Yahoo Message Number: 116430 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116430)
We experienced the dreaded door spring failure today -- i.e., the spring inside the entry door latch mechanism broke and we were captive inside the coach.
Fortunately, I'd learned about this type of failure from group postings (a few years back) and had fabricated and installed an "emergency escape" lanyard in the door mechanism that allowed us to get the door open without calling a locksmith. Worked like a charm!
Uncovered the latch mechanism and sure enough, the critical spring had broken!
Has anyone had success finding a replacement spring? Its about 1.5" long and fairly sturdy. I've looked at various hardware stores in the past without success.
Another owner tells me a locksmith was able to fabricate a replacement when he experienced the same failure -- and wished he'd ordered a couple!
Kevin W. says he may be able to help if I send photos of the door latch and mechanism.
Any other success stories? Suggestions?
--
Tom Harsch -- 2002 Allure #30791
On the road again
Yahoo Message Number: 116431 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116431)
Definitely interested in this thread... hoping to see the solution. Would the spring be the same in "all" country coach models?
Dave 04 Intrigue 11793
Yahoo Message Number: 116432 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116432)
I had to find a spring that was close at Ace Hardware. I then cut one end to shorten it and then looped it in the latch. This has held for about a year.
Donnie
2003 Intrigue 11566
Yahoo Message Number: 116433 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116433)
Have you looked at McMaster Carr's website?
Larry
Yahoo Message Number: 116434 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116434)
Would you share your design of the emergency lanyard.....
Larry
Yahoo Message Number: 116437 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116437)
What Larry said: please share the emergency release trick. This is new to me...
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
Yahoo Message Number: 116440 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116440)
Yes please share.
Brenda & Jerry Azzara
1999 Chefs Delite
#10702
Pro
Yahoo Message Number: 116442 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116442)
Following this thread. Thanks.
Yahoo Message Number: 116443 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116443)
We had the same problem this year. OMC fixed ours. Call Elaina or Matt Carr they can help you.
Barbara Holmes 2004 Intrigue #11704
Yahoo Message Number: 116447 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116447)
Our coach has the Trimark door latch mechanism which I suspect is what CC used in most of our rigs.
If the door latch/spring/whatever fails and you are trapped inside, my plan was to remove the two screws holding the plate around the handle inside hoping that I could get the door open. Does that not work?
Gary
07 Allure 470 #31578
Yahoo Message Number: 116451 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116451)
Its definetly on my list for a maintenance item. It would be very ugly if I needed to get out of a window.
Wally & Elta Mae
2007Allure 470 Sunset Bay #31535
Yahoo Message Number: 116452 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116452)
Thanks. Tell us how to use the lanyard.
Frank
------
From: "Larry Smith chipline@... [Country-Coach-Owners]"
Date: 10/16/18 22:22 (GMT-05:00)
To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Door latch spring source?
Have you looked at McMaster Carr's website?
Larry
Yahoo Message Number: 116458 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116458)
Will do.
We're in travel mode now so it may be a few days before I get to it.
--
Tom Harsch
Yahoo Message Number: 116459 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116459)
On mine, the inside cover plate is also firmly attached to the door edge with four large phillips head bolts that can't be accessed when the door is closed. Hence the need for a "lanyard" to activate the mechanism.
Yours may be a different design.
--
Tom Harsch -- 2002 Allure #30791
Yahoo Message Number: 116460 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116460)
Good news! No need to wait on me to document the lanyard design.
I found one of the earlier discussion threads and it links to a series of photos posted by Larry Feather on 6/21/2009. See Larry's 2/16/2012 posting (#77425) about the broken spring issue.
The following link may take you directly to the photos
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/photos/albums/1827501333/lightbox/1181629552?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc#zax/1181629552 (https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/photos/albums/1827501333/lightbox/1181629552?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc#zax/1181629552)
I used a flexible braided wire (like picture hanging wire) with some crimping loop sleeves to secure the ends.
Larry says Trimark was going to send him replacement springs. I think I'll try that route!
--
Tom Harsch -- 2002 Allure #30791
Yahoo Message Number: 116461 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116461)
Looks like a promising source.
Thanks.
--
Tom Harsch
Yahoo Message Number: 116466 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116466)
GREAT help, Tom! These photos make it dead easy to see how to do this. It'll go on my "to do" lost asap. THANKS
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
Yahoo Message Number: 116473 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116473)
Eureka! I found replacement springs today at a Home Depot store: SKU #703860. The package contains 2 workable 1.5" springs (and 2 less useful 2.5" springs) for less than $4.
Home Depot also had the lanyard parts: 1/16" uncoated galvanized wire rope (SKU 1000052740) + 1/16" aluminum ferrule and stop set (SKU #566466) -- total cost about $2.
1/16" vinyl coated wire rope might also be used: less corrosion? do ferrules hold vinyl as well? vinyl might tend to snag?
--
Tom Harsch -- 2002 Allure #30791
Yahoo Message Number: 116474 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116474)
Thanks Tom!!
Dave 11793 04 intrigue
Yahoo Message Number: 116495 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116495)
2003 Intrigue owner Donnie was talking to me about this thread, and offered to share some pictures he had too.
I was helped from this board 2014, after being locked out of the coach. We have an 04 Allure, with the same door handle/lock. And as luck would have it, we were at one of the thee dump stations in Denali National Park. (We were quite 'popular' as the lines for dumping grew, with 1/3 of the lanes blocked:)!). Luckily we had the driver's side window unlatched, and I was not at all gracefully was able to climb thru. And with a bit of encouraging choice words, the door did open from the inside.
Not many hardware stores in the area, and we were dumping after spending 7 days in Savage, and before going into Teklanika for three days. (For those not familiar, you must agree to remain at least three days, and you must leave your Toad back at the visitor centers, as you go into the park on the same dirt roads as the green tour busses.).
We parked at the visitor center to have WiFI, and I researched various boards and found a post about the likely problem with the handle/latch. I told my DW that I was confident I could MacGyver a temporary fix once we were in the Tek Campground. She reluctantly agreed to proceed. (AND WOW! So glad we went inside further. Savage was great, even saw The Mountain... But Tek was special.)
Got into door panel off, and examine the hand/latching mechanism. Our problem was both a weaker spring, and the catastrophic break was a C Clamp had dislodged from one of the rods. So that was an easy fix, as I found the C Clamp in the bottom of the door, and added a dab of RTV Sealant to the C clamp. The weaker spring, was addressed by timing about a 12" string to the panel screws, near the hinged side. Tied a loop in the end of the 12" string, and then used a small bungie cord and one end thru the loop, and other hook end up and in the back side of the sliding latch handle. The tension on the bungie, kept the latch from jarring into lock or partial locked condition when we went outside of the coach. For travel, we'd just unhook the bungie end thru the string loop, and lock the door.
May not have looked pretty, but it was effective. Found a spring that I could use in a hardware store in Canada, as we were headed South. (Bought two, and still carry the spare.)
For other reasons, we had OMC replace the full handle/latch with a new unit, two years ago. I do a yearly inspection of the C clamps (And yep, have a dab of RTV Sealant on the new one too.) And keep and eye on the latch.
But, will add the lanyard trick during the next maintenance cycle:)!
Got to love this board. Everyone helping each other:)!
Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 116497 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116497)
Reading this topic and looking at the pics I want to make sure I understand how this 'fix' works. So if the spring breaks the little gizmo flops to the left rendering the mechanism inoperable. The lanyard, as I can see it, appears to let you pull the gizmo back to the right. Does that then open the door or just allow you to open the door with the handle?
Also, if the spring breaks and you are lucky enough to have a neighbor who you can enlist, can they open the door from the outside? Or, does the broken spring prevent opening the door in any case?
Actually today I was unable to lock or unlock my entry door with the key from the outside. None of the three keys we have will operate the lock....it just does not turn. I suspect a tumbler/tumblers have failed. Will be calling a locksmith who has been recommended by the RV park folks. I will ask his opinion on all of this. Since the coach is 11 years old and (from previous experience with a similar Trimark system on our prior coach I know the mechanism is not stout), I may ask him to replace the entire mechanism.....assuming he can get it or has it. Thinking if he does a lot of RV work (lots of RV's in my location, Myrtle Beach, SC) he may have the Trimark locks.
Gary
07 Allure 470 #31578
Yahoo Message Number: 116498 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116498)
Can my drivers window latch be repaired? If so how? Thank you John Wofford
06 CC Inspire #51720
Yahoo Message Number: 116510 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116510)
Gary - For our Trimark problem. The dead bolt could jar into a partial or complete locked position, by the closing/slamming of the door. The spring, holds sliding handle/deadbolt in the open positioned. The door handle latch, operates on a different set of rods and all latches.
The lanyard when pulled, will slide the deadbolt back into an open position.
At least that's how I recall mine worked, or did not:)!
Best,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 116514 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116514)
Gary,
The lanyard pulls the left gizmo of the mechanism to the right. At that point you must pull the usual door handle to actually open the door. Pulling the handle causes the gizmo to move back to the left (pulling the lanyard back a bit) and release the latch.
At one point I tried hard wiring the left gizmo to the right with a large paper clip in lieu of a spring. That DOES NOT work -- the handles must be able to move the left gizmo leftward to release the latch mechanism!
I'm fairly certain neither the inside nor outside handle will open the door if the spring breaks -- never got as far as trying the outside handle.
The lanyard fix worked fine with either handle for several days until I could locate and install a replacement spring. Just the presence of the lanyard (with no additional tension) seemed to keep the left gizmo from flopping too far left again. Just in case we got locked out, we did leave a window unlocked and had access to a ladder any time we left the coach.
--
Tom Harsch -- 2002 Allure #30791
Pahrump, NV
Yahoo Message Number: 116736 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116736)
Well, It just happened to us! Locked in. I read all the posts that I could find but nobody has any hints that say how to open the door!!! (At least I couldn't find it)
Does anyone have an answer?
Dick May
2002 Intrigue
Yahoo Message Number: 116738 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116738)
Dick,
You out yet? I looked at my door form the inside have no idea if that happened to me.
God Bless and good luck.
Michael Title
05 Inspire #51381
Yahoo Message Number: 116739 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116739)
Assume you have tried to lock/unlock the door a few times, without success?
A PITA to get to with the screen door in the way, but by reaching thru the screen door sliding panel (At least on our 04 Allure model.), I could get a right angle screw driver into undo the screws of the door handle. (We have a small socket wrench style ratchet, which holds a Philips Head #2, so once I get it into the screw head and break the screw loose, it goes pretty easy.)
Once the handle cover is off, or actually just the top screw out and the bottom screws loose enough to allow the pulling out of the top of the handle, you can then get in and use a skinny item to move the lever on top to unlatch the door. The pictures on how to attach the lanyard, show the most likely lever you need to move.
If you don't have access from the screen door side. Then read about the drilling of the outside hole, and to get access to the lever, then plug it afterwards.
Best of luck to you,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 116740 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116740)
Usually you have to try to remove the interior trim panel to access lock assembly. Hopefully you can remove it without having to cut it.
Mikee
Yahoo Message Number: 116741 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116741)
It happened to my 05 Inspire in 2014. Here are the notes I posted at the time in my Outlook calendar.
Mechanic was able open locked window and crawl inside to open door
Took door handle apart, bent an arm on the inside of latch, replaced handle and all seems to work
I don't know if this helps, however, were were able to get in.
Jock Vargo
Yahoo Message Number: 116742 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116742)
Thanks, Jock. I was able to get in through a window but the inside handle wouldn't open the door either.
Found a locksmith who destroyed the outside handle and mechanism. But at least I can open and close the door... kinda'! Now searching for a replacement handle and mechanism.
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438
Yahoo Message Number: 116743 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116743)
You might call Oregon Motorcoach & they can ship one.
Yahoo Message Number: 116744 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116744)
If anyone can find another door lock that would work to replace this Trimark garbage, it would be appreciated. One with a digital keypad would be best. I spoke with PTL and they're not aware of anything else.
Rich 2002 Magna
Yahoo Message Number: 116761 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/country-coach-owners/conversations/messages/116761)
Thanks to all for the input. Got tied up with the holiday and will have to start looking for a solution tomorrow. At least I can get in/out with a little MacGyver engineering.
Plus, I did find a spring at Home Depot that is almost an exact replacement.
Thanks again!
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438