Keep Entry Door Open When Awning Out

[just4u_cara]

Originally Posted by Feel Swift

Rockwood's solution was to have a hydraulic shock on the door that would only allow it to open to a 90 degree angle. That was the first ting I removed and another fine example of RV design. The bungee works.

Our 2005 Fleetwood Orbit had that hydraulic shock and that same too-close awning support bar. The shock lasted only a couple days before we took it off. We'd rather use the bungee cord method. And with the door locked at 90 degrees, it was just too awkward navigating the steps in/out with the D shaped assist handle. (perhaps if one was more graceful?)

[Feel Swift]

Originally Posted by Mike223

Looks like it is a Wildwood problem.
Mike

Not really. His Roo 23 BDS has the entry door close to the rear awning arms but the door is hinged opposite the awning arm. There are however Roo models such as the 21SS, 183, 23IKSS, 24Ws that have the same condition as your Wildwood. And there are lots of brands / models out there that have the same condition.



Its more of a design necessity than a problem, and its driven by the floorplan. It looks to me that on your Wildwood, if the door was hinged opposite it would block the window over the sink if opened 180*.

[tomingram]

On my wildwood when awning is out I find I can pull the arm down on awning and catch the edge of the door seems to work good

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

I don’t know if I would call it a flaw, my Coachmen is the same, my door will only open 90 degrees. There are lot and lots of RV with the same design. Even with the awning in mine will still only open 90 degrees

This is what holds my door, works very well in holding the door open in the wind also, you can buy the shock at NAPA you can see how close to my door is to the awning arm

[SeaDog]

If you are replacing the gas cylinder or installing new be careful of the pressure the cylinder of the unit. From the factory most doors have a 15psi cylinder charge.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

This is what holds my door, works very well in holding the door open in the wind also, you can buy the shock at NAPAAttachment 218075Attachment 218076 you can see how close to my door is to the awning arm

The OP stated in post #10 they had removed the factory installed pneumatic rod. My unit has that system and it works fine. I don’t understand the reasons for wanting the door open more than 90 degrees. Most s&b homes have “storm” doors that only open 90 degrees.

My support rod can be disconnected in about two seconds but I only do that to widen the outdoor TV viewing angle. When it’s open in the 180 degree position it’s held there with a small bungee cord.

[SeaDog]

My rig has two doors I removed the rear gas cylinder so that the door will open and stay latched to a 4" door holder wind has less effect with the door open that far. my front needs to stay at the 90* position because if open all the way will block the frig vent.

[deartruc]

As I saw earlier,yes the roo 23ikss has the shock. Which has worked well for me for the past 5 years. Though, I did have to move it to prevent it from swinging into the awning arm.

[Technorick]

On my FR 3 motorhome the wind would jog the door putting unnecessary tension on the already cheap hinges and small door frame mounting screws. On these models a common problem is the screws back out and strip causing to mis alignment and other issues.

The standard flip up T door holder would not work because of the obstruction of the awning down bar location.

So using common parts from Home Depot I made an aluminum bar with push pins. It holds the door open tight and does not hit the awning bar when extended.

We shouldn’t have to make these Mcgyver fixes but as previously mentioned the design engineers who layout these campers must never have to take them into the real world.

Note. Pics are sideways.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

The OP stated in post #10 they had removed the factory installed pneumatic rod. My unit has that system and it works fine. I don’t understand the reasons for wanting the door open more than 90 degrees. Most s&b homes have “storm” doors that only open 90 degrees.

My support rod can be disconnected in about two seconds but I only do that to widen the outdoor TV viewing angle. When it’s open in the 180 degree position it’s held there with a small bungee cord.

the OP never stated that, post 10 is from member who removed his, did I miss something here? Are you sure about that?

[OldGoldwing]

The factory could solve this problem very easily by simply putting the hinges on the other side of the door so it will open from front to back...

[SeaDog]

I doubt they would do something like the because of the chance of the door opening in motion and staying open. The way it is now if it comes unlatched the wind would hold it somewhat closed. JMHO

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

I doubt they would do something like the because of the chance of the door opening in motion and staying open. The way it is now if it comes unlatched the wind would hold it somewhat closed. JMHO

. Very good point, and second if they did do that on my RV it would block my big counter window, it’s bad enough now that there are so few windows for light and viewing, I guess they could also shorten the awning, but then your doorway wouldn’t be protected from the elements.

[Mike223]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

This is what holds my door, works very well in holding the door open in the wind also, you can buy the shock at NAPAAttachment 218075Attachment 218076 you can see how close to my door is to the awning arm

Looks like it is in the middle of your door/steps?
Mike

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Mike223

Looks like it is in the middle of your door/steps?
Mike

no it’s about 3” in from the right door jam , not even being close to the middle the bolt on the thread is about 1” from the rear of the thread, no possible way to trip or even step on it, I guess it’s an optical allusion.

[Mike223]

Yep guess so. Optical allusion.
Mike