Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Kenneth Fears Straightens a Coach Entry Door - Door Weatherstripping Recs (Read 729 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Kenneth Fears Straightens a Coach Entry Door - Door Weatherstripping Recs
Last November, there were some discussions about bent/twisted entry doors.  Ken Fears put together a wonderful explanation of how to fix the problem and it was posted in the Lazy Daze Companion.  Today, I happened to be camping in the same campground as Ken.  This amazing guy was willing to help fix my bent entry door.  Which was really more bowed than bent.  The "bow" was just above and below the latch.  My wife took some pictures of the process - see below.

Glenn & Joan Lambert
Redford, MI
2017 27' Mid-Bath
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!!
Reply #1 –
I seem to recall a boat building rule:  If you can fit in another clamp, and you haven't run out of clamps, you need more clamps.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!!
Reply #2 –
In my young apprentice carpenter days I was told all ya need is Elmer's Wood Glue, clamps and a big hammer.   That will built/fix anything.   
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!!
Reply #3 –
That was nice of Ken to help out!

So is this a known problem with LD entry doors?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!!
Reply #4 –
Even with all those clamps, it took Glenn's hands, not mine, to straighten the bow.  A few screw clamps would have made it easier, but I don't have any of them.  So, the more clamps you use, the less each clamp needs to do.  Plus, multiple clamps spread out the load, avoiding creating a sharp bend at a single point.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!!
Reply #5 –
Isn't Ken a genius, on so many levels? Ken had a look at my entry door and I was relieved to find out that it had only a minor problem, which he fixed quite quickly. Didn't require any clamps.  :D
--
Jan Forseth
2007 27' Midbath named Footloose
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!!
Reply #6 –
Thank you(!) for posting pictures of the process. In all the times this “fix” has been discussed, my spatially challenged brain has never been able to visualize it. Kudos! — Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!!
Reply #7 –
"So is this a known problem with LD entry doors?"


Only if you allow the door to be slammed open or closed when the wind comes up!   ::)   :o
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!!
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"So is this a known problem with LD entry doors?"


Only if you allow the door to be slammed open or closed when the wind comes up!  ::)  :o

During the 15 years I had my 2002 MB, I never had this bent door issue.  And I know it had been slammed open and closed during wind gusts.  When I purchased my 2017 MB, the metal door catch had been moved from the middle of the door toward the top of the door.  I noticed the gap in my door after a few months of use.  There had been no slamming or closing of the door.  I think it was caused by me not keeping the two metal catches well lubricated.  So, whenever I would close the door, the catch would stick and sort of pull (bend/twist) the door out of shape. 
   
Glenn & Joan Lambert
Redford, MI
2017 27' Mid-Bath
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!!
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Glenn Lambert  - 
Last November, there were some discussions about bent/twisted entry doors.  Ken Fears put together a wonderful explanation of how to fix the problem and it was posted in the Lazy Daze Companion.  Today, I happened to be camping in the same campground as Ken.  This amazing guy was willing to help fix my bent entry door.  Which was really more bowed than bent.  The "bow" was just above and below the latch.  My wife took some pictures of the process - see below.

 
Please note that Don Malpas has added these very helpful photos to the article in The Lazy Daze Companion on straightening a coach door. Thanks, Don and thanks, Ken and Glenn for this tutorial.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #10 –
How long did you have to keep it clamped before it stayed straightened out?  Thanks!
2004 31' Twin Bed
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #11 –
phylana, the door has a metal frame.  We were bending the metal.  So, it took seconds.  The reason we used clamps was not to hold it in place for a period of time.  It was to give us good control over how much we were bending the door.  We actually did it twice.  The gap at the top was about 1/4" initially.  We bent the door half an inch the other way initially and released the clamps.  His gap was then about an eighth of an inch.  So, we put the clamps on a second time and took up 3/4 of an inch, then tried it.  The seal was good at that point, but the door still was off a tiny bit. 

So, the issue of clamping is for control, not for duration of bending.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #12 –
And the door is still good after our wandering from New Mexico back to Michigan.
Glenn & Joan Lambert
Redford, MI
2017 27' Mid-Bath
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #13 –
I was shown the single person, 2X4 fix for a bent door by Art Berggreen
Art (older fossil) placed a 2X4 at the point where the bend was obvious and then simultaneously pushed the top and bottom of the door. After a few good shoves, we checked and it was almost done, a few more shoves and the door was perfect.
It helps if you are a big person with long arms.
I have straightened a few bent doors since, it works once you figure it out.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #14 –
I’m still wondering how common of a problem this is and what is the cause? Is this a factory design problem?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #15 –
"Is this a factory design problem?"

Not in my estimation! The only factor leading to a bowed door is allowing the wind to slam the door against the stop. If the stop is located midway top to bottom it causes a bow radiating out from that mid point. For those with the stops mounted high or low, the bow will be located accordingly. The 1st time it happens you'll think you've been shot... it really gets your attention.   :o

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #16 –
"I'm still wondering how common of a problem this is and what is the cause? Is this a factory design problem?"
---
IMO, the occasional 'warping' of the entry door is due in large part to the fact that it's a long, narrow, rectangular shape, roughly 70% longer (78") than wide (23"). Added to this 'tweak prone' shape is the tendency of the door to slam closed if caught by a gust of wind; the puny 'door keep' is not strong enough by itself to hold the door in an open position. (Some owners fabricate a stronger door keep, and some tie the door to the mirror arm with a bungee or rope to prevent it from slamming.) Slamming the door against its frame even a few times contributes to twisting, as does hanging on to the door, usually for support when entering or exiting the rig.

So, no, I don't think that a tweaked entry door is a 'factory design problem'; my rig is almost 16 years old, and its entry door is straight and seats properly. 

As always, YMMV.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #17 –
Hi Greg. As Steve and Joan mentioned it is mostly a wind problem. In my case, a TK, the metal stop that holds the door open is about half way up the door., on the motorhome cabover part. The plastic catch is just below the window, on the door. We were at the Grand Canyon with 75 mph wind gusts. Wife opened door, wind pulled it out of her hand, and the stop stopped the door in the middle, but the top and bottom ends continued and were now bowed out. I carry a few pieces of 2x4, and one in the center allowed me to bend the door back into shape. I couldn't put more plastic catches on the door, the two more metal stops would be in mid-air. So now we open the door gently, and are especially careful in high wind situations. I'm glad my wife didn't hold onto the door too well, it would have pulled her out onto the pavement. I have a bent wire contraption to hold the door opened, to keep it from blowing closed.
    Different floor plans have that stop in different places, so those doors would get bent differently.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #18 –
Thank you, Steve, Joan, and Ron for the explanation. I don’t think my TK had this issue but then again, I was a novice and probably wouldn’t have noticed it anyway!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #19 –
[Is this a factory design problem?]
For two summers I worked at at a travel trailer rental business in the Easter Sierras.  I remember the owner bending a few of those trailer doors back into shape so I don't think it is just a Lazy Daze issue.  Up there the wind can really howl. 

JohnF
2003 T/K and 1987 MP w/Roof Sleeper(for sale)
2003 TK
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #20 –
Many doors are bent and the owners do not realize it, the most common complaint is not that the door is leaking, it's the whistling noises the door makes,  when driving.
If the door is close to the cab, a leaking door seal canoe very obvious, but if the door is at the rear of the coach, you may never notice any noises.

To test for a tight door seal, place a fresh dollar bill in between the door and frame and then shut the door, Try moving the bill sideways, pulling along the seal. The bill should be a snug fit all the way around the door.
If there are places where the bill slides with little or no resistance, you have found a leak. The smallest leaks can make big noises at 60-MPH, not to mention leaking cold or hot air into the interior.
This is the same test can be used to check the condition of the refrigerator and freezer door seals.

Besides the door possibly being bent, the weatherstripping may be bad and has lost its compressibility.
Here is new weatherstripping Joan found, it's a good fit and replacement .
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-3-4-in-x-5-16-in-x-10-ft-Black-Rubber-Foam-Weatherseal-Tape-R534H/202262324
Hints on how to do it.
Entry (screen) door weather stripping

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Kenneth Fears Fixed My Bowed Entry Door!!! (Straightening a Coach Entry Door)
Reply #21 –
Per the link Larry provided, be sure to get the specific Frost King stripping: R534H 

There are several Frost King stripping products, and your local Home Depot may not have this particular one on the shelf; if not, you can order it online for store pick-up.
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Kenneth Fears Straightens a Coach Entry Door - Door Weatherstripping Recs
Reply #22 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
Please note that Don Malpas has added these very helpful photos to the article in The Lazy Daze Companion on straightening a coach door. Thanks, Don and thanks, Ken and Glenn for this tutorial.

Chris

I know this is an old post, but what is The Lazy Daze Companion?

Also, I missed where the weather stripping was discussed. My door needs this terribly.

Thanks!
Phylana
2004 31' Twin Bed
Re: Kenneth Fears Straightens a Coach Entry Door - Door Weatherstripping Recs
Reply #23 –
Quote from: NomadRVr  - 
I know this is an old post, but what is The Lazy Daze Companion?

Also, I missed where the weather stripping was discussed. My door needs this terribly.

Thanks!
Phylana

Look on the home page under "Helpful Links" and click on The Lazy Daze Companion".

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Kenneth Fears Straightens a Coach Entry Door - Door Weatherstripping Recs
Reply #24 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
Look on the home page under "Helpful Links" and click on The Lazy Daze Companion". And weather striping is discussed in reply #20 in this thread or you can search for it.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB