Entry door stuck shut on Forester

mrmilo · 07-26-2016, 01:12 PM

I have a 2014 Forester and last night we shut the coach entry door and now cannot open it. We can enter via the cab door but the coach door is stuck shut. I was going to try and unscrew the door handle but the screen door blocks one of the screws. Any suggestions?

AquaMan · 07-26-2016, 01:16 PM

Is it unlocked?

Pull the door towards you, pull the handle and push from the inside. A slight shoulder nudge may help also. I had a door get stuck during a cold spell, where the door shrunk at a different rate the the coach. I've since adjusted the latch and it doesn't happen anymore.

mrmilo · 07-26-2016, 01:37 PM

Door is unlocked and I've tried pushing and pulling from the inside and outside while pulling the handle. But it just won't open the latch.

**Iwritecode** · 07-26-2016, 03:58 PM

We had this happen one time in our Wildwood TT when one of the screws on the door catch backed out. The door would not open no matter how hard we pulled.

Our only solution at the time was to literally drill out the hinges of the door. They aren't like regular house doors where you can just pop a pin out. Eventually got the door off then IIRC, we just cut up a metal coat hanger to slide back into the hinges.

Also put some lock-tight on the screws so they wouldn't back out again.

Don't know if this is the problem you're having or not but it's a possibility.

widogmom · 07-27-2016, 12:25 PM

We have this same lock on our Sunseeker, and it comes out of adjustment & jams all the time...very frustrating! Try lifting slightly before you pull (or push, from the inside) and see if that works. We're going to replace ours (round tuit schedule). Good luck!

padcarroll · 07-27-2016, 12:34 PM

I have the same one on my 14 Legacy. I recently had the same issue. An internal part broke that pulls the latch back. If the handle pulls freely with no resistance than you probably have the same problem. I picked up a updated version of the same lock at CW.

mrmilo · 07-27-2016, 01:15 PM

Bingo. The latch bolt itself was broken inside so the door handle could not retract the latch. It will need to be replaced but I can still lock the door with the deadbolt. Thanks all for the replies.

padcarroll · 07-27-2016, 01:54 PM

That is exactly what happened to mine except it broke right where the rails met the back piece. Here is the replacement part number from CW.
Item No. Description Price Ea.
70814 Entrance Door Lock With Deadbolt $93.94

mtnlvr · 07-27-2016, 02:40 PM

My Solera has the same lock and jams occasionally. I tightened the screws and that helped a little. It has jammed up on me on a couple of hot days this summer, only to open in the evening after it has cooled back down.

ov845 · 07-27-2016, 04:43 PM

Upgrade to a keyless entry for a few bucks more.

https://www.rvlock.com/collections/r...eyless-systems

Good strong locks. We have 2 doors and replaced both. The kit was easy to install.

Happy Camping!

2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab
Engine 5.7L Gear 3.92
Airlift 1000
2015 2809W WindJammer
Husky Centerline WDH

Vince and Charlette · 07-29-2016, 01:49 PM

I got locked out of my 2015 GT for the same reason. Had to climb in through drivers side window. There is a safety recall on some models of these door handles. Ours was replaced for free. Check with manufacturers web site. The affected models are listed there.

mrmilo · 07-29-2016, 03:07 PM

I called Trimark and there is no recall on the 060-1650 (aka RV Designer T507) door lockset. However, googling the door lock did show that an lot of other people have had the latch bolt fail in the same way mine did. For now, I'll just order a replacement and hope for the best.

fobagbob · 07-29-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmilo

Bingo. The latch bolt itself was broken inside so the door handle could not retract the latch. It will need to be replaced but I can still lock the door with the deadbolt. Thanks all for the replies.

How did you get the door open?

mrmilo · 07-29-2016, 05:32 PM

I unscrewed the lock from the inside. The only issue was that one screw was obscured by the side of the screen door but it was close enough to the edge that it could be removed. It left scrapes on the screen door, but only minimally. Then used needle nose pliers to pull the latch bolt back and the door opened. Until I replace it, the door won't stay closed unless you use the deadbolt to keep it shut. But it does open and you can lock it so it's not too big of a problem.

fobagbob · 07-29-2016, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmilo

I unscrewed the lock from the inside. The only issue was that one screw was obscured by the side of the screen door but it was close enough to the edge that it could be removed. It left scrapes on the screen door, but only minimally. Then used needle nose pliers to pull the latch bolt back and the door opened. Until I replace it, the door won't stay closed unless you use the deadbolt to keep it shut. But it does open and you can lock it so it's not too big of a problem.

Thanks for the info, now I know how to remove the latch if this happens to me.

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