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Old 10-07-2024, 08:07 PM   #1
Robokatz
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M.O.C. #28338
3231 Pass-thru Door Improvement

Hello all. I have a 2022 3231CK, and while I love the floorplan, I have always hated the way the driver's side pass-thru baggage door opened, or to be more precise, the way it only PARTIALLY opened.

Owners of this model know that while the passenger side baggage door opens a full 180 degrees (allowing unfettered access), the driver's side door, (where the water hookups/dump valves are) only opens about 85 degrees, presumably to avoid hitting the bedroom slide when extended. This design results in lots of head banging, as well as a sore back from having to bend completely over to reach in to access water hookup/dump valves and mostly the storage area, making access to heavy items miserable….easy when I was 28, not so much at 68!

I finally had enough and today installed new longer gas struts (same lb force as originals). These new struts collapse to the same length as the originals so the doors close without issue, but they extend an additional 3”. That extra length means the door now opens about 120-130 degrees (just eyeballing, I am not a math major), allowing me far easier/greater access. I can now fully access the water bay and valves while standing up, and although I still have to bend a little to reach into the storage area, it’s MUCH better. I should add that even with the door opening a lot higher, it’s still several inches away from the bedroom slide, so no issues; why didn’t the factory do this to begin with?

I have (I hope) attached the “after” picture, sorry I didn’t take a before pic but fellow 3231 owners know. Finally, here is link to the struts I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1
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Old 10-07-2024, 08:28 PM   #2
Mikendebbie
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M.O.C. #21044
Better access for sure! I always assumed the struts provided limited door swing to keep it from contacting/interfering with the slide out.
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Old 10-07-2024, 08:46 PM   #3
Robokatz
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It's hard to tell from my picture since I didn't focus on the issue, but I would say the distance between the door at the new height and the bottom of the slide is still about 4-5 inches, so no worries at all, but certainly YOUR struts might be mounted in a slightly different position so after you install the new ones be sure to test distance to slide. I had my slide OUT when I installed so I could confirm clearance before I even installed. Also, if you have not strengthened/fortified your mounting plates (the ones on the door itself), this is a super common failure area (mine tore completely out after just a few months). Go to hardware store and buy 2 larger area metal plates and slightly larger diameter screws to reinforce this area....a few existing threads on this already you can look at. A MUST improvement.
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Old 10-08-2024, 08:21 AM   #4
Bourbon County
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That's a really good improvement. My rig is different model and year, but still has same setup.

I had viewed the limited travel of the hatch door as a safety feature, especially when you bump your head. If you should accidently stand up and bump your head on the hatch door it will at least give a bit and would be much less painful than bumping your head on the slide. Trust me, I've tested this theory. Your idea still offers that safety feature and a bit more comfortable access.

I've seen rigs from other manufacturers that use a small vertical swinging door for the wet bay access that is not directly under the bed slide and a smaller horizontal door for the basement access; I think this is overall the best idea. It's easy enough to leave the bed slide retracted while you do your initial hook up and disconnects, but you still have to get in there from time to time to access the dump valves. Even when the slide is retracted, that darn hatch door is a head bump hazard.
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Old 10-09-2024, 02:43 AM   #5
RMcNeal
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I've seen other brands where the door swings horizontally instead of vertically like this. I wonder if one could find a door/frame that fits correctly and replace it with a horizontally hinged door.
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Old 10-09-2024, 04:30 AM   #6
ScottnSue
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Good job on the improvement to the door swing. On our older Montana that cargo access has split two doors that swing side to side. I helps with with access but I did have some issues with water getting in when we first bought the camper. I placed some of the rubber gutter above the door to help.
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Old 10-09-2024, 07:46 AM   #7
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Good job! I placed those struts on my wish list. Thanks!
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Old 10-09-2024, 09:07 AM   #8
twindman
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My 2006 Montana had horizontal swing split doors in this area. Much better access and no head banging.
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Old 10-13-2024, 03:13 PM   #9
BuckandTeresa
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Thanks for the link— just ordered two! My 68 year old back (3 surgeries) gets wiped out by bending and lifting my heavy utility storage bins.. Thanks!!
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Old 10-13-2024, 04:02 PM   #10
beeje
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You may not have had to buy new struts. My unit has a similar door and I didn't like that it didn't open far enough so I simply moved the brackets that are attached to the frame upwards so that it would open further
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Old 10-13-2024, 07:44 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beeje View Post
You may not have had to buy new struts. My unit has a similar door and I didn't like that it didn't open far enough so I simply moved the brackets that are attached to the frame upwards so that it would open further
Did the same thing. Worked !!
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Old 10-13-2024, 08:33 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beeje View Post
You may not have had to buy new struts. My unit has a similar door and I didn't like that it didn't open far enough so I simply moved the brackets that are attached to the frame upwards so that it would open further
Ok, that makes sense because my basement door opens to within a few inches of the slideout. Keystone must have mounted the struts a little higher than some.
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