Friction Hinges

[DT6]

We installed them on our 21C about a year ago and we would never go back. We have been in some windy weather recently on our trip to Banff and they held up well. Even if a wind gust hits the door, it does not move violently. I'm not great at guessing wind speeds, but it was pretty windy at a stop we made a few weeks ago and the door moved about a foot or so, but again not very fast (it would not have hurt anyone).

I did a similar mod like JohnK did to the bottom door brush. Originally I did it to keep out snakes, but one forum member wrote up a great reply that the problem is actually keeping mice out. If you keep the mice out, the snakes are not much interested.

To do this I went to Lowes and bought a piece of Luan (it is a very thin sheet of plywood). I painted it white and added velcro to each side and stick it in place. I've never had to mess with it since, and am very happy with the entire friction hinge mod.

[grantpallen]

Mine came with friction hinges. Had no problems with them. I was glad to be rid of all the hardware they had to keep it open. Have no idea why they quit installing them as standard equipment.

[sameo416]

Put friction hinges on our 5.0 this year and really like them.

In a wind with the cylinder, the door would sometimes partly close then open. That’s mostly eliminated.

One time in a storm with higher winds the door moved a few inches.

It opens very wide. Haven’t tried flat against the trailer yet.

I left the piston in place for the first year to see how things worked. I’ll be removing it next year I think.

[CE Vogel]

My ATC trailer came factory equipped with friction hinges. The very first trip out, the wind caught the door while I was carrying something in, and the screen door had a hole torn in it. Admittedly, my door is significantly larger and heavier than an Escape door and is more vulnerable to wind. I installed a door holder from Camping World like this and problem solved. Make sure you screw into framing in both the door and trailer, otherwise the screws will pull out of the fiberglass.
https://www.campingworld.com/jr-prod...der-92111.html

[joebuoy]

I'm activating a little older thread instead creating a new thread.

I installed the Lippert friction hinges today on our 2023 E19. After removing the gas strut, I now have 3 screw holes in the threshold. I filed down the rough spots around the holes. Now what to do with the holes? Leave the holes and don't worry about the holes? Did anybody cover or fill the holes? If so what did you use or do?

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by joebuoy

I'm activating a little older thread instead creating a new thread.

I installed the Lippert friction hinges today on our 2023 E19. After removing the gas strut, I now have 3 screw holes in the threshold. I filed down the rough spots around the holes. Now what to do with the holes? Leave the holes and don't worry about the holes? Did anybody cover or fill the holes? If so what did you use or do?

I'm happy with our gas-strut hinge (had to replace it recently, after hitting a canopy leg with the door open), but if I had such holes I'd throw in a few sheet-metal screws, and call it a day.

[jack sparrow]

I heard that MrLynn, I was going to say the same thing. Put the screws you took out back into those holes and call it a day.


P.s. Never know....... you might go back to the gas strut one day


Cheers to ya...... and Happy Trails........ Jack

[sofmerc]

what problem is the friction hinge trying to solve?

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

what problem is the friction hinge trying to solve?

Stop the door from closing on you when entering or exiting with your hands holding items.

Allows the door to be opened 180* and "parked" next to the shell.

Ron

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

what problem is the friction hinge trying to solve?

Also, friction hinges allow for the removal of the strut and blocking off that strut stowage space underneath the closed screen door. I always referred to this space as “the snake entrance”. Thanks to the friction hinges that space is now closed off on our trailer.

John

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Stop the door from closing on you when entering or exiting with your hands holding items.

Allows the door to be opened 180* and "parked" next to the shell.

Ron

Our standard gas-strut door stops at 90º and stays open, so no problem carrying stuff in.

[Ron in BC]

My bad, maybe I was thinking of my Scamp door blowing closed when I didn't want it to.

The ability to park it against the trailer side when set up in warm weather and not having it sticking straight out under the awning space is a huge improvement for me.

Ron