Stepper door

[John McNamara]

The stepper door on our 1996 Coleman Key West popped open during a trip. We discovered it after driving about 80 miles. Apparently, it bounced around pretty good and bent some stuff under there. How hard is it to take one of these puppies off and make repairs. Or, are repairs even possible? The door closes, but only with a lot of effort -- pick it up and force it to the right to get the latch secure.

Thanks.

John

[austinado16]

Can't help you on the "taking things apart" bit, but sometimes on hinges that have been over rotated and bent, you can put a block of wood in between the hinge and the body, and then begine to close the door against the block of wood.  As you do this, you wind up pulling the hinges back into their normal position, as well as pulling whatever part of the body the hinge bases may have bent, back into shape.

This works well on car and truck doors that have been over swung, and depending on how your assembly is damaged, may work for you.

First thing to do is get under the camper door and inspect the hinges and where they mount, so as to better understand how they are damaged.  From there, you may be able to visualize how to fix it with minimal tear down of the door.

[PM3579]

Austinado16 makes some real good points, get under and examine it. My door is on a piano hinge,not sure if it's spot welded or riveted.With being able to tork it into position you might be able to spring it back. Chock your wheels, put your tv beside the pu and use a rachet binder strap around the door,with a block of wood between the strap and door,and the other end on the hitch of the tv. You may have to block the door in a place or two to keep it in position. You might even need a second strap in another direction to keep things in place. Tighten up the strap past where it is true with the compartment, tap on the stress point with a rubber mallet, then release the strap .You may have to do this a few times. You are basicly putting into practice what an auto body  repairman does to a car on a frame rack. Just some thoughts from a practicing McGiever. :usflag:

[wavery]

PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We want PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :sombraro: