Outdoor Kitchen Door support struts brackets..

[pwrplay]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone else with an outdoor kitchen has had the brackets on the door that hold the support struts shear right off or pop right out.

I have had this happen to mine. One side pulled out when in the driveway one day when closing it. The other side pulled out this past week while on vacation.

Both times the middle screw sheared right off and the other 2 pulled half way out while closing the door. I always close it at the middle to eliminate stress on one side.

When the first side broke I replaced the screws and it worked for a couple of weeks, but then the other side broke and all the screws pulled out. I had to use a 2x6 I had in the truck to support the door for the rest of the trip. What a pain!

Funny thing is later that same day I saw another seasonal with the same TT as me (FE 292BHDS) and it looks like his one side also broke as there was only 1 strut holding the door.

My TT is out of warranty now, but my dealer said bring it by this week and he'll look at it. I'll let you know what happens.

[jeeplj8]

This has been a common theme for a number of brands recently. they are al using the same components and build material. One Prime Time owner stated his dealer told him one company makes the doors for all brands.

Anyway - the general fix appears to be attaching a flat piece of aluminum or heavy ABS plastic to the door material and then attaching the strut bracket to that. Most have used pop-rivets to attach that flat piece, some have used self tapping screws. I recommend adding some industrial adhesive before either rivets or screws.

[derf63]

pwrplay,

I have the same issue currently on my 320bhds. My door is in for it's third fix!! The last time the dealer did exactly what jeeplj8 said: they mounted a piece of ABS plastic to the door and then screwed to that. Well after maybe a half of a dozen cycles it too failed! Waiting to hear back from the dealer, they have fowarded my pictures onto the factory. Will let you guy's know when something happens.

[pwrplay]

Thanks guys,

I am taking it in to the dealer tomorrow for him to look at. I'll let you know what they say for a fix.
I think I'm going to suggest Stainless Steel bolts, washers and cap nuts and bolt right through the door with the cap nuts on the outside . That "should" hold it as SS bolts are very hard and should not shear (plus they won't rust).
.

[pwrplay]

I picked up the trailer on the weekend and the dealer bolted the brackets right through the door with Stainless steel screws and nuts. Looks pretty good actually. You wouldn't suspect it to be a modification as there are just 2 small screw heads on the outside.

Lets hope it holds up.

[CRZ]

Originally Posted by pwrplay

I picked up the trailer on the weekend and the dealer bolted the brackets right through the door with Stainless steel screws and nuts. Looks pretty good actually. You wouldn't suspect it to be a modification as there are just 2 small screw heads on the outside.

Lets hope it holds up.

I'd like to see a picture of that.
Anyway I had a plate welded to my factory brackets and never had I issue since.

[Scubanut]

I had the same problem with my outdoor kitchen door. I used the stainless steel bolts and washers. It has worked flawless for two seasons.

[Scubanut]

Another problem I noticed that if it is raining and you are working in the outdoor kitchen the rain hits the raised door then water runs down to the top hinge area and I get a rain line on the back of my head and into the kitchen counter.
I tried two ways to fix it, first was to put plumbers putty all along the hinge. That worked for awhile but was just to messy. So cleaned that up then decided to move the gas strut hinges down about 4 inches to just above the counter. That worked great, the water now runs the other way away from the trailer. Added bonus you don't need to be almost 6 feet tall to reach the lid to close it.


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[Scubanut]

After thinking about the water issue I had. I looked at several online pictures of trailers like mine I notice there is no obvious pattern they follow when installing these doors. Just be aware of yours and try to get so it slopes away from the trailer when it rains. Cook outside once and you will understand why.
Another issues with these outdoor kitchens is bugs( if you look behind your fridge and drawer spacers)there is a lot of direct access to the inside of your trailer because nothing is screened. If you leave your kitchen door open your will be swatting bugs that night. They have direct access to bunk house and into your furnace area and can come into your inside cabin via furnace decorative access that have direct access.


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[Scubanut]

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[fmiloscia]

I covered the access holes with aluminum screening.

[Scubanut]

Thanks.
Good idea, as soon as I dig it out the Winter storage parking that will be the first mod of the year. I was thinking of doing that last year but got laid up with knee problem.


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[CRZ]

I cut 2 round piece of a paper towel and placed it in the 2 vents. I needed something fast. I was going to install some screen but I forgot until now, thanks!


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[Scubanut]

Originally Posted by CRZ

I'd like to see a picture of that.
Anyway I had a plate welded to my factory brackets and never had I issue since.


Attachment 38688

2012 F150 FX4 Crew 5.0
2012 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS (outdoor Kitchen)

[Scubanut]

Originally Posted by Scubanut

Attachment 79741Attachment 79742


2012 F150 FX4 Crew 5.0
2012 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS (outdoor Kitchen)

2012 F150 FX4 Crew 5.0
2012 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS (outdoor Kitchen)