning.
What did I do about it? I reported it to Forest River and they replaced both the awning and door. I turned in 18 issues with our 5th wheel and Forest River approved 16 of the problems. The other 2 problems could have been caused by me (they weren't). I was very happy with what they fixed or replaced.
I've been to all 50 States but my RV hasn't.

way2roll
Navigator II
Navigator II
Had an epiphany last night. On the bathroom wall outside the bedroom door I could use a coat hook to hang a towel or jacket. I can use that coat hook to bungee the doorknob. Non invasive and solves two problems. I still plan on adjusting/shimming the strike plate but this just might work.

I thought of a magnetic door stop but on another forum someone said the magnet wasn't strong enough to hold the door. The doors are pretty light so it seems like it would hold, but that's what they said.

Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS

2112
Explorer II
Explorer II
I had this problem with my bathroom door. I shimmed out one of the hinges at the wall with business cards
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab Max Tow, 2084# Payload, 11,300# Tow,
Timbrens
2013 KZ Durango 2857

Janss
Explorer II
Explorer II
Regarding my pocket door...It does have a plastic strap with snap. Unfortunately the inner two screws fell out of the top track, so essentially the door is falling off the track, putting more pressure on the strap. I had someone install another strap near the bottom. He did such a crappy job, it may as well not be there.

The screw holes are impossible for me to access. I just wanted to see if anyone suggested a big thick door stop. Maybe I could glue two together, one on top of the other. I know I have to fix/tighten the door straps. But until I get to that.....
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 32V
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara

TXiceman
Explorer II
Explorer II
How about a magnetic door stop?
Door stop.


Ken
Amateur Radio Operator.
2023 Cougar 22MLS, toted with a 2022, F150, 3.5L EcoBoost, Crewcab, Max Tow, FORMER Full Time RVer. Travel with a standard schnauzer and a Timneh African Gray parrot

way2roll
Navigator II
Navigator II
Thanks for the replies. All good ideas. The bathroom door jamb may be close enough to bungee the BR door knob to it but first I'll try adjusting the strike plate or hinge plates although it's not really off the way it is. In reading posts on similar issues on another forum, it seems East West doors have this issue more than North South doors. I would imagine there is more lateral flex than longitudinal. And more of a TT or FW issue than a MH, I assume because of the chassis frame on a towable has more flex. I'd rather not permanently attach anything to the door or frame that I didn't have to, to keep things looking stock. I could make a 2 sided door stop from 1x with some rubber feet easy enough (at least the plans in my head seem easy).

To the poster with the pocket door issue, mine came with a strap and snap as another poster noted. Seems easy enough to install something like that even if you did it with Velcro.

Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS

Allworth
Explorer II
Explorer II
Screen door hook and eye.

Also, I had a pocket door into the bathroom that would not stay open. Put a small cup hook in the wall on each side (one in BR; one in Bath), set horizontal. Hook a big rubber band between them.
Formerly posting as "littleblackdog"
Martha, Allen, & Blackjack
2006 Chevy 3500 D/A LB SRW, RVND 7710
Previously: 2008 Titanium 30E35SA. Currently no trailer due to age & mobility problems. Very sad!
"Real Jeeps have round headlights"

ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Explorer III
I have a Monaco DP with 2 pocket doors, one on each side of the bathroom, with things you push down and lock while moving. I have never had a door move while moving unless I forgot to push them down. Not trying to be a jerk but if you look at the higher end units you find all kinds of little things that make life easier.

jdc1
Explorer II
Explorer II
MFL wrote:
If you have a bit too much distance between the door, and door jam, you may be able to add a shim behind the striker plate. A piece of paint stick, or popsicle stick glued behind, stained to match, might work. Like mentioned, a new knob, with longer sliding latch may be a good fix.

As to the pocket door, that Janss mentioned, mine has a factory installed strap with snap, as I'd think many would have.

Jerry


Ditto to both answers here.

MFL
Nomad II
Nomad II
If you have a bit too much distance between the door, and door jam, you may be able to add a shim behind the striker plate. A piece of paint stick, or popsicle stick glued behind, stained to match, might work. Like mentioned, a new knob, with longer sliding latch may be a good fix.

As to the pocket door, that Janss mentioned, mine has a factory installed strap with snap, as I'd think many would have.

Jerry