Sticking door

[mstblove]

Hi, I have a 1970 Globetrotter, the door is getting harder and harder to open from the out side. I have to pull the handle out as far as I can and really pull before the door will open. The seal is torn and kind of flops around for about 3 inches above the latch. so here is my question, would the torn seal cause this problem or do I need to remove the handle and do something with the innards? If I have to remove the handle will just removing the 4 screws by the inside handle give me access to what I'm looking for in the innards or do I have to take the skin off the inside of the door for complete access?
I know this may sound confusing to those of you who actually know what you're talking about, but just think you could be me

Thank you

Debra

[azflycaster]

The seal could be the cause of the problem. Let's hope so because you can buy a lifetime supply of seal for the cost of one of those locks.

Open the door and operate the handle and see how far the slide bolt retracts into the door. It should retract all the way into the door, but does not need to go that far to clear the door frame. My slide bolt clears the door frame when the angled end of the slide bolt get even with the door itself. Your results may be slightly different.

I would replace the seal first. It's easy, cheap and you need one.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mstblove

Hi, I have a 1970 Globetrotter, the door is getting harder and harder to open from the out side. I have to pull the handle out as far as I can and really pull before the door will open. The seal is torn and kind of flops around for about 3 inches above the latch. so here is my question, would the torn seal cause this problem or do I need to remove the handle and do something with the innards? If I have to remove the handle will just removing the 4 screws by the inside handle give me access to what I'm looking for in the innards or do I have to take the skin off the inside of the door for complete access?
I know this may sound confusing to those of you who actually know what you're talking about, but just think you could be me

Thank you

Debra

Debra.

From your description, it sounds like an internal part of that lock is either worn, or bent.

The only way you can tell, is to remove the lock from the door.

Andy

[mstblove]

Andy, How do I go about removing the lock from the door?
Also, I know I've seen it here before but what is the best type of seal to use, and can I get it from just any ole RV repair shop?

Thank you

[Gene]

Are the latches lubricated? That can cause the problem if they aren't.

Gene

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mstblove

Andy, How do I go about removing the lock from the door?
Also, I know I've seen it here before but what is the best type of seal to use, and can I get it from just any ole RV repair shop?

Thank you

Regular RV stores usually don't have the correct materials for an Airstream.

The original gaskets for the 1970 entrance door and windows was a double flare.

We changed that to a hollow "D" shaped gasket, that works far superior.

How to remove your KT lock?

There are some screws that hold the lock in place, on the inside of the door, and, one that's at the edge of the door.

Those must be removed.

You also remove the inside handle.

The next part is the harder part. You must drill out about 8 rivets or so, with a # 30 drill bit, that are on the inside of the door and around the lock. You then can flex the upper panel out enough so that the lock can be removed. The inner shaft of the lock, that the handle was attached to, causes the difficulty.

Unfortunately, there is no other way to remove the KT lock from the doors of 1970 to 1977 trailers.

If you run into a stumbling block, let me know and we can go from there.

Andy