Outside storage compartment doors - what’s the secret?

[LeeF]

It seems that the doors to the outside storage bays are really finicky. Sometimes they open easily, other times not. And I can’t figure out how to lock them. Currently, one of them (The one underneath the kitchen) is stuck - the latch on one side will open, but the other side will not. The “main” storage compartment under the rear bedroom had this problem briefly but now opens easily. Still can’t lock it though. And just to add to the comedy, my tool kit is in the compartment that won’t open.

I assume there’s a trick to this?

[Oaklevel]

Move the RV and things may be fine. I'm guessing that the doors may get in a bind depending on how the RV is sitting. Out of level ?

[LeeF]

It is level. And everything opened last night when I arrived at the campsite, but this morning they don’t.

[Iwritecode]

Are you talking about barrel locks or slam latch locks?

I had some barrel locks on mine that I had to bend the tab on the back a little bit because I had trouble getting it to turn to lock/unlock. A little bit of pressure with a pair of pliers fixed the problem right away.

[LeeF]

They are slam latches.

[Iwritecode]

Are you having trouble getting the key to turn or getting the latch to pull out when it is unlocked?

[LeeF]

The latch won’t open when I didn’t lock it. Also, although I can get the key to turn on all the storage bays, turning it doesn’t seem to do anything. It neither locks nor unlocks anything.

[Iwritecode]

Sounds like you may have just gotten some bad latches. The internal mechanisms must be messed up somehow. I've never had an issue with mine opening or closing.

I've never done it but I don't think they are too difficult to replace.

[DaveJordan]

Suggest you post pics of your locks...

[JLeising]

Posted a reply on your earlier thread.

[DannyLori]

Pictures would definitely help.

[BillyBass]

Two things when locking and unlocking push in on the door.or use some wd40 on them

[bubbles]

Yes, as Billy Bass says. Push in on door while pulling latch.

[CGK]

Our outside compartment door locks appeared to be frozen when we got the TT. The dealer had no problem opening them during the PDI, but our key didn't seem to do the job. I squirted some silicone spray into the key opening of locks, which enabled me to open them. Then I liberally applied the spray to the entire mechanism (locks and latches). That seemed to do it - no problem for over 1.5 years since doing that. Good luck!

[AdamKam]

Sometimes the screw holding the tabs gets loose so the tabs don't turn with the barrel. If they hang down the door won't open. I changed all compartment locks and used locktite on the screws, the locks that come standard on most trailers are junk and the same key is used on most units.You may have to remove the hinge to open the compartment door.

[gbpacker]

Before removing and or replacing the latches I would try a simpler approach. As another poster commented, I would spray the lock with silicone lubricant and work the lock mechanism to get the lubricant worked through the lock.

[NMWildcat]

I have found that my slam latches need frequent lubricating. And the only lubricant that seems to work w/o causing other problems is dry lube, like for your slides. And don't just spray the catch tab and striker plate. Open the door and spray the inside of the spring mechanism through the visible slots.
I had to take my slam latches apart and clean out all the thick lubricant they came with. It would get stiff when cold and prevent it from operating correctly.
As far as not unlocking, either your lock is malfunctioning, or it is in a bind.

[The Newsoms]

We just had this problem with one of ours and used a Flathead screw driver behind the latch to kind of push it up. There was no other way to do it. When it came open the the latch mechanism fell out on the ground. Still haven’t tried to fix it. Don’t want to replace it because we have full body paint and they are painted.

[Janet Geal]

Another thing to think about is the humidity if you live in the southern states. My entry door gets stuck sometimes when the humidity is high, even sometimes when its low on my doors and storage compartments. Just spray some dry lube like you did, or reg WD40. And sometimes you do have to use a little man-power to push the storage compartment door in a bit so the latch can catch. They are all finicky. Happy Camping.