Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Escape hatch disaster but no rain til Tuesday

February 15, 2015, 09:03:27 am

Yahoo Message Number: 151096

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The 40 mph sustained gusts that hit us along with a cold front in the teens ripped our escape hatch lid off our poor 23.5 96 KalleAnka. It wasn't fun listening to it happen as it took several hours in the black of night to finish the job. We have managed to put a heavy duty plastic wrap over the hatc  with high tension bungee cords and packed the inside with insulated foil and Velcro.

Of course the local repair folks are closed on a Sunday. Our big concern is whether or not the escape hatch itself is a universal size or exclusive to LazyDaze and a 96 one at that. Art feels sure that we will have to replace the entire assembly.  We can order one from anyone except the mothership and have a 24 hr express.  But I doubt it will get to us in time to save us from the rain on Tuesday.

Does anyone have suggestions for a more secure repair?  The winds are gusting 20 - 30 today and will die down late Monday to 10 - 12 mph.

You know in Vermont we have occasional breezes.  This wind is new to us!   Hooray for the Myrtle Beach area. Thank you all for any suggestions.  We are currently doing our best to find the specs in the LD Handbook.

Sandy

Re: Escape hatch disaster but no rain til Tuesday

Reply #2 – February 15, 2015, 09:35:57 am

Yahoo Message Number: 151099

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I retrieved the hatch, it had cracked and ripped off the frame. Duhhhh!! I was so stressed I never thought of duct tape - the universal panacea! Boy do I ever feel stupid. Thanks for your prompt response. I will need to get it replaced, however, is it a universal size?

Art

Re: Escape hatch disaster but no rain til Tuesday

Reply #4 – February 15, 2015, 11:30:58 am

Yahoo Message Number: 151103

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My first expensive OOPS moment after I got the LD I backed out of a campsite with the escape hatch opened. A hungry tree branch grabbed it, ripped it off it's mounts, and flung it right in front of the rig. It was $100 to replace it at the local RV store including labor. The guys at Auburn RV in Auburn, CA. were first rate. Explained to them I was trying to get to Morro Bay for an event and they dropped what they were doing, found the replacement in their parts stock, and had me back on the road in an hour. The hatch, at least for my 01 is a universal size carried by most RV stores.

Bob

Re: Escape hatch disaster but no rain til Tuesday

Reply #6 – February 16, 2015, 01:39:13 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151163

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At the last Balloon Fiesta, a micro burst ripped the escape hatch forwards on my 2005 RB.  We taped it in place using LOTS of duct tape.  Then, thinking we had things in hand we proceeded to drive home to Phoenix on I-40.  A speeding semi and more wind tore the entire plastic hatch and more importantly, the metal cross piece (which has the crank) off.  As in LONG GONE!!

So!!  Learn from my mistake.  Take the metal cross piece off, then tape the plastic hatch in place.  If you lose the plastic hatch, no harm, no foul.  If you lose the metal cross piece, you will have issues!!!  It was two months before I could repair my hatch properly.  I could not get the metal cross piece, and had to order an entirely new hatch.

Also, if possible, order a new hatch from the Lazy Daze factory.  The replacement plastic hatch is superior to the original!

I've also learned from my 1990 multi-plan, Blue, that if one isn't handy with a pop-riveter, one can drill out the old pop-rivets and use nuts, bolts and washers to re-attach the plastic hatch.

Good Luck!!

Lisa and Ghost Rider

Re: Escape hatch disaster but no rain til Tuesday

Reply #8 – February 16, 2015, 02:30:57 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 151168

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Hi Sandy,

That was the same issue I had, the Mothership was out and the metal support was on back order from the supplier.

I ordered my replacement hatch from RV Parts Outlet, (through Amazon).  I just used the parts I needed, and now have a spare frame.  Like you, the weather was threatening!!!

Lisa and Ghost Rider