Baby-proofing: screen door grille

[Chuck]

anyone know where I can get one? they have one at CW, but they want 35 bucks for it highway robbery, imo. I saw a couple in the hardware store for 20 bucks, but they're meant for house-doors, and they're too big. in another RV catalog, there were several models...even more $$$ than CW!

While I'm on the subject, the screen door on my unit "latches" with a simple roller-ball springy thingamajig; not really secure, as it can be pushed open easily, even by a toddler. (guess how I know this ). need something that'll latch it securely. any thoughts?

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by chuck

anyone know where I can get one? they have one at CW, but they want 35 bucks for it highway robbery, imo. I saw a couple in the hardware store for 20 bucks, but they're meant for house-doors, and they're too big. in another RV catalog, there were several models...even more $$$ than CW!

While I'm on the subject, the screen door on my unit "latches" with a simple roller-ball springy thingamajig; not really secure, as it can be pushed open easily, even by a toddler. (guess how I know this ). need something that'll latch it securely. any thoughts?

Use a barrel type latch, that slides in and out of a catch. Make sure it is out of reach of the toddler.
Terry

[thenewkid64]

Here is a less expensive one

http://doityourself.com/store/6535124.htm

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by thenewkid64

Here is a less expensive one

http://doityourself.com/store/6535124.htm

yeah, that's the sort of thing I was thinking about for the door catch. there's already one of those on the exterior door to hold the screen door to it; looks like a PO might have added it. It would have to be that narrow to fit on the 1/2 inch frame rails of the screen door. no where else to attach anything with a screw or rivet that won't protrude out the front of the door, and look unsightly.

[yukionna]

Here is a photo of a OEM screen door lock from my '02 Bambi.

[Chuck]

thanks for posting that, Nancy. I figured out as soon as I got home the other night that it wouldn't work, though. your screen door is off-set from the main door, and there's a space between them when they're latched together. mine has "0" clearance. the screen lays flat up against the exterior door. so any latch would have to go on the inside of the door. and on the inside, there's no place to attach that "striker" plate.

speaking of babies...did Brian get those baby-moons to fit?

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by chuck

...speaking of babies...did Brian get those baby-moons to fit?

No, not yet but he hasn't had an opportunity to try yet. We arrived home from camping in the early afternoon on Sunday and he dove back into buffing for the remainder of the day.

[nickcrowhurst]

Chuck, I bought a standard small screen from Home Depot. It was the right height, but slightly too wide.I removed a piece of the edge trim, cut the screen to width, and replaced the edge trim. I prefer its looks, and its cost, to the regular Airstream factory screen. It covers the lower half of the screen door, just where a 2 year old likes to lean. NicK.

[Chuck]

thanks for the tip. was this a "window screen" or a rigid "grill" like thing?

HD was the last place I thought to look...it always seems like when I'm looking for something particular for an unusual task...they don't have it. I guess you never know...

[nickcrowhurst]

Chuck, this was a rigid pierced aluminum screen from the "doors and windows " section of HD. Its height is about the same as the lower section of the factory 2 section screen, covering just the lower ventilated section of the screen door. Its a more subtle pattern than the standard one. I'm 4000 miles from my trailer, so I can't send a photo. On my Exccella, there is a dead bolt for extra security on the main door. When an internal knob is turned, a tongue slides out of the frame into the edge of the door. When, in warm weather, only the screen door is closed, this tongue traps the screen door and prevents a 2 year old from escaping, so no other latch is required. Nick.