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Old 05-08-2014, 11:55 AM   #1
Captain Joe
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Friction Hinge - RV Entry Door

My 2013 has a old fashion entry door that requires the latch to hold the door open. Come to find out from J and C that the 2014 models have a friction hinge. I am assuming that this is the hinge:

http://store.lci1.com/hinge-assembly...tion-p903.aspx

Has anyone changed out their hinge with one of these? Is this the right hinge? Is it an easy replacement?

Thanks in advance......
 
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Old 05-08-2014, 11:58 AM   #2
WaltBennett
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Might check this thread out first: http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10533
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Old 05-08-2014, 02:27 PM   #3
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by WaltBennett

Might check this thread out first: http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10533
Yeah, yet another "improvement" that you never knew you needed, just like the gas struts that yank the screws right out of the door or bend the hinges. Those didn't last long in production. I could never figure why anyone would like their door fitted with a gas strut in the first place.

You can figure there will be many warranty issues with the friction hinges coming, and being just one more owner headache when they seize up and delaminate the edge of the door or spring the hinges out of alignment

I'll stick with my regular hinges and the flip-up door holder, thank you very much! Simple, and it works, .......every time.
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Old 05-08-2014, 02:31 PM   #4
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Captain Joe

My 2013 has a old fashion entry door that requires the latch to hold the door open.
Don't you know that it is not PC to say that anymore?!

You have to call it the "time honored, traditional method" now.
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Old 05-08-2014, 03:06 PM   #5
DQDick
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Based on what some members have experienced so far, I've decided to wait until at least after the fall rally before even considering this mod. I want to find out for sure how many problems are out there, what the fix is, and what hinge they're using on the new prototypes.
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Old 05-08-2014, 04:11 PM   #6
WeBeFulltime
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Call me "old fashioned"...I like what I already have. Newer is not always better!
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Old 05-08-2014, 04:24 PM   #7
dieselguy
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As for the gas strut observation ... if you get the right strength strut (available from dealer for free) and remove your rain cap from the door frame and make an aluminum spacer however thick need be to fill in behind the rain cap and strut mount so you can tighten the screws down with out crushing the rain cap ... you won't have issue with the strut. Some of us cannot fully open the door against the side of the fiver without hitting the cargo door. It's worked for me for going on 3 years now. OK back to friction hinge conversation ...
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Old 05-09-2014, 04:10 AM   #8
capn chris
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Friiction hinge on ours is noisy/squeaky and won't keep the door open ina 15 mph breeze. Added a traditional door latch to keep it open. Not one of their better udeas. IMHO.
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Old 05-09-2014, 04:45 AM   #9
hunts800
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Only spent 3 weeks on the road so far, but did experience some high winds at the beach, and ours worked well. Time will tell.
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Old 05-09-2014, 04:49 AM   #10
HOOK
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I am not so happy with my friction hinge, the wind does move it around. I'm considering the old type hold back for windy days. It's very nice on routine days but when the wind picks up it does move. The holdback would be a good option to have on those days.
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Old 05-09-2014, 05:10 AM   #11
JandC
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We have had our stiff hinge for a little over 3 months. I read the posts on the Keystone forum and those contributors are partially correct. When we took delivery we had to slam our door so it would latch. At first I thought it was the new hinge but it actually was the latch. I simply adjusted it and the door closes and latches as easy or easier than our old 3400RL now. Our hinge will keep the door open in winds up to 30mph, depending on what direction. With gusts over that it may start to push it closed but because of the stiff hinge it at least won't "slam" it closed all the way. But to be honest we don't usually keep our door open when winds are gusting over 30 or 40 mph anyway. Another benefit of the stiff hinge is when you are inside and the door is open (screen closed) and you decide you want to close up, there is no more walking down the steps....unhooking the main door...connecting the doors....then pulling them both closed. With the stiff hinge you simply swing the screen door open against the main door so it catches and then pull them both closed, all without stepping outside. This works better with a bar handle installed on the inside of your screen door of course. Same thing when you open up in the morning, just push the main door open without stepping outside. We really like these extra features of this type of hinge. (Joe: I just sent you another email with an additional pic.)
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Old 05-09-2014, 05:26 AM   #12
Captain Joe
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Joe....got it thanks. Hmmm. Good and bad comments. I think I like the gas strut that we had on our 3750FL the best. It worked great.
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Old 05-18-2014, 05:55 PM   #13
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We have the friction hinges on our 2014 3725. I'm still debating their value. They seem to work OK, most of the time. We were at the coast recently, during a warm (and windy) spell, and as mentioned with winds over 30 MPH, the door would work it's way closed. Also though, as mentioned, no more "slamming shut" in a wayward gust. I wouldn't install them if they weren't already on, however I'm also not going to remove them either. We'll just see how long they last, and keep their "friction" level. The door is not hard to close, doesn't take a lot of effort, and haven't noticed any bending/flexing of either the door or the frame.
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Old 05-19-2014, 04:06 AM   #14
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Thanks Terry and Patsy.
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Old 05-19-2014, 04:23 AM   #15
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Once we get our rig back from dealer, I will contribute some info regarding the friction hinges.
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Old 06-21-2016, 11:22 AM   #16
bad99ram
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I have the new Friction Hinges on my unit. They seemed to work good until a gust of wind popped up and the door slammed against the awning arm. Just got it back from the dealer , we had the 90 degree T latches installed on both doors. 100% reliable and no stress wondering if the door will slam against the awning arm again. Money well spent
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Old 06-21-2016, 01:30 PM   #17
RKassl
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On my 2015 this friction hinge is the one thing I really don't like because if I wan the door open in a mild breeze it will not stay open, thought was good design was bad.
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Old 06-21-2016, 02:14 PM   #18
bigskyjimmy
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Got the friction on mine and we like it only time it closes is in heavier wind so I just bought a 7 dollar hold latch on Amazon and then it is just like my 2012 non friction door , if you don't like the friction just buy the cheap latch and hold it open all the time,My buddy with a SOB likes his as well and he did the same thing when the wind gets too bad... just latch it open,Montana should have just installed a latch but what the heck 7 bucks did not break the bank and if it squeaks like mine has sometimes well Jeezz Just lube it man
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:00 PM   #19
kench
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We have a 2016 Montana 3790RD Legacy Edition . It has the awkward and unsafe friction hinge. My dealers usual answer "thats the way they come". They finally agreed to replace them with the old style hinges and catch on the exterior wall. When using the friction hinges I found myself going off balance to try and swing the door to open an we have a cat who likes to "escape to freedom " so it can be a challenge. Even without the cat its a challenge... LOL
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:15 PM   #20
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Do not do it. I replaced with standard hinges and traditional latch and have been happy ever since.
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