Retrofitting new latches
- Thread starter Peteandsharon
- Start date
TXBobcat
Fulltime
Well I guess I will keep my doors with the matching keys. If I change keys and someone really wants my lego blocks, polish, flag, jack, cranks, hoses, battery, generator, I guess they will get it and not tear up my trailer.
Yep it is suppose to keep the honest people honest but I guess we will let the Lord keep track of their discretions.
BC
Yep it is suppose to keep the honest people honest but I guess we will let the Lord keep track of their discretions.
BC
hillsonwheels
Well-known member
Hey Niles........
Do you think an 800 lb. gorilla would've prevented the door kick in?
Sure was great running around with you and Deb. Be safe!
Dick & Reta
Do you think an 800 lb. gorilla would've prevented the door kick in?
Sure was great running around with you and Deb. Be safe!Dick & Reta
skyguy
Well-known member
Which door? What is the problem?? I'll take a closer look at mine this PM.
Al S.
kakampers
Past Heartland Ambassador
It is the DS cargo door which lifts upwards on pistons...some earlier units has a door that swings outward, which is not affected.
The problem is the top door edge rubs against the frame of the door because the door itself is coming apart near the hinges. I have run into quite a few owners who have had the exact same problem, and have seen it on new units sitting in dealer lots....at least half dozen or more, so far!
Kind of glad our plans changed and we didn't have them installed...Mor Ryde needs to go back to the drawing board and get this right before I'll invest in having them installed...JMHO!
The problem is the top door edge rubs against the frame of the door because the door itself is coming apart near the hinges. I have run into quite a few owners who have had the exact same problem, and have seen it on new units sitting in dealer lots....at least half dozen or more, so far!
Kind of glad our plans changed and we didn't have them installed...Mor Ryde needs to go back to the drawing board and get this right before I'll invest in having them installed...JMHO!
On Monday, Terry and Carol H and I went over to Mor/ryde to check them out - having never been there before. We also wanted to see if any Heartlanders were there.
We saw Tom W's coach getting a replacement RE system on it and Ray L's coach getting IS put on it.
We also asked to speak to whomever about the slam latch doors they are supplying to Heartland. The night prior, we have given a critical review of the doors on 2 of the show coaches at the rally.
We met with a couple of engineers and they took a genuine interest. The biggest thing we learned was that they have moved from a lamination process of building up the door layers to a welded process and with that, they feel the problems are behind them now.
I think what was happening is that outer skin of the door was delaminating from the other half of the inner door, near the center and it was bowing outward. That bowed location is what was rubbing on the top edge frame when the door was opened all the way up.
Jon H got slam latch doors installed as a retro-fit to his BH later on Monday. He seems pleased so far. He did say that Heartland's current wall design accommodates the slam latch doors whereas in a retro-fit, the doors have to be manufactured a little different to accommodate the older wall style. I think they had to remake his 3 times on-site that day but finally got it right. Don't think they made any money on Jon but I know they took a lot of measurements and pictures and they learned a lot for next time.
Jim
We saw Tom W's coach getting a replacement RE system on it and Ray L's coach getting IS put on it.
We also asked to speak to whomever about the slam latch doors they are supplying to Heartland. The night prior, we have given a critical review of the doors on 2 of the show coaches at the rally.
We met with a couple of engineers and they took a genuine interest. The biggest thing we learned was that they have moved from a lamination process of building up the door layers to a welded process and with that, they feel the problems are behind them now.
I think what was happening is that outer skin of the door was delaminating from the other half of the inner door, near the center and it was bowing outward. That bowed location is what was rubbing on the top edge frame when the door was opened all the way up.
Jon H got slam latch doors installed as a retro-fit to his BH later on Monday. He seems pleased so far. He did say that Heartland's current wall design accommodates the slam latch doors whereas in a retro-fit, the doors have to be manufactured a little different to accommodate the older wall style. I think they had to remake his 3 times on-site that day but finally got it right. Don't think they made any money on Jon but I know they took a lot of measurements and pictures and they learned a lot for next time.
Jim
Hi Tab,
Actually, I have seen latches that are somewhat similar, retrofitted to standard baggage doors.
When RV America builds the Americana brand 5th wheels, using some other OEM supplied 5th wheel shell, they cut a chunk out of the OEM baggage door and install the latch style handle/lockset.
Looks odd on the inside but very nice on the outside. Not sure how stable they are but I suppose they are as strong as any standard baggage door lock. Nothing a small pry-bar won't open
If anyone is interested in the latch style latch/locks and want to know more about the cost of retrofitting that piece only, contact:
Ron Green
574-264-9621
rv_america_inc@yahoo.com
3933 Lexington Park Drive
Elkhart IN 46514
If I recall correctly, they cut out both turn latches and install 2 new latches per door and the cost was in the $100-$125 per door range.
Jim
On edit: I dug up a couple of pictures (attached). Sorry that i don't have a better shot of the door closed.
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