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Old 03-17-2018, 04:26 PM   #1
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THOR #7863
Challenger Propane Access Door Pops Open

I have a 2017 Challenger 37LX. We went camping this week, and the campground has a steep driveway followed by the most brutal speed bumps I’ve ever seen.

As I was pulling up to the spot where the CG wants you to park for checkin, the couple who just got out of the RV in front of us started waving. They pointed out one of my basement doors was open.

Turns out it was the propane tank access door. It had come open and smacked into a tree, causing slight damage to the door.

Upon leaving a few days later, I checked and double checked all cargo doors, especially that one. When we arrived at our first stop to get breakfast about 30 miles away, again some folks were frantically waving at me. I checked the mirror and sure enough, same door was open again. There were no speed bumps or steep angles there, and I had watched my mirrors closely as I left the CH.

Anyone have a similar issue? I routinely lock all cargo doors before driving, but the propane access door is designed with no lock.

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Old 03-17-2018, 11:54 PM   #2
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Sounds like your sliding latch is sticking. With the door open, watch the sliding latch , and work the handle several times. It may be just coming out far enough to latch a little, until you move and then the door pops open,. If its sticking, take it apart and lube it, and maybe the pivot screw is a little tight.
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Old 03-18-2018, 12:38 AM   #3
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Thanks sroyer, I will look at that!
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Old 03-18-2018, 01:01 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sroyer View Post
Sounds like your sliding latch is sticking. With the door open, watch the sliding latch , and work the handle several times. It may be just coming out far enough to latch a little, until you move and then the door pops open,. If its sticking, take it apart and lube it, and maybe the pivot screw is a little tight.
The latch appears to come out all the way, with no hang ups or sticking. The hasp it connects with appears to be as close to the edge as it can be, however it is at a slight angle. I’m going to tweak it some and see what happens.

With the door closed fully, I can give it a firm push and hear a slight click (which I did before leaving the campground). I tried pushing and bouncing the door, and can’t make it pop open.
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Old 03-18-2018, 02:51 PM   #5
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We have not had an issue with our propane access door opening but it appears the catch, like yours, is slightly angled, as are some others that I checked. Seems like it's supposed to be that way. One more thing to check on periodically when travelling. Sorry for your damage.
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Old 03-18-2018, 03:35 PM   #6
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Thanks. I also noticed several others are angled, not sure why. I plan to experiment with it today or tomorrow to see what I can see. Since I can’t seem to manually “bounce” it open, though, I’m not sure if I’ll know if I’m helping or making it worse!
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Old 03-18-2018, 03:57 PM   #7
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Its most likely popping open when the mh is flexed by driving on uneven roads, turns or driveways. Thats why you cant recreate it by pushing on it. I think youre on the right track by adjusting the locking mechanism. Take away the angle. If that doesnt work you may be forced to add an outside lock.

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Old 03-18-2018, 04:43 PM   #8
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I was wondering about options for an outside lock. I don’t want to circumvent the safety aspect of not having that bay locked, but something with a simple latch that can be opened by hand while keeping the door closed would be great. Have tried Google but no luck so far.
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Old 03-18-2018, 05:04 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ View Post
I was wondering about options for an outside lock. I don’t want to circumvent the safety aspect of not having that bay locked, but something with a simple latch that can be opened by hand while keeping the door closed would be great. Have tried Google but no luck so far.
By law i believe it can not be locked but something like this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0747...rch&th=1&psc=1

Or as simple as this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XS...ords=door+hasp

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000...tXL&ref=plSrch

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Old 03-18-2018, 05:15 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ View Post
I was wondering about options for an outside lock. I don’t want to circumvent the safety aspect of not having that bay locked, but something with a simple latch that can be opened by hand while keeping the door closed would be great. Have tried Google but no luck so far.
I was thinking the same thing. As long as it doesn't lock: you should be good to go with it.
But it sure seems to be a rather inelegant cure... I hope that you can get the orginal latch adjusted and operating correctly.
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Old 03-18-2018, 05:37 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ View Post
I was wondering about options for an outside lock. I don’t want to circumvent the safety aspect of not having that bay locked, but something with a simple latch that can be opened by hand while keeping the door closed would be great. Have tried Google but no luck so far.
Mike the latch on the door can also be replaced. Might be able to find the same type but with a longer latch assembly

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Old 03-18-2018, 05:41 PM   #12
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I’m not especially handy, but maybe I can figure out how to make something like this work.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44323-T...o+door+latches
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Old 03-18-2018, 05:44 PM   #13
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Since it doesn't lock:
Good Luck! Please let us know how all of this works out!
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Old 03-18-2018, 05:46 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ View Post
I’m not especially handy, but maybe I can figure out how to make something like this work.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44323-T...o+door+latches
Thats what i was referring to about extending the latch on the current one.

Can you post a pic of whats on the door now. That might help.

The lock you just posted is what i thought you had on tbe door. Thats whats on my door

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Old 03-18-2018, 05:57 PM   #15
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Pics show the latch setup without key, which is on the propane door; the inside showing the actual hasp; the hook it attaches to, slightly at an angle; and a pic of one of the locking bay handles.
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Old 03-18-2018, 06:13 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by halfprice View Post
Thats what i was referring to about extending the latch on the current one.
Can you post a pic of whats on the door now. That might help.The lock you just posted is what i thought you had on tbe door. Thats whats on my door
Jerry
Pics posted.

Jerry, could you please post a pics of your lock? Especially of the inside where it latches?
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Old 03-18-2018, 06:19 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ View Post
Pics posted.

Jerry, could you please post a pics of your lock? Especially of the inside where it latches?
Its the lock you postedClick image for larger version

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Old 03-18-2018, 06:20 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ View Post
Pics posted.

Jerry, could you please post a pics of your lock? Especially of the inside where it latches?
The metal tab just turns and locks behind the wall
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Old 03-18-2018, 06:29 PM   #19
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I would tend to think you have a flexing problem, which pops the door open. I had the reverse issue with my former 41 foot DP, if I was parked, or leveled on uneven ground, the frame would flex, and there were cargo doors that would not open. In your case, see if you can find a different latch that will not allow the door to pop open.
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Old 03-18-2018, 06:35 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ View Post
Pics show the latch setup without key, which is on the propane door; the inside showing the actual hasp; the hook it attaches to, slightly at an angle; and a pic of one of the locking bay handles.
Mike,
I would play with the bracket the lock hooks into. Adjust the bracket most likely pushing it away from the edge going toward the hinge

That should cause the hook/lock mechanism to engage more

It way also make you hold tge lock handle open to close it but tgats easy enough to do

Jerry
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