Door sticks!!

[HoosierDaddy]

Something that I've noticed on both of my Newells. If the coach sets with direct sunlight on it's side the door will bind when you attempt to open it. Just a shot of cold water on the siding and it shrinks enough to return to normal. Has anybody else noticed this ?
Is there an adjustment on the door that will alleviate the problem?

[fulltiming]

Early 90's model Newell's do that due to expansion of the aluminum. Tom talked to Newell, then took a metal file and carefully filed down the door edge in those areas where the paint was rubbing. The aluminum is soft so go easy. Tom, repainted the edge and tried again to find out if it still needed more filing in certain areas. I saw the finished results and he did a great job with nothing other than a metal file and touch-up paint.

[Richard and Rhonda]

Mine does that too. I take it as a sign that it's too hot to go outside. Seriously, it has never bound to the point of being a problem, but it will stick from time to time.

[zcasa]

Ours sticks as well, 1992 Newell and we are painted black. Door has never stuck to where we couldn't get out and we have been in more than 100 degree heat facing the sun, on the door side. But, I liked Tom's approach and may well consider doing that, too. Just don't know if I can be as crafty and have the finishing touch that Michael described that Tom was able to do.

Safe travels.

[encantotom]

i dont know how crafty i am, but it was very easy. for me, i was afraid of being trapped inside on a hot sunny morning. i have the paint codes for all three colors on my coach so i just went to the automotive paint store and had pints made up of all 3 and some put in a spray can of each as well. it is not perfect, but looks ok.

later

tom

[Mikeh]

This problem is not limited to 90 models. We have a 2009 model and our door opens slower when the weather is hot. Not a problem but you can tell that it is tighter during the day. When the sun goes down it works normal. Mike Haddox

[fulltiming]

One of the facts of life is that aluminum has a higher coefficient of expansion than fiberglass. However, I will take an aluminum coach any day over a plastic coach.

[Mikeh]

Me Too!!!!!

[jdaniel]

My 1991 (coach 297) is mostly black and does the same thing. I can't get it to close flush either. To lock it I have to be turning the key and bumping the door closed with my shoulder.

[chockwald]

No problem with the door opening, or closing in hot weather on my Classic. No problme in Zion Nat'l Park in June at 106 degrees. I've noticed none of the Classic owners commenting on this issue. Is there a structural difference in the construction of the Classic doors compared to the 90's coaches, and newer?

[encantotom]

a couple of things. for those with the vintage like mine, the early 1990's, the filing of the door and repainting fixes the problem. i know it sounds devastating to be filing the door down, but just do it slowly and repeatedly until the door doesnt stick. i did it over a week period or so, using touchup paint each time on the edge to be able to see where it was scraping off when the expansion was the most in full sun in the morning.

my door has foam weather stripping around it as well. i replaced it and it is a little thicker which makes my door and locking a little harder than it was. so if you have to push your door with your shoulder and it isnt from touching metal on the door and the frame, then check your weatherstripping as well.

later

tom

[HoosierDaddy]

No problem with the door opening, or closing in hot weather on my Classic. No problme in Zion Nat'l Park in June at 106 degrees. I've noticed none of the Classic owners commenting on this issue. Is there a structural difference in the construction of the Classic doors compared to the 90's coaches, and newer?

My '78 Classic and 1993 both stick. Direct sunlight on the side seems to be what causes it. I'm thinking that a full length awning would minimize the problem.

[fulltiming]

The direct sunlight is the problem. If me awning is out, no problem. If the sun is shinning directly on the door, it sticks.

Clarke, did you notice any significant difference in my outside door and yours when we visited?

[jdaniel]

I think my hinge may be sagging. I have to absolutely slam mine to get it to close flush. When I do the top half of the door is rubbing but the bottom is not.

[fulltiming]

Mine is closer just above the middle of the door but I would not doubt that some hinge sag has occurred in the last 17 years. The file approach that Tom used should solve your problem.

[encantotom]

the problem with continual slamming is it will bend the metal at some point and it will be yukky then.

i dont think i have any sag on my door though. mine was only touching in the center from heat expansion.

tom

[chockwald]

Hi Mike....no, both doors seemed the same to me. I was thinking that maybe I've always had the awning deployed when it was hot, so maybe that's why it doesn't stick. However, I don't store it with the awning deployed, and I've been to the storage yard several times this summer in the heat of the day with the sun directly on the door, and it hasn't stuck, or even seemed tight. Perhaps the original owner dealt with this issue in the first 22 years he owned the coach? Although, a cursory review of the inherited repair invoices shows no work done in this area.

[fulltiming]

Thanks Clarke. Guess that we need to get our coaches together this winter and take a look.

[jdaniel]

Mine also touches the most just above halfway up. Problem is (and I did file it some) mine is overlapping over 1/8 inch. There's no way to file that much.

[fulltiming]

While 1/8" is a significant overlap, I don't see any reason you could not slowly file it down to give clearance. The risks associated with not filing it down is probably greater than the risks associated with filing it down. Just take it slow and easy.

[jdaniel]

Took the file to it again this weekend while at the races and now it's working fine. I have it parked in the son right now and I'm going to check it again in a little while before I put it up. It took some filing but not as much as I feared.

[fulltiming]

Good job. I have used the file on my coach door also. I also will have to wait until the door is in the sun to verify that I have removed enough metal as the way I typically park the coach has it somewhat protected from the sun on the passenger's side.

[jdaniel]

Had to file some more after leaving in the sun. Maybe a couple more times and I'll have it.

[fulltiming]

It does take several tries to get the clearance you need. Just work slowly and you will resolve the problem.