Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed (Read 317 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.
2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
While traveling around the gulf coast, two drawers have become stuck closed.  The first one (the one underneath the refrigerator) and then one of the wardrobe drawers.  I have tried power lifting them, banging the bottom of them, and finally giving them positive affirmation.  I talked to Vince at the Mothership and he was stumped.  He did give me a detailed explanation of how the locking mechanism works.  The only advice he could give me was how to fix it once I got the drawers unstuck.  Which hasn’t happend yet.  Has this happened to anyone else?
Glenn & Joan Lambert
Redford, MI
2017 27' Mid-Bath
Re: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
Reply #1 –
Glenn,

I’ve never had an issue with our LD drawers. I’m wondering if it’s damp outside and if for some reason the drawers have swollen a bit.

Worst would be that something in the drawer has wedged itself in the way preventing the darned thing from opening.

If dampness is the cause, then perhaps warm dry air could be introduced behind the offending draws to shrink the wood back to normal.

Very odd. Good luck with that.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
Reply #2 –
When opening my drawers, I lift and pull at the same time. Maybe because the drawers are so tight,you’re forgetting to lift.
2008 MB
Re: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
Reply #3 –
"Worst would be that something in the drawer has wedged itself in the way preventing the darned thing from opening."

Kent may be onto something here... if the drawer in question was overly full and needed compression of the contents to close, it could very well have now relaxed and is blocking the efforts to re-open it.   :(  Good luck with that unless there is a way to access it from above.   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
Reply #4 –
The stuck drawer under the refrigerator has always been empty.  I know it worked when I picked up our LD a year ago.  So that’s a mystery.  The stuck drawer under the wardrobe has clothes in it and wasn’t overloaded.  It was working fine when we started this trip.  The other three drawers in the wardrobe unit work fine.  Regarding humidity somehow causing the drawers to swell, I mentioned that to Vince, because it has been humid during our journeys between Gulf State Park, AL and New Orleans.  But Vince said the drawers would have to swell a lot for that to be the cause.  Also, I had the air conditioner on all day while in New Orleans and that should have reduced any humidity.  The stuck drawers do lift up a bit.  But not enough to release the locking mechanism so that I can also pull them out. 

Vince said the probable caused may be a bent tab in the locking mechanism of the metal drawer slideout.  He told me how to fix it.  Which I would try once I can get the two drawers open.  I guess this isn’t a common problem.  I didn’t have this problem in our previous 2002 MB, which we had for 15 years.  Oh well, I’ll keep trying.
Glenn & Joan Lambert
Redford, MI
2017 27' Mid-Bath
Re: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Glenn Lambert  - 
The stuck drawer under the refrigerator has always been empty.  I know it worked when I picked up our LD a year ago.  So that’s a mystery.  The stuck drawer under the wardrobe has clothes in it and wasn’t overloaded.  It was working fine when we started this trip.  The other three drawers in the wardrobe unit work fine.  Regarding humidity somehow causing the drawers to swell, I mentioned that to Vince, because it has been humid during our journeys between Gulf State Park, AL and New Orleans.  But Vince said the drawers would have to swell a lot for that to be the cause.  Also, I had the air conditioner on all day while in New Orleans and that should have reduced any humidity.  The stuck drawers do lift up a bit.  But not enough to release the locking mechanism so that I can also pull them out. 

Vince said the probable caused may be a bent tab in the locking mechanism of the metal drawer slideout.  He told me how to fix it.  Which I would try once I can get the two drawers open.  I guess this isn’t a common problem.  I didn’t have this problem in our previous 2002 MB, which we had for 15 years.  Oh well, I’ll keep trying.
"The stuck drawer under the refrigerator has always been empty."

I was going to congratulate you, Glenn, on having an empty drawer then I saw that you have a 2017 so perhaps you discovered it was stuck when you were getting ready to fill it. ;)

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
Reply #7 –
If the drawer locking is the same as a 2000 LD (and I don't know if it is or isn't) the arrangement is a couple of notches in the lower part of the drawer sides that you have to lift slightly to disengage when opening.  If the notches aren't quite deep enough, you can't lift the drawer high enough to clear.  So either the bottom of the drawer needs to be filed/sanded away, the hole in the cabinet needs to be a bit bigger where the drawer sides slide thru, or the height of the drawer sides at the top needs to be reduced.  Best bet is to sand behind the notch so it's not seen.  In most cases, the tool for the job is a double-sided sanding stick or file, of a minimum thickness.  Sanding stick could be sandpaper glued to a thin steel engineer's 6" rule, an automotive points file (which is very fine, and will take awhile) or even a basic manicurist's emery board. The key is thin, abrasive, and somewhat flexible.  File/sand away just a little in the target area, and that may be enough to get it open.  When open, you can sand a little more aggressively with traditional methods, until it fits to your liking.

Lame ASCII art attempt:

| <-------- Drawer face
|---------------------------------------------
|                                                          <----  Drawer side
|-------___________________________
  ^       ^ 
  ^       Sand here
  ^
  Notch


If 2017's aren't like this, then, ummm... I got nothin'. 
2000 Front Lounge
2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed - Solved
Reply #8 –
Ahhhhh.  So simple!  My wife said she needed some clothes from the wardrobe stuck drawer.  So I removed the drawer below it and contorted my arm like a snake to see if I could pull some clothes out.  There was a pair of her shorts wedged on the lip of the drawer.  This was what was preventing me from being able lift up and pull out the drawer.  Well I guess that’s how we learn things. 

Then I tried the stuck drawer under the refrigerator.  It has now spontaneously started working.  Maybe an example of some kind of celestial karma event.  Thanks for all of your suggestions!  I’ll have to let Vince at the Mothership know.
Glenn & Joan Lambert
Redford, MI
2017 27' Mid-Bath
Re: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
Reply #9 –
Maybe it was sticking in solidarity with the other one.
Then it realized how serious you were....  :)
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
Reply #10 –
"There was a pair of her shorts wedged on the lip of the drawer."

BINGO! Remember what I said about over-stuffed drawers? Shorts...Drawers, all the same!   :D   ;)   8)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: 2017 MB: Drawers Stuck Closed
Reply #11 –
In our RB, I use the drawer below the fridge as a utility “catch-all”. It’s not too difficult to find myself pushing the “spongy” items down a bit as I close the drawer.

In fear that something will get scooted off the back of the drawer as it is open, I have become very aware of the dangers of an overflow issue in loading the only indoor storage for small fix it items and such.

My large rolls of Velcro have been relegated to a cabinet above the couch. All batteries are now residing in the closet. Sometimes I learn my lesson before it’s too late.

Congratulations on getting your “drawers” out. 😏

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"