Fly Away Doors

[Jim Edgerly]

OK guys, time to provide me with more input. How to you keep your doors from flying away in a stiff wind? I don't want to open my door only to have a heavy wind take it away from me and slam it into the side of my TD...especially if the crank out window is half way open (i.e. serious damage to TD side and window). I have considered using a safety chain similar to the kind you see on aluminum storm doors on your house so that the door can only open just slightly past 90 degrees. How does everybody else ensure you don't have a run-a-way door situation?

[48Rob]

Hi Jim,

I use a "safety chain" of sorts on mine.
It is a piece of heavy canvas strapping.
It attaches to the door, and door jamb, or wall and prevents the door from going too far.
On other trailers I have used leather straps.

Rob

[ERV]

Jim
I do the same, a strap and I also put a small handle on it so it doesn't get away from me. When we want to keep it open there is a latch on the side to hold it open.

[madjack]

...same here...I cut a couple of nylon straps off of a set of ratcheting tie downs and using a trim washer screwed it to the door and inside wall...works great and when we wanna leave the door open for show and tell we hook a bungee to the door and trailer frame, pulling against the straps.............
madjack

[mvperini]

I use a stainless steel chain with a clear rubber cover, was a chain on one of the doors on a piece of equipment i used work on, junking out the equipment i will check and see if we have anymore





Mike

[Woodbutcher]

I got 2 sets of seat belts at a junk yard. Then I screwed through a metal strap to hold both ends in place. I can easily remove my doors if I need to by unbuckling the belt. Works well, it's strong and cheap.

[Big Dan]

I make myself aware of the wind conditions and I'm careful when opening the door. A friend pulled into a gastation on a real windy day in his 36ft motorhome and instead of parking nose to the wind. He parked the other way and the driverdoor flew open so hard it broke the windshield.Spendy mistake.

[Jim Edgerly]

Thank you everybody. Pictures are always most welcomed and I appreciate them...I'm a visual sorta of guy (if any of you've checked my build journal you'll know what I mean).

[aggie79]

Jim,

Thanks for asking the question. I've found out about something I need to do to my teardrop.

Take care,
Tom