Broken 90 degree latch that holds the door open

[christopher.smith50]

We just took delivery of a new 31 QBDS and love the layout. During the walk though the dealer warned us about the plastic 90 degree latch that holds the door open. The door has to be held at 90 degrees due to the location of the door relative to the awning. Unfortunately the latch is plastic and was broken by one of my children on the first day home. The door was latched open and he tried to pull it shut. The dealer said they used plastic intentionally so that it would break before it pulled the latch off the side of the trailer.

Anyone else have this problem with the plastic 90 latch? I am trying to find a better solution than to simply replace the plastic latch that will once again break. Is there a way to fabricate a spring into the latch or use something similar to a screen door wind guard?

[Tunce the traveler]

My door has to be held at 90deg. and has worked fine for 100s and 100s of opening and closings. On the new trailers they install a small plunger on the bottom of the door. If you do a search you might find it or your dealer should know about it.

[Desert RVers]

Ours broke within a few days, by a small gust of wind.

[Harsten]

Same here. Made it halfways through the first outing before the wind got it.

[mike837go]

Broken when we were shown our 19RD at the dealer. Replaced before we paid for it.
I expect it will be a routine repair over the life of my ownership.


So far (3 weeks) it has held against any breeze.


Good idea on the nitrogen cylinder. May look into that.

[Pcschwenke]

We broke our 90 degree latch on our 23MB the first day as well. Poor planning on Jayco's part.

[mike837go]

My last trailer could have used the 90* latch because it had a similar relationship between the door and an aftermarket awning. I used a bungee cord from the door handle to the support for the front window cover.


Won't work on the new TT. No front window.

[Pcschwenke]

Since our latch broke, we use a bungee cord as well. Also, we purchased a "Noodle" foam tube cut lengthwise placed over the edge of the door to insure it won't be damaged from the awning.

[mike837go]

Ok, we have bungee cords.


Do I hear a duct tape fix?

[jbnimble]

Originally Posted by mike837go

Ok, we have bungee cords.


Do I hear a duct tape fix?

We just picked up a White Hawk. Both door latches broke the 1st day. We now use bungee cords to latch the door 180 degrees. Just need to be careful not have the window open against the door. Problem solved. Bad design on Jayco, other than that everything else is great.

[mike837go]

It's been about 5 weeks of keeping the door open 3-4 days/wk.


The right angle piece of plastic is more pretzel-shaped now.


If the day is not breezy I leave the door free.


Any kind of high winds expected: Door is closed!


I'm hoping it'll hold up into August.