Magnets for Basement Door

Nankipoo · 10-16-2021, 03:47 PM

My basement door measures 59 x 28 inches. Not long after we had this RV one of the strut brackets pulled out. After getting advise on here I installed larger screws in both sides of the brackets. Held good until last night. One bracket popped off again. Now the holes are really large and wobbled out. They are going to be hard to fix this time without moving them which will just be more holes. Was just wondering if I got 2 sets of good magnets if they will hold up. I've seen some reviews about them not working when it's real cold but if it's that cold I'm staying home, lol.

mikec557 · 10-16-2021, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nankipoo

My basement door measures 59 x 28 inches. Not long after we had this RV one of the strut brackets pulled out. After getting advise on here I installed larger screws in both sides of the brackets. Held good until last night. One bracket popped off again. Now the holes are really large and wobbled out. They are going to be hard to fix this time without moving them which will just be more holes. Was just wondering if I got 2 sets of good magnets if they will hold up. I've seen some reviews about them not working when it's real cold but if it's that cold I'm staying home, lol.

If you mean the magnets that go: 1 on the door and 1 on the body (or 2 & 2 I guess if you've got a big door), I've added them to various doors on the last 3 RVs. I've never had them fail to hold the door up. But I don't camp in freezing weather either. I bought mine on Amazon, and FYI I've seen two different lengths. Something like 1.5 and 2.5 inches long.

**flybouy** · 10-17-2021, 07:32 AM

If you go up to the "UserCP" and create a signature with year, make and model number of your trailer and tow vehichle you will get replies with better context. It will also help reduce playing "40 questions " to get this information. As an example: are you the original owner? If not, perhaps the previous owner replaced the struts with ones that are too strong.

You could get some aluminum plates and thru bolt them from the outside to make a sandwich mount that will distribute the load. That's a large, heavy door to not only lift up vertically but also to hold up.

Canonman · 10-17-2021, 07:44 AM

I would suggest magnets as the solution. The struts operate with resistance both when opening as well as closing, especially if the strut is only on one side of the door.
Both our large cargo doors are held open with one magnet in the center that is approximately 1" long. Pretty simple and no stress on the door when opening and closing.

mikec557 · 10-17-2021, 08:12 AM

I'd agree. Any of the struts exert a ton of pressure. If you doubt that, try closing one by hand, and holding it closed. Those suckered are strong.

LHaven · 10-17-2021, 09:20 AM

Any way to cheat the door surround off and sneak some kind of thick backer in back of that plate to make a "plate sandwich?" Clearly the thin plate is not up to the stress.

Nankipoo · 10-17-2021, 02:27 PM

I've done that. It used to show all my info. Even a pic of tow pig and RV. Don't know why it's not there now.

Nankipoo · 10-17-2021, 02:31 PM

I'm going to give e-trailer a call tomorrow. They show some magnets that I think might work. I just hate drilling holes in the side of the RV. It's only 4 as I will install 2 sets of magnets. Loaded up this morning to come home trying to hold that darn thing up with my head. I got a hard head but not that hard lol.

mikec557 · 10-17-2021, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nankipoo

I'm going to give e-trailer a call tomorrow. They show some magnets that I think might work. I just hate drilling holes in the side of the RV. It's only 4 as I will install 2 sets of magnets. Loaded up this morning to come home trying to hold that darn thing up with my head. I got a hard head but not that hard lol.

I learned this my accident, so I'm passing it on. The pcs you buy will not be identical. And no, flipping them end for end will not change their polarity. When you separate the pcs of the two pair you will buy, keep track of the pairs. Don't forget to buy some butyl tape. 3/4 inch wide is more than enough.

Canonman · 10-17-2021, 02:46 PM

When you talk to E-Trailer ask them if they think you could get by with one magnet per door. Once the door is open and upright, it doesn't take much to hold it there.
You probably already know to fill any holes you drill with sealer as well put sealer on the back of the magnet so when you screw it on the sealant gooshes out the edges.

**flybouy** · 10-17-2021, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nankipoo

I'm going to give e-trailer a call tomorrow. They show some magnets that I think might work. I just hate drilling holes in the side of the RV. It's only 4 as I will install 2 sets of magnets. Loaded up this morning to come home trying to hold that darn thing up with my head. I got a hard head but not that hard lol.

Your sig is showing up now. I keep an 8' boat hook in the bed of my truck. I have an 8' bed with a cap and use it to retrieve items withou jumping up and crawling in. Last year the hig heavy door on the outside kitchen wouldn’t stay open because one of the struts failed. The boathook served a dual purpose by holding the hatch up until I got a new pair of struts.

Nankipoo · 10-17-2021, 06:53 PM

Thanks for the replies. I do plan on sealing it the best I can. Sure don't want a leak in the side walls of the RV. I will post a pic or two when I get done with it.

Nankipoo · 10-20-2021, 04:56 PM

Update 1. Called e-trailer Monday morning. Decided 2 magnets were needed. Ordered 2 sets and some butyl tape. Have ordered many times from them over the last 4 or 5 years with no problem. They were in stock and they were going to get them shipped out that day so I would have them by Thursday or Friday. Missouri to Tn. UPS. Was supposed to get an email confirmation with tracking number Monday. Hadn't got one by noon today so I called them. They were never in stock and are not now. Will not have them by camping trip this weekend. Never ever had this problem with them before. Maybe it was just a fluke. Cut me a 2x2 long enough to prop it open this weekend. Sometimes you just have to improvise.

Mikelff · 10-24-2021, 07:44 AM

You can fill the holes in your door with a product called Marine Tex. It’s an epoxy type 2 part putty. It will set very hard but is sand-able, paintable, can be polished and is waterproof and can be drilled for screws. Great stuff. Comes in white and an off white that will be close to the color of your door. You can buy a small jar of it so you don’t have to buy a lot. Most Boat supply stores, Bass Pro, and Amazon have it. I have used it for years to fill screw holes and scratches in the bottom of boats. You could re attach the plate and strut with the original screw size if you needed to until you can get the magnets installed. I doubt that plate would pull out of this stuff. Check it out.

tomd · 10-24-2021, 07:51 AM

I’m replying because I had same issue. My door had two struts, and was difficult to close. I noticed screws and brackets and hinges stressing every time I closed door. I removed one strut, problem solved. You may want a weaker strut as others suggested.

I installed a magnet on my forward storage door the hangs under fifth wheel overhang when open. But difficult to get magnets lined up to hold well. Mostly works.

If you drill new holes in bracket, or make larger for new screws maybe can fix your door. Or move to other side, one strut should be good enough.

maineman · 10-24-2021, 10:46 AM

Also had two struts, worked good for a while, then on rt. side facing the screws pulled out. The one strut will open and hold the door, however, when closed it holds the left up and the rt. side sags down causing the door not to close

geok171 · 10-24-2021, 12:02 PM

When I have screws strip out I drill out the hole and glue in a hardwood dowel then tap in the screw, never had one strip out after using this method.

sauerld · 10-24-2021, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nankipoo

My basement door measures 59 x 28 inches. Not long after we had this RV one of the strut brackets pulled out. After getting advise on here I installed larger screws in both sides of the brackets. Held good until last night. One bracket popped off again. Now the holes are really large and wobbled out. They are going to be hard to fix this time without moving them which will just be more holes. Was just wondering if I got 2 sets of good magnets if they will hold up. I've seen some reviews about them not working when it's real cold but if it's that cold I'm staying home, lol.

I did not read all the responses, but I had the same thing happen to me. I got bigger screws but I added an extra step of epoxy before I screwed the bigger screws back in. That was in 2017 and they are still as tight as the day I did it. I did the other ones too before they even went bad. Just to clarify, I used the epoxy on the hinge unit between the hinge and the door. Oh and I did replace the struct with a new one. Good luck!

flyingjack · 10-25-2021, 08:21 AM

geok171 +1; exact same thing. Filled holes with wooden toothpicks and epoxy. Put original screws back in and still working after 5+ yrs in our 2013 Mountaineer basement door.

Nankipoo · 10-25-2021, 06:43 PM

Magnets should be here tomorrow. Has to order from Amazon because e-trailer couldn't get them in stock. I'm going to give them a good look and make sure that's what I want to do before I start making more holes. The one strut that is still on mine won't hold it up by itself. I have always thought since we bought the 5'er that there was a lot of pressure on that door when closing with the two struts. They come up at an angle and one side of the bracket starts pulling out before the other side. No idea if they are the original struts.

You may also like: