Cargo Door Problems

[JohnDar]

I've noticed the bottoms of my cargo doors swelling. On the DS door, it shows on the outer skin, along the bottom. On the ODS door, it's visible on both sides, with some splitting of the inner panel visible. Not sure how water got in there or what's soaking it up, but it looks like replacement might be in order.

It is possible that some moisture got in there when it was warmer since there doesn't appear to be any kind of caulk or seal on the outer face, but the extended bitter cold we had this past winter may have caused it to freeze and expand. The swelling isn't enough to interfere with locking the doors, but it's a cosmetic issue.

The doors were made by Elixir Industries, but it looks like Heartland doesn't use them anymore. Not sure if they can be repaired, rather than replaced, but I've got an idea to try when things dry out and it warms up. If it doesn't work, I'll look for new doors.

And no, I'm not standing on the roof, stomping and fuming, calling HL names. Stuff happens and this rig is over 6 years old.

Maybe I'll call HL on Monday and see if they've got a lead on where I might find replacements, if I go that route. Might even get lucky and get it done next year at Goshen 2015.

 

[TravelTiger]

John, I notice some slight uneveness on ours, but very minor. Keep us informed. Post pics if you can.


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[JohnDar]

Will do. Should be a bit drier tomorrow, so I'll take some pics.

 

[JohnDar]

Here's some photos of the door damage. Seems three of the four doors on my rig are showing swelling at the bottoms. Only one that doesn't is the propane cabinet door. And I think I know why. The three with swelling have gaskets that go completely around the opening, thus trapping any water runoff at the bottom. The propane cabinet has a gap at the bottom of the gasket flange, so any runoff drains off. Compound the trapped water with several holes in the bottom of the door frames and you get wicking of moisture into the door panel due to temperature fluxuations and rain/snow melt. Why those holes are there is anybody's guess, but if ever there was a design question, this is one. And what is the inner panel of the door made of? Open cell foam, closed cell, sponge material?? The photos show the extent of the damage, as well as some of the frame holes. Actually, it looks worse in person than the photos show.

 

[JohnDar]

I called HL this morning, but it seems the numbers on the Elixir Industries tags aren't the part numbers in the "system." Could be because they don't use Elixir anymore. So they took the dimensions from me and promised to get back with me. If I do end up replacing the doors, or even finding a way to repair them somewhat, one thing I'll be doing is drilling some relief holes in the frame around the door opening to allow accumulated water to drain out before it gets sucked into the door panel again. And filling those holes in the doors with silicone.

 

[Ray LeTourneau]

John, I think the holes in the door are for drainage but logic makes me wonder how water would get in anyway. Filling them may not be a bad idea but drilling hole in the frame for relief may allow drainage into an area you don't want water.

 

[JohnDar]

John, I think the holes in the door are for drainage but logic makes me wonder how water would get in anyway. Filling them may not be a bad idea but drilling hole in the frame for relief may allow drainage into an area you don't want water.

Water into the door panel by capillary action, since the bottom sits in a puddle after a rain (or snow melt). At times, I've forgotten about the puddle when reaching into the compartment and end up looking like I had a bladder accident. I don't think there is anything under those frames, but I'll check before making any modifications.

 

[JohnDar]

Jackie at Heartland CS called me back today with new part numbers and costs for the three doors. With the club discount, it would be about $625 for the three, not including shipping. I could drive down there and get them to save the shipping, but it would still cost me at least another $60 in fuel (with the 4-banger Equinox, not the truck). Think what I'll do is fix them best I can for this season and order them ahead of time for the 2015 Goshen Rally and pick them up at the factory, or have the repair crew bring them out and install them, if they will.

 

[TravelTiger]

Thanks for the follow up!


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