Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-27-2020, 09:38 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Papaduck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Huntsville, Al
Posts: 272
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
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20200327_173345.jpg
Views:	179
Size:	126.9 KB
ID:	225883   Click image for larger version

Name:	20200327_173400-1.jpg
Views:	168
Size:	281.0 KB
ID:	225884   Click image for larger version

Name:	20200327_173407-1.jpg
Views:	153
Size:	353.5 KB
ID:	225885   Click image for larger version

Name:	20200327_173415-1.jpg
Views:	201
Size:	227.4 KB
ID:	225886  
__________________
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
Papaduck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2020, 06:36 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,406
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
dblr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2020, 08:05 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4,330
Quote:
Originally Posted by Papaduck View Post
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.
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
BehindBars is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2020, 08:12 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Mike223's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LaGrange Ga
Posts: 450
Door

Quote:
Originally Posted by Papaduck View Post
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
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
Mike223 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2020, 09:46 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
bubbles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,645
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike223 View Post
How do you keep the door open when the wind blows?
Mike
The control arm and bracket is still there. I believe it is installed at the bottom of the door.
bubbles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2020, 10:26 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Mike223's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LaGrange Ga
Posts: 450
Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbles View Post
The control arm and bracket is still there. I believe it is installed at the bottom of the door.
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
Mike223 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2020, 01:26 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
bubbles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,645
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike223 View Post
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
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.
bubbles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2020, 07:58 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 94
Hi Chuck - Great idea - and not really expensive but effective. Stay safe.
Quilter3446 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2020, 08:59 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Papaduck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Huntsville, Al
Posts: 272
Quote:
Originally Posted by BehindBars View Post
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.
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
Papaduck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2020, 09:55 PM   #10
Chief tinkerer
 
Gidyupgo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Texan, transplanted to Midwest Georgia
Posts: 816
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.Click image for larger version

Name:	1578789470.jpeg
Views:	69
Size:	98.5 KB
ID:	236322
__________________
Gary

2017 SunSeeker 3010DS
Gidyupgo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2020, 06:53 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Dodge Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,628
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!
Dodge Guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
awning, door

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:37 AM.