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08-31-2015, 07:29 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master 
2015 28' Flying Cloud
2018 33' Classic
Cumming
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 518
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Cheap plastic door latches
2015 FC 28. What's up with these cheap latches. Screws keep falling out. Have tried putting kitchen match pieces and rescrewing; no good. Better ideas??? Please
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08-31-2015, 07:33 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Contractor grade. Cheapest they could find. Epoxy and oversized screws usually help.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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08-31-2015, 07:39 PM
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#3
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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If they're machine screws, try putting a drop of blue thread locker on the threads, and screwing them in.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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08-31-2015, 07:42 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member 
2015 25' FB International
my
, house
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 86
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I've had a couple come out. Filled stripped hole with PC11 epoxy,available at most hardware or big box stores. Let cure 24hr minimum. Drill and reinstall screw. Will hold very well if not over torqued. Be careful not to drill too deep and going through door.
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08-31-2015, 08:53 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,673
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What bwpaint said. That's how I fixed one of mine. The PO had just put in a bigger screw. That was a fail. Epoxy holding well.
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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09-01-2015, 11:48 AM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member 
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 9
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Mine did the same on the closet door. I bought screws that were a bit longer. So far it's working. We have a 2016 25FB Flying Cloud.
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09-01-2015, 12:27 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Milton
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 71
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Cheap latches
I have had the same problem on our 2014 FC 30. One latch has broken.
To your problem. Use 1/8" dowel wood with wood glue to plug the holes. Use a larger screw diameter . I can' t remember what size I used maybe a # 6 or 8. Measure the door thickness plus the latch flange then get the longest screw without it breaking through the door finish.
Norrie
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09-01-2015, 01:00 PM
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#8
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TinCan
2016 30' Classic
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 880
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All of the above. Toothpicks, glue then the screw. Usually works for me. Last time I tried a little wood filler along with glue and so far holding up.
__________________
TinCan
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09-01-2015, 01:09 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1972 29' Ambassador
Boynton Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 568
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For an absolutely bullet-proof overkill fix, drill oversize holes (like 5/16"!) and fill them with thickened epoxy. I like micro-balloons or the sawdust from a belt-sander. When you drill the holes for the screws into that, it will hold for sure!
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09-01-2015, 01:10 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2017 25' International
Carlsbad
, California
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 706
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Take a look here too
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09-01-2015, 01:21 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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I use a mixture like Suzy said except that I put the screws back in right away - with oil on the threads. After the epoxy has set up, then I torque to proper holding level.
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
 
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09-01-2015, 02:48 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DoublTrouble
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWCHIEF
Contractor grade. Cheapest they could find.
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I have been curious about what latches are being discussed here, particularly since most posts revolve around loose screws which the latches themselves are not responsible for. So I was pleased to see the picture DoublTrouble refers to so I would know what latches are involved and if my trailer has them, too.
Our 2002 19' Bambi has them and they have caused no problems over the last 13 years, so maybe how the screws fasten into newer cabinets is the main difficulty.
Are the latches "Contractor grade. The cheapest they could find."? Well, the brand in our trailer is Southco and they are marine grade (i.e. boat), a quality not usually thought of as poor. A common retail price is about $15 per latch, not exactly cheap.
Tim
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09-01-2015, 03:20 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2007 28' Classic
Ivanhoe
, Virginia
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 38
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A small piece of plastic zip tie works very nicely.
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09-01-2015, 03:33 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member 
2011 30' Classic
2007 25' International CCD
1993 32' Excella
Largo
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 355
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I wonder if when the latches are installed, I'm sure that the installer is using a drill to tighten and perhaps in an effort to hurry, he is tightening too much and compromising the supporting wood. The poor quality of the latch should have nothing to do with the fact that the screws come out. Oh... Don't ask me how I know about over tightening.
>>ron<<
__________________
 2015 GMC Denali 2500, 4x4, Duramax diesel, Topper, Pro Pride 3 P, Sendel 16" with Michelin LTs, one Yellow Labrador Retriever (AS security)
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09-01-2015, 03:56 PM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim A.
I have been curious about what latches are being discussed here, particularly since most posts revolve around loose screws which the latches themselves are not responsible for. So I was pleased to see the picture DoublTrouble refers to so I would know what latches are involved and if my trailer has them, too.
Our 2002 19' Bambi has them and they have caused no problems over the last 13 years, so maybe how the screws fasten into newer cabinets is the main difficulty.
Are the latches "Contractor grade. The cheapest they could find."? Well, the brand in our trailer is Southco and they are marine grade (i.e. boat), a quality not usually thought of as poor. A common retail price is about $15 per latch, not exactly cheap.
Tim
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Most of the latches on my 2014 FC look like this and are inexpensive at Camping World.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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09-01-2015, 04:31 PM
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#16
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carver 1
I wonder if when the latches are installed, I'm sure that the installer is using a drill to tighten and perhaps in an effort to hurry, he is tightening too much and compromising the supporting wood. The poor quality of the latch should have nothing to do with the fact that the screws come out. Oh... Don't ask me how I know about over tightening.
>>ron<<
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Poor latch quality 
Stripped wood screws.....
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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09-01-2015, 04:33 PM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DoublTrouble
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Try post number 2978 (on page 213 of the full site version) too, Robert Cross posted great pictures, and a fix for the cheap latches.
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09-01-2015, 06:12 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
2016 23' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
leavenworth
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeltaRon
2015 FC 28. What's up with these cheap latches. Screws keep falling out. Have tried putting kitchen match pieces and rescrewing; no good. Better ideas??? Please
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mine did the same I put hard wood OAK in the holes and glue on the screw threads Gorilla
glue and screwed them back in.....there have been several things wrong and I believe Airstream has gone cheap (NON_UNION) plus inferior parts. FAN behind fridge,drain valve underneath by water tank just waiting for the next problem to arise.....no extended warranty too much money. 
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09-01-2015, 08:15 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
2016 23' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
leavenworth
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 26
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use a hardwood (oak) to fill hole with glue then screw , readjust the latch so it's not too tight. Airstream is losing their Quality
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09-01-2015, 08:29 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Just for the record our latches have never loosened, broken, or come unlatched when towing. We traveled extensively and lived in the Airstream over 24 months total.
There must be others with similar results. It may be someone(s) at the assembly line is over tightening the screws during assembly on some units.
Inland Andy has suggested this is a symptom of out-of-balanced running gear and/or too stiff a hitch connection.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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