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03-27-2020, 09:38 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Huntsville, Al
Posts: 272
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Door Hits Awning Arm
A very good discussion has been taking place within another post regarding the entry door control arm bracket location, and the potential for the door to contact the deployed awning arm when it's opened. I personally have not experienced this problem on our new 31R5, but did have this issue on our previous FR3. My solution then, and preventative mitigation now, is to use a piece of parachute cord to control how far the door will travel when opened. It works great when the door is opened and a gust of wind tries to turn the door into a sail! It also reduces the strain on the control arm and bracket.
The cord is attached in the center top of the door and to the top of the door frame by drilling a pilot hole and small metal screws. The length of cord and actual hole location will be dependent on how far you want the door to open. To prevent potential interference, make sure the holes are offset a little when the door is closed. Here's a couple of pictures on my installed on our new Unit.
Chuck
__________________
Chuck & Donna
U.S. Army - Retired
2019 Georgetown GT5 31R5 w/2016 Chevy Colorado Toad
Days Camped: 2017 - 45, 2018 - 52, 2019 - 70, 2020 - 32, 2021 - 16
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03-28-2020, 06:36 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,406
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Good idea, in fact Tiffin and mostly their 5th wheels used something very similar inside the units where any cabinet door would hit something, it was more like a small cable to keep the door from hitting whatever was close. To me it was a very easy fix for a issue that is in a lot of brands.
__________________
2017 River Stone Legacy 38mb
2001 Kenworth T2000
2016 Smart for Two on deck
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03-28-2020, 08:05 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4,330
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Papaduck
A very good discussion has been taking place within another post regarding the entry door control arm bracket location, and the potential for the door to contact the deployed awning arm when it's opened.
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Where on the forum is this other discussion taking place? I had a problem with door and awning arm interference on a new motorhome, and was able to modify the air spring to shorten it. I thought I’d take a look at that other discussion.
__________________
2020 Sunseeker 2440DS on 2019 Ford E-450, Trekker cap, Topaz paint
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03-28-2020, 08:12 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LaGrange Ga
Posts: 450
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Door
Quote:
Originally Posted by Papaduck
A very good discussion has been taking place within another post regarding the entry door control arm bracket location, and the potential for the door to contact the deployed awning arm when it's opened. I personally have not experienced this problem on our new 31R5, but did have this issue on our previous FR3. My solution then, and preventative mitigation now, is to use a piece of parachute cord to control how far the door will travel when opened. It works great when the door is opened and a gust of wind tries to turn the door into a sail! It also reduces the strain on the control arm and bracket.
The cord is attached in the center top of the door and to the top of the door frame by drilling a pilot hole and small metal screws. The length of cord and actual hole location will be dependent on how far you want the door to open. To prevent potential interference, make sure the holes are offset a little when the door is closed. Here's a couple of pictures on my installed on our new Unit.
Chuck
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How do you keep the door open when the wind blows?
Mike
__________________
Mike Gray
Forest River Wildwood
2017 27 RKSS
2015 Sierra SLE 5.3 V8 4x4
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03-28-2020, 09:46 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,645
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike223
How do you keep the door open when the wind blows?
Mike
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The control arm and bracket is still there. I believe it is installed at the bottom of the door.
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03-28-2020, 10:26 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LaGrange Ga
Posts: 450
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbles
The control arm and bracket is still there. I believe it is installed at the bottom of the door.
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My problem is the control arm will not stay in the bracket unless I put a stick or something like that in it and if we have a big wind it comes out. I've changed from plastic to metal but same result.
Mike
__________________
Mike Gray
Forest River Wildwood
2017 27 RKSS
2015 Sierra SLE 5.3 V8 4x4
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03-28-2020, 01:26 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,645
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike223
My problem is the control arm will not stay in the bracket unless I put a stick or something like that in it and if we have a big wind it comes out. I've changed from plastic to metal but same result.
Mike
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His Georgetown's gas strut bracket is metal and if the wind blows to close the door the gas strut tries to collapse. The newly installed lanyard at the top along with the gas strut at the bottom keeps the door from being blown to far to the open position. At least that's the way it appears to me.
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03-28-2020, 07:58 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 94
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Hi Chuck - Great idea - and not really expensive but effective. Stay safe.
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03-28-2020, 08:59 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Huntsville, Al
Posts: 272
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BehindBars
Where on the forum is this other discussion taking place? I had a problem with door and awning arm interference on a new motorhome, and was able to modify the air spring to shorten it. I thought I’d take a look at that other discussion.
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The other discussion/comment was made in my previous Post "New to the Georgetown Family" ( https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ly-203700.html) and centered around the position of the control strut bracket position. Bubbles was correct about me still having the strut on the bottom and the cord on top. The cord eliminates entry door contact with the awning when it's open and if a strong gust of wind comes up.
Chuck
__________________
Chuck & Donna
U.S. Army - Retired
2019 Georgetown GT5 31R5 w/2016 Chevy Colorado Toad
Days Camped: 2017 - 45, 2018 - 52, 2019 - 70, 2020 - 32, 2021 - 16
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08-10-2020, 09:55 PM
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#10
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Chief tinkerer
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Texan, transplanted to Midwest Georgia
Posts: 816
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Same concept. Dog leash cut to length, screws. It gets tight just before the gas strut stop. 2 years on this, works great in Gusty winds.
__________________
Gary
2017 SunSeeker 3010DS
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08-11-2020, 06:53 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,628
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Good idea. The top bracket for my door strut will bend if the wind blows. I think I will be doing this!
Thanks!
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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