Window latch dilemma

[maxandgeorgia]

Driveway camping in our '95 Limited, we opened windows for night breeze Saturday all around the trailer, checking that they worked. Everything seemed fine. When I began closing them on Sunday, I found a couple of problems for which I need suggestions. First, on two of them, when I released the braces from the inside that hold the windows open, the window almost closed, but not enough to let me turn and lock the latch. The window would stay about 3/4 inch open instead of closing against the window frame. This meant Max had to go out and hold the window tightly shut so that I could turn the latch to secure it closed. Solution? Second, on three of the windows, I could turn the latch so that it the window was securely shut, but I could not press the latch handle shut. It stays open, pointing into the trailer and will not "roll" (close) shut. Do I need to use a lubricant? which? I am terrified of forcing and breaking the latch. Thanks for solutions!

[Porky Pig]

I have the same problems from time to time. As for closing the windows to clear the latches ... I apply a little extra down pressure to the handles ... or one handle ... and try to get that side closed first.

I also have one latch that likes to act stubborn about once a month ... a little silicon spray does the trick for me.

[74Argosy24MH]

Any weatherstrip that could be holding them open? If not clean up the hinge well, the other 3 could be a latch adjustment.

[Janet's Husband]

I have run into the latch sticking before. Best I could tell, it was do to the operating shaft sticking in the mounting block for the handle. A shot of
Tri-Flow fixed it fine.
As for for the window not coming closed, check to see if the operating rods are free and straight, I had one with a hook in it and it held the window out a little. Straightened it out and all was fine again. Check to see all of the weather stripping is in place.
Good Luck

[85MH325]

This is a pretty common problem, and one for which I have found no explanation. Some of the latches work nicely and some don't care to play and there doesn't seem to be a common cause.

With the windows, first of course, make sure that the side arms are completely down in the bottom of their tracks and not caught on one of the notches.

Once the window is 'down', the solution to getting the latch to catch the slightly open window is to push in on the latch handle before you turn it. It will get the tab on the latch into the slot on the glass, and then it will snug it up nicely.

When one of the lock knob levers is sticky, you can pull it toward you while you turn it. I have a couple that are very sticky, and sometimes rocking it a little as you close it causes it to slide shut more easily. Undoubtedly a little lubricant would help that as well.

Roger