My best $19 mod

[RVhiker]

The sliding panel to operate the screen door handle is a pain. I read somewhere of a "handle" that looks like a plastic lever to allow the screen door handle to be operated without sliding open the access panel, but I didn't like that idea. I googled and found this site http://www.rvscreendoorhandle.com/ which has a different concept - a real handle. I ordered a handle, and it is really nice. It took about 10 minutes to put on, and cost a grand total of $19. To install it, there's one square hole you have to make in the sliding access panel; it comes with a template to enable getting the hole in the right place. I used a Dremel tool with a little cutting bit, but you could use a drill and a file to square up the sides and corners. Here's some pictures; the first is from the inside, the second is from the outside, and the third is showing the handle in use opening the door:

[Dukedog]

Great idea.

[hammer]

That handle is a toilet trip lever if i ever saw one

[hammerdown]

COOL I like it.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by hammer

That handle is a toilet trip lever if i ever saw one

So? If it works...

[RVhiker]

I thought it looked like a toilet flush handle, too, and considered buying one and modifying it for the screen door. But, in order for the handle to function properly, you have to have a spring to return it to the up position to keep it out of the way of the regular screen door handle. I thought by the time I buy one toilet handle, ruin it once trying to get the right bend in the rod and have to buy another one, and working out the spring deal, I figure by buying the engineered screen door kit I'm about $5 ahead. Not to mention the two holes in the sliding panel, because the first one I put in for my home made rig would have been in the wrong place.

[Big Jim]

Originally Posted by hammer

That handle is a toilet trip lever if i ever saw one

That is EXACTLY what my grandfather would have said! Thanks for the laugh!!
I am going to buy a "hopper" handle and build it myself.....

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

The sliding panel to operate the screen door handle is a pain. I read somewhere of a "handle" that looks like a plastic lever to allow the screen door handle to be operated without sliding open the access panel, but I didn't like that idea. I googled and found this site http://www.rvscreendoorhandle.com/ which has a different concept - a real handle. I ordered a handle, and it is really nice. It took about 10 minutes to put on, and cost a grand total of $19. To install it, there's one square hole you have to make in the sliding access panel; it comes with a template to enable getting the hole in the right place. I used a Dremel tool with a little cutting bit, but you could use a drill and a file to square up the sides and corners. Here's some pictures; the first is from the inside, the second is from the outside, and the third is showing the handle in use opening the door:

I have the other one but wish that i had seen this one first!

[Locky66]

I like the idea but does the handle interfere with the plastic slidding door not opening all the way?

[taviking22]

This is a good fine! I'm going to make the purchase as some have said will prevent me from attempting a DBIY (design/build it yourself) screw-up . And it has to be a good product as the manufacturer also lives in the Husker Nation!

[Threebutchers]

I must be special....my screen door came with an inside and outside handle.....:king_grin:

Nice job!

[norty1]

If your screen door has a flat sliding panel, call them and they will send you one that works on the flat panel for the same price. That is the type screen on my Jayco Eagle.

[Boubou]

Originally Posted by norty1

If your screen door has a flat sliding panel, call them and they will send you one that works on the flat panel for the same price. That is the type screen on my Jayco Eagle.

do you mean one with the spring loaded handle (round) as seen on other TTs?
I'd love to have one

[RVhiker]

Originally Posted by Locky66

I like the idea but does the handle interfere with the plastic slidding door not opening all the way?

The handle I ordered from http://www.rvscreendoorhandle.com/ works perfectly on my 2011 Eagle Superlite 28.5RLS fifth wheel.

His website mentions he'll take a check, instead of having to use Paypal. So I sent him a check, and the product arrived promptly.

[tlhdoc]

On a camping trip 3 years ago an older camper came over to check out my 17Z. He had a htt that originally had supports you had to put under the bunkends and he modded that to use a chain for the bed support, like the newer htt use a cable. Anyway he told me about getting a toilet flush handle and making a door opener. That is how he opened his screen door. Guess someone took the idea and put it in a package.

[norty1]

I am talking about the one described as a "flush handle". The original thread starter.

It may resemble a flush lever but it is spring loaded.

[taviking22]

An update on the seller of the rv screen door handle- Bill Steele

I found this out after attempting to call Bill to purchase his product as I have the flat slider panel. He did not answer the phone nor respond to my email request. So I did an Internet search and found a link on his church's facebook page concerning Bill and his wife.

They were in a horrific car accident April 3. They are both in the hospital and have undergone operations to set bones, etc. If you are interested in their progress you can follow them on Caring Bridge.

Thought I should let you know so if you are interested in ordering Bill's door handle, you would know why there is no connection to him yet.

[norty1]

Thanks for the info. I have called him several times and know that his business was a small family type with personal service.

Sure am sorry to hear of their injuries.

[dwelcome]

I installed the very same handle and it works great, i highly recommend it.

[fochman]

I installed one of these on my TT two years ago and it does work great.