2014 Exterior Door Hinge

[JandC]

Did a search on forum but didn't see anything. The exterior door on our new 3725 didn't have the little plastic holder for keeping it open back against the unit. The salesman said he thought it was some sort of new "stiff hinge" and therefore didn't need to be secured while leaving open. Today is the first really windy day we have had. Getting gusts about 30 mph so I have door opened about half way to see if it stays.....so far so good. Anyone else get a Montana in 2013 or 2014 that came like this?

[capn chris]

Yep, ours is same way. Be interested in your report re. how effective it works.

[DougnDawn]

Yep, our 2014 has the hinges that keeps the door at any position that you leave it. We've only camped three times in it but the one time we had wind (about 20 mph) it stayed in place just fine. I'm with you, so far so good. Take care and how are you enjoying your new rig?

[JandC]

Just checked my weather app. The wind is 20-21 with gusts to 30 at Ft. Myers/Sanibel Island where we are parked. I had door open straight out for over an hours and it wiggles back and forth about an inch in the gusts but stays in place, now I pushed it back more against the side of the trailer and it seems to stay in place there also. If it continues to work like this it will be much better than the old style. Doug/Dawn, new rig is great. I was telling PackerFan in a PM this morning that the only thing to go wrong so far was the toilet not holding water. I searched the forum for that issue, lubricated seal and external parts and it has been working great since.

[K0LCB]

My 2013 doesn't have that feature. It has a gas strut on the top that I had to repair twice recently. I wonder if the hinges could be retrofit?

[scott-pati]

I have the stiff hinge. I like better than the old way. Worst case you could always install the hook latch.

[JandC]

quote:Originally posted by K0LCB

My 2013 doesn't have that feature. It has a gas strut on the top that I had to repair twice recently. I wonder if the hinges could be retrofit?

You wouldn't think they would have changed the doors or frame size between 2013 and 2014.

[HOOK]

We have the stiff hinge. It does very well. We've had gusting wind yesterday evening and today. Sometimes it would shake the whole trailer. It moved the door some but did not bang it around . I think it's a good improvement.

[boat391]

Our new 37&1/4 is just like yours with the stiff hinge door I love it and not had a problem with it as of yet. I am going to install a door bar catch anyways just for piece of mind I had them on every trailer I have owned so why mess with success. Hope you enjoy your new 37&1/4 as we do PM me and I will give you a list of things to look at that I have found wrong. Nothing to big but very annoying . Ours is only 3&1/2 months old and we have used it several times and love it. Happy camping.

[MDL]

quote:Originally posted by JandC

Just checked my weather app. The wind is 20-21 with gusts to 30 at Ft. Myers/Sanibel Island where we are parked. I had door open straight out for over an hours and it wiggles back and forth about an inch in the gusts but stays in place, now I pushed it back more against the side of the trailer and it seems to stay in place there also. If it continues to work like this it will be much better than the old style. Doug/Dawn, new rig is great. I was telling PackerFan in a PM this morning that the only thing to go wrong so far was the toilet not holding water. I searched the forum for that issue, lubricated seal and external parts and it has been working great since.

What did you lube it with, silicone?

[Artemus Gordon]

Alas, my hinge is not stiff either ! Have the gas strut and it's tough to close the door! Back door has the clip for locking open !

[jfaberna]

I'm in the same high winds as Hook and my 2014 door has the stiff hinge. The door moves around but didn't slam into the side of the rig or slam closed. However, I am concerned that the bumper on the door will never help because the door will hit the driver vent first. The 3402RL W/D closet is right behind the door and if you have a dryer vent, it would have to be where the dealer installed it. If I could find the old door hook in the new Oyster color, I'd install it.

[bctravelers]

We have the stiff hinge, not so good in our unit. The door never closes all the way or slam against the unit. But if the door is open against the side of the unit and a gust of comes up the door will move more than half way closed. No adjustment on hinges we can see.

[JandC]

I agree, you have to physically push the door all the way closed to actually latch it. I installed the interior bar handle on my screen. Now the benefit of having the stiff hinge is that if I am inside with the door open and screen closed, and I want to close and lock up for the evening, I just have to open the screen door, swing it back to the regular door where it will catch it, and then pull them both closed without going outside. It is just a lot more convenient than going out, down the steps, unhooking the main door, pushing them together, and then going back up the steps and closing them together.