Basement Door Handle Removal

[Rambling Sam]

I have replaced the plungers and adjusted the U-bolts for nearly all of the basement doors on my 2010 Berkshire 390BH. However, short of angry destruction followed by remorse, I cannot figure out how to remove the handle on the two doors (one on each side) which have the handle only on the inside of the door. Without removing the handle, I cannot get to the wire that attaches to the plunger. A picture is attached (I think).

The plastic plunger on one of these doors has broken, so the door will not stay closed on its own. Fortunately, there is an extension from this door that means it will stay closed/locked so long as the door in front of it does not fail.

Thanks for any advice.

John

[NO3putt]

No picture, however when you do replace it make sure the replacement plunger is metal. Skip

[Rambling Sam]

Thanks, No 3 Putt. Some day I will figure out how to attach a picture on this site.

I completely agree about using the metal replacements. I bought ten and only have two left but they are a needed upgrade over ten year old plastic.

[silver]

Originally Posted by Rambling Sam

Thanks, No 3 Putt. Some day I will figure out how to attach a picture on this site.

I completely agree about using the metal replacements. I bought ten and only have two left but they are a needed upgrade over ten year old plastic.

Perhaps my 2008 is different but I can remove the two screws and the cover slips off.

As for the metal plungers where did you get yours and do you have the part number?

[Rambling Sam]

Originally Posted by silver

Perhaps my 2008 is different but I can remove the two screws and the cover slips off.

As for the metal plungers where did you get yours and do you have the part number?

I have all the information in the rig, but I am out of town until next weekend. I will post the name and part number when I get home.

[Enerloss]

We have had a similar basement door problem and so are interested in the replacement metal handles too.

Joan and Glenn in Seeleys Bay Ont

[Rambling Sam]

Originally Posted by Enerloss

We have had a similar basement door problem and so are interested in the replacement metal handles too.

Joan and Glenn in Seeleys Bay Ont

You can buy the metal plungers from RB Machining (www.motorhomelatches.com). Their phone is 661-274-1966. The latches described as “Winnebago type latch” fit and worked fine for all bay doors on my 390BH. Each plunger cost $16. They do not accept credit cards, so they ship without payment, and you mail them a check when you receive the plungers.

[wrighfr58]

Originally Posted by Rambling Sam

You can buy the metal plungers from RB Machining (www.motorhomelatches.com). Their phone is 661-274-1966. The latches described as “Winnebago type latch” fit and worked fine for all bay doors on my 390BH. Each plunger cost $16. They do not accept credit cards, so they ship without payment, and you mail them a check when you receive the plungers.

What type and size cable did you use?

[Rambling Sam]

Originally Posted by wrighfr58

What type and size cable did you use?

I do not recall the specs, as I simply took some of the existing wire to a hardware store and bought something similar. There have been no problems since then.

[ernest917]

Question: how do you remove those from the back two rear compartment door???? The door bottoms are curved and I can’t get them out.

Recently had someone tell me you have to actually bend lower portion of door, replace them then rebrand door back...

That doesn’t seem right to me....

Do you drill out door panel rivets???

Can’t believe they’d make it this difficult - duh!!!!

[Eric B FR Diesel]

We buy the aluminum baggage doors per-assembled, so the internal gust of the lock are already installed. What part are you trying to replace for the door?

[ernest917]

The plunger portion - it’s broken off so no way to actually latch door closed....

[Eric B FR Diesel]

Originally Posted by ernest917

The plunger portion - it’s broken off so no way to actually latch door closed....

Do you have your vin# handy? Might be able to get some information on who we got the doors from, and the instructions on how to replace. I do know that when I talked to the service department, they did say that yes there are times that they gentle have to bend the bottom panel out to replace the plunger on the rear doors. when they do this, they do it very slow and delicate to damage the paint on the other side. once the replacement is in they gentle roll the bottom panel back.

[MartyQ]

Originally Posted by ernest917

Question: how do you remove those from the back two rear compartment door???? The door bottoms are curved and I can’t get them out.

Recently had someone tell me you have to actually bend lower portion of door, replace them then rebrand door back...

That doesn’t seem right to me....

Do you drill out door panel rivets???

Can’t believe they’d make it this difficult - duh!!!!

Think I recall photos on the Berkshire Facebook group. Found the post, look for..... (Search the Facebook group for "latches")

Maria Mingo Howard to Berkshire Motorhome Owners Group

March 11, 2019 at 11:43 PM ·

Here are some videos to help with putting new latches in the basement doors.

[Igave]

We don’t do Facebook so I can’t speak to what’s shown there; but, when I’ve done our I’ve just kept working/fiddling with them until they finally slide out. I loosen the cable from above first. Taking the broken one out and the new one has never gone particularly easy but I’ve eventually got it done. I’m sure a lot gentler on how I close those doors now, leaving the “slam” part off.