RV Door Jams

[ellenw]

That's "jams" as in verb, to get stuck, to lock Ellen out, to make Ellen feel foolish at 10pm in her jammies walking Tucker -- not "door jambs."

Anyone else ever encounter this? My coach door has shut and seemingly locked 4 or 5 times now -- enough so I carry the cab door key with me WHENEVER I'm outside, no matter the time of day. And I've taken to keeping the cab doors unlocked except when I go to bed. The coach key will NOT open the door -- it's absolutely jammed shut.

The last time it happened I couldn't get it unjammed for 24 hours and the ground was so unlevel that my hydraulic jacks had the rig off the front tires! That made me VERY nervous and climbing up into the cab became an athletic feat each time. I finally packed up and left Saturday morning when the rain started and the ground stank like sewage. (Not recommending this particular campground, BTW.)

I drove straight to the dealer/service department, where Mike, the service manager, has been doing all tweaks and adjustments under warranty and the coach door opened right up for him! ( < me with steam coming out my ears! ) He started laughing when he saw my face and asked if I happened to be unlevel when it happened. He said his folks have the same model and his mom called one day, laughing hysterically, because his dad was locked inside and couldn't get out! He asked her if the RV was jacked up at all. She reported back yes, it was jacked up on one side. (And Dad was INSIDE??) Mike told Mom to tell Dad to lower the jacks and sure enough, their door opened right up.

Mike claimed the Jayco door jambs (yes, with a "b" this time) shift when not level, causing the door to jam. Does this sound plausible? I checked the Jayco owners' forum and couldn't find anything. The only way I can think to test is to pay closer attention to see if it happens again on level ground.

Ideas/suggestions? Or is he pullling my leg?

[MelissaD]

It is very possible that the door will jam when you are not level. The frame and coach will twist when not on level ground. There are many times that I have to find a flat spot to shut doors on a semi trailer due to frame twist. Your suspension can only correct for so much, after that your frame will start to twist or flex. If you have tight clearance in a door (for a good seal) it will get jammed in its frame. If the door jamb pinches the lock mechanism as it twists it will keep the lock from opening as well.

[Carolinagal]

Ellen, I've noticed this on my RV also. If I am somewhat unlevel, the door will either stay locked or will open VERY hard. Blocked up this is apt to happen more often, if I don't get it fairly level. Aggravating, and somewhat embarrassing. I always have my keys on me and am not above going in front door Saves pulling my arms out of joint !! I've also noticed this too, when I have been level, it will be VERY hard to open when the weather is bad, rain or very cold. I don't have a repair place close by, but will have this checked out when I get out of here, whenever that is

I'll be watching for the responses on this thread.
CArol

[mitch5252]

..
I love mornings where the first post I read makes me smile!
Thank you, Ellen.
Glad you now know how to fix the problem.
..

[Acadianmom]

I have also had problems with the whole locking system in the door getting out of place. I can't lock the dead bold now and I have already had it repaired once. I am thinking about talking to a locksmith the next time instead of the RV place.

Martha

[retiredhappy]

Okay, here's my door jamming story which some of you have already heard.

Door was getting harder and harder to open. I'm gone for several hours and when I get back coach door won't open and dogs are inside wanting out. I get my ladder and climb thru the big window over the couch, with a neighbor's help (he's pushing on my rear as I go thru wiindow). I get inside and door won't open still. I call my RV guy Chris in a panic. "Door won't open from outside or inside. Dog's NEED to go out. I climbed thru window to get inside". After a loooooong pause Chris says; "Don't you have a class C with two doors up front?" Now I fee really, really stupid. Chris laughs every time he sees me for about a year. Replaced door lock.

[ellenw]

It is very possible that the door will jam when you are not level.

Thanks, Melissa! I feel redeemed - not just my novice inexperience!

In fact this presents yet another reason to be as level as possible, doesn't it? I rely on my hydraulic jacks to get me as level as possible, but they needed recalibration a month or two ago. And this last campground was the pits - literally. The ground was so soggy, it was pitted all over and ycchhhy! The jack pads sank right in. I've ordered those larger (14" x 12") jack pads from Amazon; they'll be here today.

Also good to know the guy I trust for service isn't pulling my leg. He's a good guy! (And I LUVA LUVA LUVA my Jayco 2-year warranty!)

[bluepinecones]

I've been having door stick too - level or not. Could not open from inside either.
See: http://www.womenrv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10742

Have used a spray lubricant; seems to have helped at least a little.

Love Karens story.

[mnladyus]

One of the things I was told about the door on my scamp is to make sure when you unlock your door that the key is turned as far as it can go, or it can stick. A few people have been locked in the camper and had to crawl out the window to use the key from the outside to unlock it. I think I would look a little silly trying to crawl out my little windows on the Scamp. I've never had the problem, but I try to be careful when I unlock the door to make sure the key is turned all the way.

[Pooker]

Have heard Karen's story before and get a chuckle every time! Another reason, I think, is at least a possibility in my case:

I think I tend to lean too much on the door handle when I go in and out. Yes, there's a grab bar, but it's on the right and I often have a tray or something in my right hand, so I think I lean my weight too much on the door. Especially since my second step is quite steep. I have scrape marks where the door scratches the bottom jamb. My son has adjusted the door hinges many times, but I can't help wondering if I'm the problem. Same thing happens to my door at home. All of a sudden the door jams! Of course, it's an aluminum one, too, because it's a mobilehome. But yes, being off level causes lots and lots of problems.

On the other hand, a couple in my camping group had their brand new Class A lock them out and they were bang on level. Another guy, younger and skinnier, was able to squeeze himself through the cab's passenger window and with others helping outside, took the lock apart. That's a worry about many Class A's - no other door!

Like Karen's story, my DH and I proudly brought our new Class A to the first club outing to show it off. Got locked inside! Yelled at one of the guys passing by on the way to the meeting and with DH passing tools out a window, he was able to take the door apart and let us out. As we walked around the rig, we spotted the driver's door! Hadn't had one of those in prvious rigs! Red faces, believe me!

Pooker

[OregonLuvr]

Ellen, your repair guy is absolutely right. This has happened to me a couple of times and I have just had to change the level.

I do not use Auto Level...it always makes my coach too high. I usually lower all the jacks until they just touch the ground, then look at my little cheapo level, (or the bubble level app on my phone) in the bottom of the fridge (that is what I want most level). THEN I check my bedroom door and see which way it swings when open. Tweak, tweak, tweak until I get the door from swinging one way or the other. Then I open the fridge and see if I have to raise the back or front jacks depending on whether it swings open or closed. Bubble in center of level in fridge, I am happy. It sounds involved but I am usually only tweaking a couple of times. Easy peasy.

karen