Outdoor kitchen door coming open while towing

[NewJammer]

Yikes! Our outdoor kitchen door pooped open several times while towing home today. Yes, it was locked, and yes, I checked it very well when latching it. But apparently the vibrations while towing caused it to shake open. Anyone have any suggestions???

[ptylerp]

What type/model do you have? What kind of latches are on the door? I have a Sierra 378 FB and had concerns with the locking mechanisms. Dealer welded an extension on the lock plate to secure a better lock.

I'm considering installing slam latches in the near future.

[NewJammer]

2016 Windjammer 3006WK. Latches are the same as on all the storage doors on the trailer.

[ptylerp]

As I said the dealer welded an extension on the lock mechanism (90 degree turn latch) so that it would firmly engage the metal plate behind the seal. My door has not come open but I was concerned until they made the modification.

In the future I will either find longer latch plate or install two slam latches on the door.

[rockfordroo]

If your locks have tabs like the 2 shown here, they come in different lengths. You may need to find longer ones. (And buying them by themselves is probably a PITA, too. You may need to buy the whole lock.)

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

If your locks have tabs like the 2 shown here, they come in different lengths. You may need to find longer ones. (And buying them by themselves is probably a PITA, too. You may need to buy the whole lock.)

I would check with an RV dealer for longer tab,,, or maybe even a place that sells Truck Bed Shells ???

[gectisme]

Originally Posted by NewJammer

2016 Windjammer 3006WK. Latches are the same as on all the storage doors on the trailer.

I believe they are called Slam Latches and we have 2 of them on the Outside Kitchen. On our first trip out, the door opened during the tow. I am not sure if I didn't close it all the way but I do know it wasn't locked. After that, I have a routine where I close it, pull a little to make sure it is closed and then lock it and pull hard to make sure it closed. It has not opened up since, ~4000 miles on the road and some of those roads were very bumpy... Having written that, when I look at where the latch goes in, it seems to be mounted just so it catches, they could have done a better job mounting the catches for the latch. I wonder if yours are mounted even worse... Since I have have not had any more issues I am leaving it alone for now but if it seems to get looser I will have to figure something out or wait for you to tell us what you came up with.

[NewJammer]

Still struggling with this. Installed flip door locks today - made it home (76 miles) with it flying completely open only once. Spent the entire drive staring at the door in the side mirror. Dreading the trip Friday when we will drive 3 hours...