Someone tried to break in...

zsulli · 01-11-2021, 10:47 AM

And now we need a new door. Thankfully the locks held, but the door is bent at the top and bottom. I'm going to check with an RV dealer, but I also wanted to get some input on what it's going to take to fix this, just a new door, or is the entire door unit one piece? Curious if this is something I might be able to do, or if my best bet is having an RV service shop take care of it. 2017 Keystone Springdale.

**chuckster57** · 01-11-2021, 11:52 AM

RV doors are usually riveted to the frame at the hinges. IMO they aren’t that hard to change, I give it a 6 on the 1-10 scale. There should be a sticker on the door (hinge side) with all the numbers you need. If there are any decals you’ll need to order those also.

You could have your insurance pay to have it done, but it may affect your rates.

Sarge2 · 01-11-2021, 12:27 PM

Usually the insurance company will need a police report... Was curious if you made one..

**flybouy** · 01-11-2021, 01:16 PM

Must be a newbie thief. When mine was broken into they broke the hinges on the kitchen window and reached in and unlocked the door. They used the same method on the other 50+ units that they broke into at 2 neby dealers and 3 other storage lots.

Ken / Claudia · 01-12-2021, 08:20 AM

Look at the door frame also , it could be bent up during the prying. Sad part is sometimes the crooks cause more costly damage to get into something than what is the value of what they wanted to steal.

zsulli · 01-12-2021, 09:14 AM

I did file a police report and just got a quote from an RV service shop. Parts and labor to replace the entry door are over $1000. At this point I'd have been better off it they'd have done more damage and I could file it all with insurance and pay my $1000 deductible. Probably won't file a claim and have to deal with all of that.

**JRTJH** · 01-12-2021, 10:39 AM

If you're going to do the work yourself and there is no physical damage to the door or the frame, just the bend, you might consider drilling out the rivets, lay the door (bend up) on a 2x4, apply slow, even pressure on both ends of the door and bend it back into shape. Use a metal "straight edge" to monitor the process and to check that the door is "flush and straight" when finished. Then use new "pop rivets" to reinstall the door in the frame. The biggest issue will be aligning the door properly in the frame to reinstall it, so use a specific drill bit to drill the old rivets out and then use the correct size rivet for that drill bit on reinstallation. That will make the alignment a bit easier, but there's still room for misalignment, so pay attention to what you're doing on the disassembly so you can put the door back in the same position on reassembly.

Laredo Tugger · 01-12-2021, 11:22 AM

John,
Before trying to straighten the door with force, should or can the window be removed and replaced without major heartburn?
RMc

Sarge2 · 01-12-2021, 12:16 PM

I'm not really a body man but I only see one kink in the door and that is near the lock / handle... the rest looks ok at the hinge side... the window also looks as thought it may not need to be removed...
JRTJH is a knowledgeable tech and I think he's seeing the same thing... might be worth a try before if you are planning on replacing the door.. might be able to get it tweaked back into shape without too much problem.. worst that can happen is it won't move back to the proper shape and you replace it anyway... JMHO

Ken / Claudia · 01-12-2021, 12:34 PM

Windows are replaced in a couple mins, screws on inside of window frame need unscrewed, the whole glass and both inner/outer trim come off. If door is vertical be careful not to drop the glass. Helps to have someone hold it. I have done 4 by myself.

Laredo Tugger · 01-12-2021, 12:40 PM

The available "flex" in the door material (aluminum) should not be a problem to reshape but that glass in the window isn't going to take much "bending" before it breaks.
At least that's what I see when there is suggested bending of an aluminum door with a glass panel installed.
Maybe not? Let's start a betting pool. I say it breaks, any takers?

RMc

Sarge2 · 01-12-2021, 12:55 PM

If it was mine? Yeah I'd pull the window and door lock... but I'm not the OP and don't know his skill levels.. Maybe door replacement is a better option for him..

In any event, I'd rather not wager on someone else's possible bad luck..

**JRTJH** · 01-12-2021, 02:26 PM

IMO, if you lay the door over a 2x4, apply pressure at the top and bottom of the door, you "MIGHT" stand a chance of breaking the glass. If you lay the door over a 4x4 and apply pressure at the top and bottom of the door, you "WILL" probably break the glass. It's a matter of using a "comb to fix your hair vs a rake to fix your hair"....

On the other hand, if you lay the door on a 2x4 and push on the extreme top/bottom of the door with or without the window in place, you likely will bend the "weakest part of the door" (the area where you removed the window and left only 2 thin edges), so it's more a matter of "sizing up the area that needs to be bent, applying pressure along that area and gently forming it back into shape....

I agree, if you leave the window in place, put the door on a 2x4, have your DW stand on the bottom and you "jump on the top" then hell yes, you're going to break the window.....

On the other hand, putting the door on that same 2x4, (window or not), putting your knees 18-24" below the lockset on both edges, and leaning over the door, use your hands on both edges to apply your upper body weight to the frame, increasing the weight as the aluminum yields and straightens.....

Well, hopefully you get the idea, it's not a "drive on it with a tractor and make the damn thing bend" rather it's a "think about what you're doing and reform the door with the appropriate amount of weight to "caress" it back into shape.....

So, to that end, it's probably of no consequence whether the door is in the window or removed. Now, if, after trying to bend it and feeling that more weight/stress will be needed, I'd probably remove the window rather than risk breaking it. It depends on what needs to be done once the project is being done.

Snoking · 01-12-2021, 05:49 PM

Just we but, I would duck take a short 2x4 block at the striker plate area and get a friend on a ladder to push on the top corner of the door while you push on the lower corner. You might be surprised how easy it straightens back out.

Laredo Tugger · 01-13-2021, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge2

If it was mine? Yeah I'd pull the window and door lock... but I'm not the OP and don't know his skill levels.. Maybe door replacement is a better option for him..

In any event, I'd rather not wager on someone else's possible bad luck..

Sarge2,
I wish no misfortune on anyone. I just feel (as Ken does) that if the window is easily removed, error on the side of caution and remove it. Torqueing on a large part with glass in it cant turn out well for the glass.
RMc

Sarge2 · 01-13-2021, 12:05 PM

Sorry Tugger if you took that as a criticism... Not intended at all... guess I'll have to include some emoji's of laughing or something that indicates I'm joking..

I've never been a betting man... my wife actually leaves me at home if she goes to the Casino as she knows I'm bored out of my mind...lol..

Laredo Tugger · 01-13-2021, 04:25 PM

No sweat Sarge. I was joking also and used the emoji as well.
Sometimes it's hard to put "intent" into words on these threads.
I'm not much for the casinos either. I got better things too do with my money.
All good.
RMc

Ken / Claudia · 01-13-2021, 05:55 PM

Well, I do have a hummer in the driveway. I could drive over it and see if it stands that test. Like the flashlights ?

jasin1 · 01-14-2021, 03:56 AM

Might be worth buying one on eBay if you can find the size you need. I don’t know what state you live in but you could plan a trip to save on shipping. I wonder if the rv manufacturers have scratch and dent doors, appliances etc in Goshen Indiana. They have to be doing something with damaged parts that they can’t use.

Rick Hazelton · 01-14-2021, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoking

Just we but, I would duck take a short 2x4 block at the striker plate area and get a friend on a ladder to push on the top corner of the door while you push on the lower corner. You might be surprised how easy it straightens back out.

This is where I would start. I have fixed a many of bus doors with this technique.

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