Stiff Hinges On Exterior Door

[BrianCriss]

We just bought a 2020 Reflection 29RS and feel like the exterior door is a little difficult to close, feels like the hinges are pretty stiff. We put a “pull bar” on the screen door but it is extremely hard to close the door without slamming it, that goes for the door in general. Anyone know of a way to loosen the door up? WD40 do anything? In time will it become easier to open/close? Appreciate any suggestions if anyone has run into the same thing.

[howson]

My '19 315RLTS' door is actually getting stiffer as time goes on. GDRV-Emily or TucsonJim or Cate&Rob or Country Campers : I've read elsewhere that Power Lube with PTFE by CRC is recommended by Grand Design for anything that requires lubrication --is that correct?

(Note: I'm testing the tag function along with trying to get an answer at the same time.)

-Howard

[Cate&Rob]

Hi Brian,

These are "friction" hinges that are purposely stiff to prevent the door from slamming open or shut. It is a love/hate thing. Some think this is a great idea . . . some not so much. The only way to get rid of this feature would be to change to regular hinges. If you do this, you will need to add a hold open latch as on earlier trailers without the friction hinges.

Rob

[TucsonJim]

howson - Your tag worked. I received an email about it. I'm curious about the issue of your door getting stiffer as time goes on. I do think you probably need to lubricate it if that is the case.
Country Campers Brian - That lube will work great. WD40 should not be used primarily for lubrication purposes.

Jim

[Country Campers]

Brian

I use ptfe lubricant. It does not penetrate like a liquid would but I think it helps. Mine is not getting stiffer , but has always been this way. I am not a fan but have grown to tolerate it.

Another Brian

[howson]

I can't quantify how stiff my door was, but here's how it sounded and note the rebound!

I hit all of the "friction" points with some PTFE. (One point is highlighted in the pictures below.)





...and there's a dramatic improvement!

[Country Campers]

Very nice howson , that sounds much better.

Brian

[Guest]

I use the CRC lube on most everything and have used this on my door hinges as well. Works well on locks, and the jacks also.

[pawsitivecampinglife]

Hi Brian,

These are "friction" hinges that are purposely stiff to prevent the door from slamming open or shut. It is a love/hate thing. Some think this is a great idea . . . some not so much. The only way to get rid of this feature would be to change to regular hinges. If you do this, you will need to add a hold open latch as on earlier trailers without the friction hinges.

Rob

I wish I had one of those catches on ours! Our "friction hinge" has hardly any friction. Doesn't take much of a breeze to swing the door back shut, usually startling the dogs and me resulting in some choice language. Guess its another thing on the to do list!

[Country Campers]

I wish I had one of those catches on ours! Our "friction hinge" has hardly any friction. Doesn't take much of a breeze to swing the door back shut, usually startling the dogs and me resulting in some choice language. Guess its another thing on the to do list!

I believe they started using the "friction" hinge sometime in late 2017, I also think I heard they quit using them sometime in 2018.
Memory, second thing that goes.

Brian

[BoneCarver]

New to the forum...if I do something wrong, please yell at me! I own a 2020 Imagine 3100RD with friction hinges on the entry door. CRC did help a bit, however, the top and bottom hinges have screws on the bottom of the hinge pins. I turned them out about a quarter of a turn...it did make a difference. I wouldn't recommend taking them out totally since I can not predict what would happen. Any thoughts from you folks would be appreciated....Thom (BoneCarver)

[howson]

New to the forum...if I do something wrong, please yell at me! I own a 2020 Imagine 3100RD with friction hinges on the entry door. CRC did help a bit, however, the top and bottom hinges have screws on the bottom of the hinge pins. I turned them out about a quarter of a turn...it did make a difference. I wouldn't recommend taking them out totally since I can not predict what would happen. Any thoughts from you folks would be appreciated....Thom (BoneCarver)

Thom,
Welcome to the forum. No problem being a newbie--hope you'll take the time to learn the idiosyncrasies of this vbulletin (that's the software driving this forum) format. There are multiple posts in the FORUM USE channel you may find informative: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/gdrv4li...ow-do-i-____-2

For the hinges--I have to get after them on occasion with another spray of the CRC. If my trailer is not level I sometimes get binding, too, or the door won't close properly. Since I don't have self-levelers (nor do you) it's annoying when the camper settles to one side at a campground with soft ground. Not a huge deal though--if it becomes too annoying and we're staying a bit I hook back up and readjust as required. (Only happened once or twice.)

Again, welcome, and thanks for the tip about the screw!

Howard

[BoneCarver]

Thank you Howard....Thom

[Gas man]

We tried the screw technique and one was broken off in other frame the other did move but no relief from stiff hinge. My dealer would need to make an appointment to LOOK at it
Does anyone know where to get regular hinges??