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06-15-2008, 09:16 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1976 Argosy 24
Joplin
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,673
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Need a cat-proof latch
We were going to take the cats with us on a three day camp out at Roaring River State Park, until we discovered (before we left home, thank goodness) that our too-smart-for-his-own-good Abysinnian figured out that by inserting his paw in this certain spot, and leveraging it a little, the screen door would pop open and he could make his escape. Does anybody have any good ideas for a screen door latch that that darn cat can't open? No room for a hook on the outside, maybe on the inside, or something better?
They have to stay home this time, but we would like to take them with us in the future.
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06-15-2008, 09:24 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Classic
Oro Valley
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 835
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We have the problem also; Max opens the sliding piece of plastic on the screen door and goes through the opening.
We attach a steel clip to the rail on the screen door so the plastic cannot be slid.
Luckily we caught Max before he got too far from our trailer; he was bird and squirrel watching.
__________________
Kistler & Brenda
2002 Classic 25'
2003 Expedition EB 5.4L, AWD, AdvanceTrac Class IV hitch pkg. Reese dual cam/Prodigy
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06-15-2008, 09:25 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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maybe a wire tied to the inside and out? can they untie knots?
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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06-15-2008, 09:28 AM
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#4
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
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We had a problem with Gracie (Yellow Lab) going through the screen door. I solved that by putting a door guard over the screen. Now she just pushes it open with her nose. I too am looking for a solution...
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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06-15-2008, 09:39 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1976 Argosy 24
Joplin
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,673
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richinny
maybe a wire tied to the inside and out? can they untie knots?
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It will have to be something that is easy to open and close everytime we go in and out, a knot would be a pain. I am thinking maybe a hook on the inside that we can hook and unhook just opening the slider when we enter and leave. Don't know what to do about the slider, he hasn't figured out that yet but it is just a matter of time. This is a cat who figured out how to use the lever door latch on the French doors in the house to let himself out. He might even be able to figure out a knot, we haven't tested him on that yet!
If somebody could come up with a better plan, I would surely appreciate it. I'll be thinking about it too, maybe all our brains working on it can come up with a good solution for everybody!
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06-15-2008, 09:44 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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latch
I will post tomorrow, a photo of a screen door latch, that Airstream used many moons ago.
You must release the latch, in order to open the screen door.
Andy
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06-15-2008, 10:38 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1976 Argosy 24
Joplin
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,673
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
I will post tomorrow, a photo of a screen door latch, that Airstream used many moons ago.
You must release the latch, in order to open the screen door.
Andy
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Thanks, Andy, I'll check that out when we get back. Do you have such a critter in stock that I could order from you?
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06-15-2008, 01:56 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2007 23' International CCD
Lapeer
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,080
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Our Kee Kee has learned to push the slider. Check out the picture of our little escapee on Dave Winick's door guard page (cool stuff.) custom vintage airstream travel trailers
I was thinking strong velcro tab might hold.
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06-15-2008, 02:51 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheel interested
I was thinking strong velcro tab might hold.
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is the velcro for the cat or the door? LoL
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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06-16-2008, 01:04 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isadora
Thanks, Andy, I'll check that out when we get back. Do you have such a critter in stock that I could order from you?
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Latch photo as promised.
Part # 18847.
Andy
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06-19-2008, 10:02 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1976 Argosy 24
Joplin
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,673
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Does that go on the inside or outside of the door? And what does it cost? Because when we are not inside the trailer, or asleep at night, we don't want him escaping if it can't be fastened from the outside and inside as well.
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06-20-2008, 03:22 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic Slideout
2021 33FB Classic
Colleyville
, TX
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,540
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wheel interested
Our Kee Kee has learned to push the slider. Check out the picture of our little escapee on Dave Winick's door guard page (cool stuff.) custom vintage airstream travel trailers
I was thinking strong velcro tab might hold.
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A small Velcro patch works well on our slider and completely frustrates our Tonkenese. She has yet to try manipulating the door latch shhhhhhh.
HAPPY TRAILS
__________________
In dog years, I'm dead!
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06-20-2008, 05:14 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
Chandler
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,770
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I have the latch on my 1978 Argosy. It's on the inside and works very well. The Sovereign doesn't have one which surprised me, but our little Poms can't push the screen open on the Sovereign, so as long as we push the screen completely shut, we don't have a problem. I think I'll order the latch anyway, since I travel with my husband who sometimes doesn't shut the screen. (Oops did I say that out loud?)
__________________
Judy At Home in Oklahoma
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06-20-2008, 10:08 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1976 Argosy 24
Joplin
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,673
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We are going to take a good look at the screen door and see what we think will work the best, possibly order that latch from Andy. That cat hasn't tried our slider yet, but I am sure that is only a matter of time so we are going to try to get ahead of him on that one. We will also take a good look at what we can get from the hardware store first, maybe some kind of childproof lock might work also. We'll keep you posted what we find.
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06-21-2008, 12:57 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
Chandler
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,770
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Hey Andy, how much is that latch before I call to order?
__________________
Judy At Home in Oklahoma
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06-21-2008, 08:42 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by juel
Hey Andy, how much is that latch before I call to order?
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Guess you gotta call. Sorry. Vendors rules at AIR do not allow quoting of prices. History says this is the best policy.
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06-30-2008, 12:52 PM
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#17
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New Member
1987 34' Excella
newark
, Delaware
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
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I am looking for info about the screen door latch. When the main door is open, how do you secure the screen door (ONLY) to the frame of the motorhome? I have searched home improvement stores and I can't find anything that will work. They have screen latches but the product doesn't take into consideration that when we do close the main door there is only a small space between the main door and screen door. Help is desperately needed as we leave next week and we do not want to add any mosquitoes as quest!!!:-)))
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06-30-2008, 01:30 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Classic
Oro Valley
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 835
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I fixed my problem with a little piece of chain and a hook. My door looks like AZFlycasters (without the big hole in the bottom screen ) I drilled a small hole in the plastic sliding part and attached about 8" of chain so that the sliding plastic cannot be opened wide enough for our cat to slip through but we can still reach the inside screen door latch with our fingers.
The chain is gold, small, and came in a kit with four hooks (actually 25' of chain) from Home Depot. The little bolt is about 1/8" (maybe smaller) with a hex nut.
I hook the hook to the inside "sissy handle" on the left of the entry door.
Kistler
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06-30-2008, 01:40 PM
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#19
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
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Just to let you know, the hole in the screen has been repaired. I added a shield to prevent it from happening again!
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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06-30-2008, 10:39 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1976 Argosy 24
Joplin
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,673
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The latch for the screen door on our Argosy is on the inside, it is just an ordinary screen door latch that holds it closed but can be pushed upen from the inside. I'll take pictures tomorrow. By the way, I found a screen door fastener that looks just like the one that Andy has, at Home Depot for under $5. We haven't installed it yet but I am sure it will work, I will have to open the mosquito guard to reach inside and open it, but no problem there.
The mosquito guard on our door was long gone, and it is a small size that we can't find at the RV stores, so I made one. Remembering the one on my old Spartan, which was just an aluminum slider, I made one like that out of some left over aluminum flashing, slipped it into the channel and it works fine. If it gets torn up, well, I have a roll of about 5' of flashing and I'll just make another one.
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