Better Door Latch

[old racer]

We have a 325 SRX. Wondering if anyone knows of a better latch available to hold the main door open when using the screen door. (90 degree angled plastic)We have had two of these and they wont hold up. Thanks in advance

[KanTC]

Old racer,

They make an entry door latch in stainless... that might work ;)

Example: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/self-closing-entry-door-holders-stainless-steel-t-6-inch/49599

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot :)

[JRTJH]

Old Racer,

Something you may want to consider before you start putting a stronger door latch on your RV..... the weakest link is what breaks under stress. Right now, the weakest link is the plastic door latch. If you replace it with a stainless latch, the weakest link may well become the RV sidewall or the door. Either way, when someone pulls too hard you'll be repairing much more damage than a plastic latch.

I'd think seriously about the overall mechanism and how it operates before I started "solving problems by making bigger ones"

[dave-g]

The plastic latch really sucks- I have the same problem. In the slightest breeze the door unhooks.

I have also thought of a heaver latch- but because the door does not go flat, but is on a 45 degree angle, the wind really catches it. Also because the door is at a 45 degree angle everyone tries to close the door-

[ctpd814]

My current unit has a gas piston that holds the door open. My old unit used this style door holder.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/entry-door-holder-plastic-clip-3-inch-white/49613

They have different lengths and some with metal. With this style if someone pulls on the door, it just unhooks instead of breaking.

[LittleJoe]

I looked at retrofitting to the gas piston and it would work however you would have to cut approx 1/2-3/4" off the bottom of the insided screen door to make it workable.
I may do this and make a sweep to take up the missing length to keep bugs out and still allow room for the rod to travel.

My DIL just broke our latch which is why I was looking. There OpenRange uses the gas piston on a 90deg door opening.

[JRTJH]

The new Cougar X Lite fifth wheel models with the entry door next to the awning are also using the 90* gas piston to hold the door open. Our new Cougar has this on it. When looking at the display models, it seemed to function pretty well, but I don't have any experience with how reliable the system would be. I am sure the mounts for the piston will get a lot of stress as people try to open the door past 90*. How much stress the door sill and the bottom of the door will take before they start bending or before the attachment hardware will loosen remains to be seen.

Ideally, I'd think the best way to operate the door would be to have designed the trailer so the awning rail wouldn't limit the door swing. But, I also thought the old way was better when they started putting electric awnings on RV's and when they started putting separate holding tanks under them as well..... Once the "bugs" get worked out of the system, I'm sure it will be as reliable as the full swing door with it's latch screwed to the side of the RV.

[ctpd814]

Little Joe,
That is the way mine is designed. It has a sweep on the bottom of the screen door.

JRTJH,

The 90* design is on my Fuzion also. My outside TV mounts behind the door. So far I have not had any problems with mine.

[JRTJH]

Little Joe,
That is the way mine is designed. It has a sweep on the bottom of the screen door.

JRTJH,

The 90* design is on my Fuzion also. My outside TV mounts behind the door. So far I have not had any problems with mine.

ctpd814,

That's good to know. My DW looks at colors, counter space, storage space, and where to store the bread so we can get to it with the slide in. I look more at reliability, new features and how they may fail, what tools I'll need to add to my toolbox, what's going to break next.... Here's hoping the new door system is a "better mousetrap" :)

[old racer]

Thanks for all of your replies.