Door issues why no recall?

[KUpup]

We just got a single owner 2017 Wolf Pup this spring and have been using it with no troubles up until recently. We noticed our main door is now terribly difficult to shut. We are 100% level (quadruple checked) on concrete and only have the slide out step up, but it seems to be getting worse every time we open it. After researching what we can do (adjust friction hinges?), I found a bunch of threads in different places about the cheap and/or improperly assembled white/tan doors with black trim needing to be replaced. Does anyone know why this wasn't recalled? And more importantly since we didn't buy brand new from a dealer, is there anything I can do other than paying our deductible and using my insurance once it does completely buckle/stop shutting? From what I read we have very little time between it starting to stick to completely coming apart and I'm worried about mice with it not shutting properly now. Help!

[joshuajim]

No recall because it is not a life safety issue. Did you expect the manufacturer to have a “lifetime” warranty?

[KUpup]

No, but having to replace major things after proper use in less than 5 years is unacceptable. Won't be buying another one after this and everything I've read and sure wouldn't waste my money buying brand new. Sounds like a good way to ruin vacation reservations.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by KUpup

No, but having to replace major things after proper use in less than 5 years is unacceptable. Won't be buying another one after this and everything I've read and sure as hell wouldn't waste my money buying brand new. Sounds like a good way to ruin vacation reservations.

Your expectations of the RV Industry are misplaced. Apparently you haven't read the thousands of threads on every RV forum out there, about the state of the RV Industry.
Did you do any research before purchasing your RV?

[D W]

Originally Posted by KUpup

No, but having to replace major things after proper use in less than 5 years is unacceptable. Won't be buying another one after this and everything I've read and sure as hell wouldn't waste my money buying brand new. Sounds like a good way to ruin vacation reservations.

Problem is, you can't account for the previous owner. At 5 years things go wrong. Most of us have had that experience. No warranty, no recall, so we just bite bullet and get after it. By the way, as your rig is approaching the 5 year mark, have you checked the caulking/seals, the age of the tires, brakes and bearings? Like it or not, owning an RV is labor intensive.

Just sayin'

[ependydad]

KUpup, you say that you've leveled the rig, but can I ask what method you used?

As for getting it fixed under insurance, they'll likely tell you to pound sand. An extended warranty would be the one to fix this.

As for recalls, they're generally instigated by NHTSA based on reports from end consumers. I think more RVers need to be submitted more things to them. But even still- something like this doesn't necessarily present a safety issue unless the door is opening while traveling down the road.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by KUpup

No, but having to replace major things after proper use in less than 5 years is unacceptable. Won't be buying another one after this and everything I've read and sure as hell wouldn't waste my money buying brand new. Sounds like a good way to ruin vacation reservations.

I'm fairly sure you are speaking out of anger and frustration and once you get past this minor problem you will feel differently. I believe every RV owner has felt this way at one point or another.
A previous question was how you leveled the RV. Sometimes even though you think it is perfect, the frame is tweaked just enough to cause problems with doors and windows fitting correctly. Try removing all stabilizers, let it just sit on the tires, and try it again to see if it changes.
If it really is a bad door problem and you can't see a way to fix it, take it to an independent RV service shop and get advice from them. Chances are they will have seen it before.

[D W]

Two simple tools to help solve your problem:

[TowPro]

I think this is a single axle trailer. is the door hard to open when its attached to the car, sitting level left to right (not on blocks) and all jacks in the up position?

[CedarCreekWoody]

Is this a friction close door, one that uses friction to hold it open? If so spray the hinges with silicon lube or even wd-40. I have to do this every couple of months or it gets difficult to close.

[rfifer]

Check the height and angle of your entry steps. Where they attach to the floor inside the is a threshold plate. If the steps are adjusted where they are just a little too high, that hinge plate will partially block the door and make it hard to close. We had the same problem until I discovered that if I raise the feet on the steps one notch (as in lower the entry steps), the problem disappeared.

[campers302]

Following

[Cheeselog77]

Originally Posted by KUpup

No, but having to replace major things after proper use in less than 5 years is unacceptable. Won't be buying another one after this and everything I've read and sure as hell wouldn't waste my money buying brand new. Sounds like a good way to ruin vacation reservations.

I just bought a 2019 wildcat max and the entryway door had friction hinges which I didn’t like. I replaced them with LCI replacement hinges and added a door hold open. It’s nice to have a easy opening door. Cost of parts less than 80 bucks and free labor.

[Cowracer]

Hold the latch open and try to shut the door. If it shuts easy(ier) then lube the latch wedge. Mine can get fussy after a year with no lube, a quick shot of silicone or white lithium makes all the difference in the world.

Tim

[Blackrock]

If you have leveled your rig by 'Jacking' it level with the stabilizers you may have the frame in a bind. Side to side leveling is done by blocking and chocking the wheels. Fore and aft leveling is done with the tongue jack. After achieving that then you lower the "Stabilizers" to stabilize your setup without getting it out of level.

[Villagerjjm]

I have found that if my stabilizer jacks are out of adjustment, it has an effect on how the doors operate. I have learned that you must get your trailer as close to being absolute level In All Directions by taking readings from a level placed directly in front of the refrigerator.
Once that is done, I will turn each stabilizer jack equally. That will usually solve the problem with the doors.

[yukongold]

Originally Posted by KUpup

Won't be buying another one after this and everything I've read and sure as hell wouldn't waste my money buying brand new.

Okay, I'll be the snarky one. It doesn't sound like you are suited to the RV life. Sell it and move on. I'm sure you'll be happier.

[D W]

No response from the OP. Me thinks this was just a "vent".

[TowPro]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

Hold the latch open and try to shut the door. If it shuts easy(ier) then lube the latch wedge. Mine can get fussy after a year with no lube, a quick shot of silicone or white lithium makes all the difference in the world.

Tim

I used to lube the latch with a bar of soap. most other stuff will get on your closes as you enter the door. Problem with soap is you have to use it often.

[Germanrazor]

Originally Posted by KUpup

No, but having to replace major things after proper use in less than 5 years is unacceptable. Won't be buying another one after this and everything I've read and sure as hell wouldn't waste my money buying brand new. Sounds like a good way to ruin vacation reservations.

Not sure then to ever buy anything RV again then. I am not being a SA here but remember, these things are traveling mobile homes on frames that go down the road absorbing constant bumps. They can get torqued sometimes and do this. RV ownership like one said is an almost constant fixing little things always. I think RV Owners are masochist in a way….LOL

As to the leveling, you can sometimes have it level but if you crank down on the stabilizer jacks on a corner too much, it can throw the trailer out of tune as I say. Case in point, I did this on the back left after getting back from a camp out. The bathroom door would not close/latch to save my life. I finally walked around the TT then took some pressure off the stabilizer and voila, the door shut. The stabilizer jacks once they make ground contact only need a 1/4 to 1/2 turn more at best.

Good luck and remember, folks here are just trying to help and put things in perspective.