Main Entry Door Hard to Open, 2019 MHC 331RL

[John McLean]

We have a 2091 MHC 331 RL that has been on the same site since April 2019 when we had it delivered. Just this week the one and only entry door became really hard to open and close. It seems to be binding/dragging at the threshold on the jamb side. Anyone else have this to happen to them? What is causing it and how can I correct this annoying issue?

John

[Walt & Vicki]

Make sure the adjustable legs on the bottom of your steps are not set-up in to high of a position. The legs have pins that can be removed, and the legs moved up or down. The top of the steps should sit almost, if not directly, on the threshold with no gap between the two. Good luck.

[jimcol]

My guess is your rig has probably settled a little. Relevel the rig and you problem may go away.

[John McLean]

Forgot to say that We took the steps out and have constructed wooden steps from our wooden platform, so there are no interferences from any steps.

[John McLean]

That’s what I was thinking might have happened.

[John McLean]

Took these steps off. They are not the problem, but good point.

[John McLean]

Checked the tire pressure. All four were at 70 psi. Added air to get them each to 80 psi. Some improvement. What about re-leveling camper? Will remove the tripod supporting the kingpin. Is it necessary to bring the slides in? We have four-point auto leveling, the landing gear in the front and one Jack on each side behind the rear wheel.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by John McLean

Checked the tire pressure. All four were at 70 psi. Added air to get them each to 80 psi. Some improvement. What about re-leveling camper? Will remove the tripod supporting the kingpin. Is it necessary to bring the slides in? We have four-point auto leveling, the landing gear in the front and one Jack on each side behind the rear wheel.

I agree that the unit has settled. Get a 4 foot level and check for level on the floor in the center of the trailer in both directions. I would not worry about the slides being out. Use the leveling system to get it level in both directions. After you get it level attach a Hopkins graduated level to the side and front so you can tell in the future if it becomes unlevel again.

Remove the tripod and sell it. They do virtually nothing and could cause an issue if the trailer settles with it in place. If you want to stop the trailer movement, get some JT strong arms. They work great at steading the trailer. Check to make shur they will work with your leveling system.

[John McLean]

Thanks Beene. Plan on keeping the tripod. Don’t see why I should get rid of it. Our FW is on a ‘permanent’ site in a campground and we do not plan to begin traveling with it in another year. So, using the auto leveling can be done wit or without the slides pulled in. Already checked for level using a two-foot level. And decided to check tire pressure first. Thanks for your assistance.

[Montana Man]

Last week our trailer settled. Some no doubt due to the rock base it sat on, and some since it has 6 point hydraulic levelers. We used that tripod on our last trailer for extended stays. They are great for stabilization but a hassle for shorter stays. If your door is dragging I would be looking for flexing moreso than just out of level.

[John McLean]

We have been on the same site since April of 2019, i.e. where is the flex coming from? We ARE not towing.

[beeje]

Do you have something solid under your jack pads or they resting right on the ground.?

[Montana Man]

An uneven settling. Or if you have hydraulic levelers, an internally (or external) seeping cylinder.

[John McLean]

beeje,

We have solid concrete blocks under each jack pad and pretty firm ground under that. Blocks are at least 4” thick.

[beeje]

The only thing that makes any sense is your leveling system is letting go somewhere. If I had a unit that was going to sit for a very long time I would Jack it way up and use cinder blocks or something under the frame to support it completely. Allowing the Jacks / axles and tires to bear no weight. Kind of like a mobile home would be sitting

Would be easy to do an undo with your level up

[The McCoys]

We have a 2019 MHC 330RL with the exact same problem. Apparently this is a common issue. I’m going to try to get some lubrication in the hinges and hope that fixes it. If you, or anyone else figures this out, it would be very appreciated.

[sourdough]

OP, did you get the door issue resolved?

I have the same trailer but a 2020. Rereading some of the posts it occurred to me that I had a little bit of that issue with mine but nothing I worried about. We spent 3 months in FL arriving back here on 8/4. It did seem that the door would at times be a little harder to open than others. I put it off on the near constant rain and humidity that covered the trailer every day and possible a bit of corrosion building up in the hinges. I haven't been able to look it over yet but do see evidence of slight rust on the steps. Has your just been sitting and getting wet weather or something along that line? Maybe it's affected the hinges a bit.

[beeje]

I'm assuming you all are talking about the newer friction hinges correct

[sourdough]

Mine is yes.

[beeje]

Something to do with the weather must affect them cuz my buddies camper does the same thing at times