Suicide Door - Transit Safety Block

[funkill]

Hi all.

I'm getting the Silver Olive ready for her trip back to the east coast. On my way from FL to NV, I taped the edge of the suicide/entry door in hopes of keeping the lip from catching wind and ripping back. The Gorilla tape held well, but was a biotch to get off. (Still reminants of adhesive on the frame.)

So, today I decided to assemble a safety block to keep it in place. I remembered some threads here showing wood blocks, and that's where I started. Here's my (almost) final piece. I am thinking that if I open the holes a bit, I can probably thread a padlock through it for more security while in storage.

This is intended for use ONLY while in transit!!!

Laura

[Steamy1]

Here is what I installed. It is made by Fiamma, and has a cylinder lock so you can have another locking system. It locks in both the "open and closed" positions. Very well made.

[switz]

The wood blocks are a clever solution that won't scratch the metal. There are extended shank padlocks that might work in lieu of nuts and bolts to hold the three pieces of wood together and provide some additional security.

[Lumatic]

I don't have a pic handy but Stanley makes a keyed hasp with the lock built in.

[Lumatic]

Steamy,
The only sites I could find for the Fiamma lock were in the UK. Where can you get them in the US and how much?
Marshall

[LivLoveLaugh]

Newbie here,

Just wondering, is this suicide/entry door a problem on all AS models with suicide doors? Does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling about our new AS.

[Stefrobrts]

It's a problem because if the wind gets under and pops it open (which shouldn't happen, but occasionally does) it will do a lot of damage to door and the panel it hits. A little block of wood, or even a rubber trangular doorstop popped into place under the handle is a cheap safety precaution. It's the last thing on our checklist before we move out.

[Janet H]

Another rendition on a great idea. Check here for another members solution Make Your Own Suicide Door Security Latch

[LivLoveLaugh]

Thanks Stephanie,

I guess I'll have to try and make one of those wooden things. Since we haven't taken the AS out yet, this should be first on my things needed.
Thanks again,
Denny

[LivLoveLaugh]

Thanks for the link Janet, I'll have to check it out.

Denny

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by LivLoveLaugh

Newbie here,

Just wondering, is this suicide/entry door a problem on all AS models with suicide doors? Does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling about our new AS.

It's not nearly as likely to be a problem on the newer trailers that have a deadbolt and latch, unlike older trailers that just had a latch. Plus wear on the door and latches increases risk, compared to a new trailer like yours (some of these trailers are many decades old).

[Stefrobrts]

On a new trailer it's probably more of a 'belt AND suspenders' thing but on an old trailer, I've seen the damage a loose door can do, so it's a prudent precaution.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by LivLoveLaugh

Newbie here,

Just wondering, is this suicide/entry door a problem on all AS models with suicide doors? Does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling about our new AS.

Originally Posted by Wazbro

It's not nearly as likely to be a problem on the newer trailers that have a deadbolt and latch, unlike older trailers that just had a latch. Plus wear on the door and latches increases risk, compared to a new trailer like yours (some of these trailers are many decades old).

Hi, You may only have a problem on a newer trailer if you don't use the dead bolt, don't lock the main lock, and don't fully close your door. [all three] The newer trailers have door latches that are very similar to the ones on your car. The older trailers have door latches very similar to the ones used in houses. [these are the problem latches]

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Steamy,
The only sites I could find for the Fiamma lock were in the UK. Where can you get them in the US and how much?
Marshall

Fiamma USA, at Fiamma Inc. - Products

If the parts are shown in the downloadable PDF catalog, but not listed on the web page, they can still be obtained, but only by special-order, which takes about six weeks. My Interstate has a Fiamma awning, and I've ordered accessories for it from Fiamma USA.

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

Here is what I installed. It is made by Fiamma, and has a cylinder lock so you can have another locking system. It locks in both the "open and closed" positions. Very well made.

The plate that attaches to the door jamb is too wide and required cutting to allow the lock to fit flush against the body. I took it to a machine shop and had them shave it down and drill three holes.

[LivLoveLaugh]

Ok all, thanks for sending the link to Freshair's post on the wooden door stop.
Made one this morning to see if it would work. Will have to try it out later.
Thanks again,
Denny

[nm1oqrz]

Hello All. I just ordered the door lock the Steamy1 installed, from a place in FL. As Steamy1 said the part number is 04688A01 and the phone number in FL is 407-672-0091. They had a few in stock and they were $71.+
I ordered it today and it should be here in CT by weeks end. As a side note they are not a UK lock but Italian.
This sure solves a problen as about 15 years ago on a trip home from NH the door came open and did a number on bending it. I worked on that miserable door for weeks before it fit properly.
The info I am repeating came from Steamy1 so he is the one to thank.
Happy camping nm1oqrz

[MIKO92]

STEAMY1,

Thanks for the input and the info! I am confused about how this holds the door closed, though.
The Fiamma lock attaches to the door jamb, then the locking block attached and locks to it. It looks like the locking pad (the sculpted white block with the lock in it) fits over the panel that is screwed into the door jamb. How does it hold the door closed?

What gets attached to the door?

Just wondering.

Thanks!

[nm1oqrz]

Hello MIKO92. The door lock doesn't attach to the door at all. It attaches to the side of the door frame that is attached to the trailer. The lock then is able to pivot so it is straight up verticule and out of the way so the door can be opened or pivoted horizontal across the door so the door can't open.
Mine works great. Too bad they wern't a silver color.
Happy camping nm1oqrz

Originally Posted by MIKO92

STEAMY1,

Thanks for the input and the info! I am confused about how this holds the door closed, though.
The Fiamma lock attaches to the door jamb, then the locking block attached and locks to it. It looks like the locking pad (the sculpted white block with the lock in it) fits over the panel that is screwed into the door jamb. How does it hold the door closed?

What gets attached to the door?

Just wondering.

Thanks!