Driving Down the Road

[bikefever]

During my last trip driving down the road the latch on rear emergency egress window failed. Being full timers we travel with a second vehicle where my wife drives behind me to make sure all is well. She noticed a change in reflection on the rear window. After a stop, we noticed that the window was flopping in the wind and the latch had failed/ Was it flopping due to vibration or pressure within the rig. There have been many reports of the failures of this latch, some numerous times.

With the window being aft in the rig, I believe that air does flow while driving down the road putting some pressure on the rear window causing the weakest link, egress latch to fail.

Does the rig get pressurized or is it a positive pressure trying to exit the rig. I believe it is the later. This could explain a couple of other failures that folks have had. One being cracks in the gray water tanks. Since all the drains are open, the tanks get pressurized or filled with air causing them to flex and ultimately fail. I realize that the rig is a moving earthquake but undue pressures can cause failures like the ones we have had.

This is not scientific study but only a theory, only true instrumentation will give the tell tale. But for sure from now on, I will be leaving the bathroom vents open, with the Max AIr vents facing aft, will cause a slight vacuum while driving down the road which will help any additional air flowing in the rig to exit and relieve any internal pressures.

Appreciate thoughts on this subject.

[JandC]

My rear emergency window latch failed during the first couple of months. I am pretty sure it had nothing to do with pressure inside my rig but just a junk aluminum part built by the cheapest bidder.

[1retired06]

Agree, most unimpressive latches on all our windows.

[WaltBennett]

The only way you'd have a lot of pressure inside the trailer would be if there was some way for air to be forced in. The vents all face rearward and would tend to cause a vacuum, not pressure. Even all were open, there's multiple places for air to come in not causing extreme vacuum or pressure. I'd definitely go with the cheap and poorly made latches.

[dieselguy]

I agree with previous replies. As drafty as any of our units are, there's a very slim chance it could hold tight enough to build pressure. There's most always small gaps around the flooring ramps of each slide. Pull up the carpet flap and take a look. Baggage doors seldom totally seal and that area is directly connected to your living area. Actually going down the road ... there's more chance of developing low pressure instead of high. Have you ever seen a fiver traveling down the road with the roof material bulged up like a big balloon? Tanks fail simply because they are made thinner and thinner and have little support. Latches fail because they are also cheaply made. The rear of any trailer is the most jolted and jostled ...

[DQDick]

I also agree. If your getting a pressure buildup, you've got far better seals than any of the rest of us do.