Avalanche door

[Sue from WI]

Just took delivery last Thursday on a very windy day. How do I prevent the door from slamming in the wind? Almost lost my fingers. No way to hold door back. 2017 model.

[Craigidyllwild]

There are aftermarket holders you can add to you rig to keep the door fixed open. This is just an example...here are some examples...no endorsements..just info

http://www.easternmarine.com/RV-Camper-Door-Keepers-Latches

[JRTJH]

If you do install an aftermarket "door holder device", make absolutely sure that you think through the installation before you start drilling holes.....

The objective is to have the "weakest link" be the easiest to replace and that does the least amount of damage (if something does break)... That said, it's easy to install something that will hold the door and keep it open, but when someone grabs the door without unfastening the "something" or when the wind blows harder than expected, you don't want that "something" to be stronger than the trailer sidewall or the door. If it breaks loose and rips a hole in the side of the trailer or if it bends or breaks the door before giving way, the end result could be much greater damage than the "intended purpose"....

So, think it through before installation. There's a reason why the RV manufacturers use that "cheap plastic door holder" rather than using a stronger one that won't break. It's not all about them buying the cheapest to make money.....

[PARAPTOR]

John, you last post hit home. I have this passage door which is held open by these toy plastic holders. Seems like the UV/sun likes to take them out, hinges become brittle and crack, with the ball type that ball after sitting in the sun actually pops out of that slot, which still looks impossible :facepalm:, on and on. One time service manager after replacing a couple, said here try this, it was a stainless two piece. One day took it out and was going to put it on disgusted with the plastic ones then brain clicked in Oh what happens if some one pulls on door, Well we know the stainless rod was not going to give. So rather than ripping screws, etc, out of the door or side of rig, bought a couple plastic holders and put one back on. cheaper to buy more plastic holders than a basement door or repair side of rig :banghead: Those basement doors are pretty heavy

[JRTJH]

Bill,

Sometimes even the "experts" at the service manager level fall prey to the "innovation of making a better mousetrap".... I've seen (and repaired) way too many "make it better" types of repairs on travel trailers. The old saying, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link" is also true (in the reverse) when it comes to "convenience items" on trailers. When a "door holder" or a "cabinet lock" or a "fuse in the electrical system" keeps failing and the temptation to "beef up that part" is followed, sometimes it works out OK, but many times, what happens is the "next weakest link" becomes the damaged item. It's not a problem if both parts are relatively inexpensive, but when the next part becomes the door or even the sidewall of the trailer, well then too often, what seemed to be a good idea suddenly turns into a nightmare to repair.

There are places where a steel or stainless steel "door holder" is applicable and places where it works very well, but installed in a fiberglass layered "too thin" aluminum framed door on an ultralight travel trailer, or even screwed into the FILON sidewall (sometimes with no backing plate), it suddenly becomes the "big hammer that does tremendous damage" rather than an improvement......

You were, I think, wise to not install them on your basement doors.

[Pull Toy]

Like JRTJH said...

Till you get it "right"... is there a bungee point you can use?

Old carpenters adage, kind of applies here. "Measure twice, cut once, 'cause even if you cut it again... it's still gonna be too short!"

Good Luck. enjoy the rig!

[Sue from WI]

Thanks for the replies but we will not drill into our new camper. I was more thinking of some type of mount on our deck when hubby builds a deck.......