Rear door mystery

[Taranwanderer]

So I let the dog out tonight, look over at the XLR, and the rear door is wide open. With the recent "homeless person breaking into the camper" thread, I walk outside to check on it. No footprints in the snow around the door, so I'm pretty sure there's no one inside, nor did someone open it as a prank. I should also note that the door was locked, with the RVLock deadbolt. Upon inspection, it seems that the deadbolt is suddenly unable to protrude far enough into the door frame to keep it closed. As in, the door physically can't latch. Now, I should also mention that it's very cold here this weekend--took the TV for a spin today, dash read 6°. So I'm going to chalk it up to the cold causing things to contract and what not. Had to bungee the door closed from the inside. Has this ever happened to anyone else?

[arpipeliner]

Had a coworker that his door would be open. Came to see me if I thought someone was pranking him as nothing would be gone or moved.

The latch jam in the door frame was pushed in enough it was not a lot of holding. Gently pried it out and fixed that issue. I think it would happen from him slamming the door. Maybe a place to look at.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[ussills]

I'm currently having the same issue on a 2014 XLR 395amp. It's actually both my doors, front and rear. On the way home from the dealership the day I purchased it the rear door flung open. It's been cold here in Delaware, so I'm not sure if that is a reason. But both doors are noticeably warped. When I find the doors open, the deadbolt still fully extend that out.

[cgotto1204]

Had this problem with my second Travel Trailer, 23BD. Mine had foil film that prevented the dead bolt from being fully seated in the door jam. Taken my car key and punctured a hole in the foil for the dead bolt to latch fully.

[Herk7769]

While I don't have an XLR, my door also would not lock because the deadbolt would not extend due to it hitting the door keeper.

After much head scratching I realized they had put the wrong "hold open" piston at the top of my door. It was too strong and was actually twisting the door out of plumb. My only fix was to find a lower pressure piston of that size (I could not) or remove it completely; which I did. I also installed a latch to hold the door open like most older campers.

[Taranwanderer]

It almost feels like when the door/frame gets cold enough, something contracts, and the deadbolt doesn't engage far enough into the jamb. Now that's it's above freezing, it seems to be "ok" again. I'm hoping that I can adjust or shim something once it warms up.

[Berjr1]

If we don't engage the dead bolts our doors on our 27 they will pop open for no reason, as well. I looked into padding out the catches on the jamb but i think they would rub the door when closing. i feel the latches need to throw out further to be successful