How do you keep your door open?

Revy · 03-29-2021, 12:08 PM

We bought a new Jayco Melbourne on the sprinter chassis and took it for it's maiden voyage last weekend. We've got a list of all the things we need to add and remove, but one thing has me a bit stumped. How can we keep the door open?

All my previous RV's had a door that would swing 180° and get pinned open. The door on our new coach only opens 90° and has one of those gas shocks on the bottom.

Over the weekend, I grabbed a screwdriver and shoved it in the gap to keep it open. Problem was it also prevented the screen door from closing.

I'm thinking of making a block that fits just below the screen door hinge. Does anyone else have this issue? Anyone come up with anything more creative than a block of wood or a screwdriver?

Camper_bob · 03-29-2021, 12:43 PM

The gas shock doesn't keep it open? You might have a bad shock?

Scott · 03-29-2021, 01:14 PM

My gas shock keeps mine open. I have to hold on to the door as I open it so the shock does not pull it open too fast as it is pretty strong. If it is really windy, I keep the door closed.

Studiovette · 03-29-2021, 01:17 PM

I use to love that about our Jay flight. Our 2018 Greyhawk only opens 90deg to prevent from smashing into the window behind it. When it's windy it gets hammered. [emoji26] Would be interesting to see the ideas that others have come up with.

Camper_bob · 03-29-2021, 02:56 PM

Mine goes 90 deg to avoid hitting the awning arm.

Just last weekend, had to tell DW to be careful opening the door because it was so windy. Once it was open though, it pretty well stayed put. I could just see her popping the door open, letting it get away from her and ripping that little strut right off.

mini4mw · 03-29-2021, 03:53 PM

I think the gas strut kept it open at 90 but they want it open at 180.

I might look at the magnets that hold open storage doors. Not sure if they would be strong enough though.

I'm not big on drilling holes, so perhaps a 3M command strip with hooks w/ a bungie cord would be strong enough in this case. They hold large wet towels so I'd imagine a door would work.

Revy · 03-29-2021, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

The gas shock doesn't keep it open? You might have a bad shock?

Woah, I hadn't considered that. I must have a defective gas shock. I thought it was just a buffer thing to keep the door from opening too fast. I'll go get a replacement from the dealer.

Thanks!

Camper_bob · 03-29-2021, 04:10 PM

What model is it? From what I understand, there's usually a reason it's limited to 90. In my case, it's the awning arm. In other cases, it's a window or some other obstruction.

Also, in that case, if installed properly, the door should stay open except in some pretty significant wind anyway, even if it IS only at 90.

If nothing there, then heck yeah, LOTS of ways to do it. A baggage door magnet attached with 3M VHB adhesive double-sided tape would probably work pretty well. Works REALLY well on my baggage doors. But there are all kinds of options...

Revy · 03-29-2021, 04:42 PM

Sorry for the confusion, I'm fine with it being 90. It would hit my awning if it went further. I just wanted it to stay open. It didn't dawn on me that it might be broken. The shock right now is acting more like a buffer

Camper_bob · 03-30-2021, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revy

Sorry for the confusion, I'm fine with it being 90. It would hit my awning if it went further. I just wanted it to stay open. It didn't dawn on me that it might be broken. The shock right now is acting more like a buffer

Yes, that shock should hold the door open unless there's wind blowing on it. On mine it takes a pretty decent breeze to even move the door, and a pretty stiff gust to close it (which has not happened to me yet, but I assume it's possible).

Brownie · 03-30-2021, 07:08 AM

The doors on both my trailers have opened 180*, so I'm not familiar with the gas shock that is suppose to hold it open at 90*. There may be an adjustment screw on the end of the gas shock that you can turn to adjust the tension within the shock. That's the way it is on your S&B storm door. If no tension adjustment screw, then probably bad shock.

Grumpy · 03-30-2021, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brownie

The doors on both my trailers have opened 180*, so I'm not familiar with the gas shock that is suppose to hold it open at 90*.

It's probably on a MH and very close to the front. The shock is there so the door doesn't hit the awning arm so it stops at 90 degrees.

kwalsh · 03-30-2021, 11:33 AM

my door only goes 90 because of the hot water heater would melt it i would replace the shock as mine has had some seriously strong winds and only wiggled a little bit

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