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Entry Door strut

Yahoo Message Number: 74885
Hey everyone,

I have a problem with my entry door. I have the old door, on a 2000 Magna #5798. The strut is on the top held by two brackets- one on the coach and one on the door.
I think that someone put the wrong part on this a while back. I think I need a damper like you put on a truck tailgate, so it does not swing open wildly and break the door hinge which has already been replaced once. Am I right about this?
The door is not closing properly and I can see where one of the pins on the door latch has been worn by improper hitting on the door frame part. One of the bolts on the top door bracket broke at the weld, so I need to get that re-welded to hold the strut in place. It came loose and did some damage. What a pain...
Does anyone know what proper damper type strut to use for the door? At least what specs I need for this part? I know the length, but do not know how to order it according to lbs of pressure or whatever.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Rosemary Mancillas
2000 Magna #5798

currently in Tucson ( and missing having Chris Snyder as my tech...., since I cannot afford Lazy Days...)

Re: Entry Door strut

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74893
We have an Intrigue, not sure about the Magna. Got my part from the RV store on Grant and I10,l Sandy's RV. Good Guy, very helpful!!
See message 64845. This part solved the problem for us. I've replaced the door bracket, got it from CC, call Kevin Waite, he may have one. If not you can have one made, if your handy you can make one yourself or repair the one you have.

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Re: Entry Door strut

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74897
I ordered a SPD 5300-20A from www.spdhardware.com for my door.
It does then require a firm push to close the door but opens only to about 90 degrees.

It's been good for the last 5 years.

Dean

95 Magna 5280

Re: Entry Door strut

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74903
The part that I referenced is 10#. I tried the standards that were available at Camping World etc. they were 18# or 20# I think, they opened the door so hard it broke the strut. The one referenced opens the door slowly and is easy to shut.

Judy n Joe
98 Intrigue

Re: Entry Door strut

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74905
On my 2000 magna the strut is a SPD-GS-5300-20.
SPD is Service Plus Distributors out of Pennsylvania. I believe the final -20 means it is a 20 lb force strut. My door does not open at high speed but then I usually catch it with my hand as it opens.
I'm at least the 3rd owner of this coach and have no idea if this is original equipment or not. The barrel on mine is beginning to rust so it may be the original.
On mine, the two pins in the edge of door are no longer in the door. Apparently the door began to sag and someone removed them. My door was rubbing slightly on the rear edge near the top of the door. I put a shim between the hinge and the frame on the bottom of the door and eliminated the rubbing.

pete

40' 2000 magna #5892
Pete
 2000 40'  Magna #5892  CAT C-10

Re: Entry Door strut

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74908
Hey Dean, Can you tell me the extended length of the strut from center to center of the socket if it isn't too much trouble? Thanks.

See, this is the way my door closed. But I question whether this should work this way. It seems more logical that it should be harder to open so it doesn't swing out, and easier to close. Isn't that how a tailgate damper mechanism works on a truck tailgate?

Rosemary

Re: Entry Door strut

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74912
Thanks! That is helpful. I may need to use shims to make the door fit correctly again. Something has gone kaflooey... ( that is a technical term ;-) --spellchecker doesn't like it however)
SPD sounds familiar from having to get struts for the bay doors. But I am still wondering about the logic of having a strut that allows the door to swing out with force instead of holding it back. I think that is why I am having this problem and already had the hinge re-manufactured and replaced several years ago at the factory service facility. Visitors unfamiliar with that action, come in and out of my coach and let the door swing open before I can stop them... that strut doesn't help. I think we need another solution. I am going to keep asking that question.

Re: Entry Door strut

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74913
I just went on the SPD website and I see that they have a possible solution to my door problem. They DO have damper style compression struts that would be better for the door open and closing, I believe. They offer the compression for opening or closing, and also dual to slow it down both opening and closing. I am going to contact their engineering and see what they recommend in this situation. I will get back to you if anyone else is interested in the solution. Re-manufacturing the hinge on these old doors is pricey and not good considering all the holes they have and the weight of the door.
Rosemary