Boler door swinging open!

[travel_buzz]

We've just returned from an epic journey from Winnipeg to Cape Cod and back. It was awesome!

Our Li'l Boler seems to have a sense of humour. The door would spontaneously swing open in the most dangerous and inconvenient times. A few examples: On ramp to Pont Mercier in Montreal Rush Hour! Ramp onto spaghetti overpass near Boston harbour! Highway exiting Minneapolis! And of course, the Fargo mall parking lot (easier to deal with this one)! There were a few other times as well, but not nearly as harrowing as the big city bridge ramps.

Any ideas on how to solve this problem. Two other owners have told me they have the same issue.

Thanks!

[Ron in BC]

Two possibilities come to mind. One is the obvious, the latch bolt isn't fitting all the way into the striker plate. But I'm sure that you would have already examined the actual latch and determined that it fully extends into the striker plate.

The second possibility is a structural issue. Some owners have had problems with delamination of the body shell from the floor assembly in the lower right area. It could be a matter of some weakness in this area that allows the door to move a bit when the frame is under stress and disengage from the latch plate. One way, aside from a visual inspection of the area, would be to jack up the frame under the door and observe if there is any movement of the door and the latch.

Ron

[travel_buzz]

Thanks Ron,

As far as I can tell, the latch is hitting the striker plate but only on the bottom third of the plate, not in dead centre. It looks like previous owners have already changed the hinge location to help with the door sagging. I'm assuming this is the issue.

Since the door tended to open on overpass ramps, it is likely flexing and jolting in a such a way to kick the latch off. I hope it's not a more serious structural issue. We have very little spider cracking, so I'm hopeful!

Thanks,
Rosie

[Donna D.]

Rosie, until you get it figured out and don't want damage to the door, etc. some have run a long bungy from the inside door handle to something on the otherside of the trailer (solid) like a cabinet support. You only need it to be tight enough to get your hand/arm out of the door area before it slams shut. And of course, so you can get your hand/arm back in there to unhook it. Protect the door!

[Ann B]

We have had this problem too...so we drilled a small hole on either side of the door in the belly band, got a price of bamboo pole drilled corresponding holes then when on the road we add pins( Cotter?) snap in place....door stays closed

And yes the door sags we have replaced the balls in he hinges helped some but not enough to keep the door closed on bumpy roads!!!

[travel_buzz]

Originally Posted by Ann B

We have had this problem too...so we drilled a small hole on either side of the door in the belly band, got a price of bamboo pole drilled corresponding holes then when on the road we add pins( Cotter?) snap in place....door stays closed

And yes the door sags we have replaced the balls in he hinges helped some but not enough to keep the door closed on bumpy roads!!!

Ann, do you have a photo? I'm having a bit of trouble picturing the bamboo pole. Thanks!

Donna, we'll try the bungee solution for the short term! Thanks!

Rosie

[Ann B]

Here you go not very good quality it's 630am

[Alf S.]

Hi: All... Once the bounce and flex has left the rub-r-ride axle solid... things tend to get thrown around in the trailer. The jarring will cause the door to open too!!!
Could be time to change out the axle for a softer ride.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[travel_buzz]

Hmm, I like the cost of the bungee cord or bamboo vs that of a new axle (I have no idea if ours is original to the trailer)! Thanks for all the tips!