Montana - entry door strut bracket tear-out

[wdt]

The bracket holding the gas strut to the entry door of our 2013 Montana tore out of the door. This was a result of normal closing of the door - no violent wind gusts were involved. On examination (pictures attached) I found the bracket was 'pop riveted' through aluminum framing of perhaps 1/16" thickness over the 2" width of the bracket. The strut was a 20 lbs rated unit - far too heavy a pull for the aluminum it was fastened to. I hope other Montana owners pay attention to this bracket mount. A 10 lbs strut would do the same job, and perhaps avoid the repair I am now facing.

[WaltBennett]

Have you posted this on the Montana Owner's Club? http://montanaadministrator.forumco.com/ Someone probably has experienced it before and may have come up with a fix (if you're out of warranty).

[wdt]

Yes, thanks - I did post to the Montana owners forum. As to the 'fix' - the dealer had direction from Keystone to just 'fix it'. A replacement door was of no use - the bracket would have torn out in time as well due to the 1/16 aluminum door framing it mounted to. So - I fixed it myself, and the dealer reimbursed me for the cost and time (it was within warranty).
An 8 inch long, 1/4 inch thick by 3/4 high piece of aluminum bar stock, with the bracket back sanded free of paint, then bonded and clamped as a backing plate to the bracket using JB Weld. The bracket holes were the template for drilling the backing plate, and a corresponding plate for the inside of the door. Through bolted with 2 1/2 inch 10/24 stainless pan head machine screws cut to length for stainless acorn nuts on the inside of the door. The bracket and two plates then spray painted to match the door, and a 10 lb gas strut to replace the 20 lb strut. Works great, looks fine, and the door operates exactly as it should. There was a half inch clearance between the inside of the door and the screen door - the acorn nuts are 3/8 inch high, so no problems of them hitting the screen door frame.