Door Frozen Shut!

[NW Cat Owner]

Okay, any suggestions on the best way to get the stinking door open? Most likely it's frozen shut due to our unusually cold snap we're having right now. It unlocks and the handle pulls out, but the door itself won't open. Unfortunately the sun doesn't hit that side of the trailer, so can't count on solar to unfreeze it.


Jeez. Now I'm wondering about the doors on the Tundra and FJ.

[citabria90]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

Okay, any suggestions on the best way to get the stinking door open? Most likely it's frozen shut due to our unusually cold snap we're having right now. It unlocks and the handle pulls out, but the door itself won't open. Unfortunately the sun doesn't hit that side of the trailer, so can't count on solar to unfreeze it.


Jeez. Now I'm wondering about the doors on the Tundra and FJ.

Wait until spring!

Chuck

[reetired]

Once the temp rises...it should let loose.
Happens with the back hatch of our Ford Explorer and the regulator on our generator and BBQ!
If you absolutely have to get inside..use a hair dryer on low..once it opens..wipe the gasket dry.
Note to self: park trailer in opposite direction next year.

[Ronn]

Originally Posted by citabria90

Wait until spring!

Chuck

Thanks for the Chuckle, Chuck

[AKCamper]

This happens to cars periodically. When you get the door open and the gasket dry, spray the gasket with silicone (I like the CRC brand). This helps keep the moisture out of the gasket.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by reetired

Once the temp rises...it should let loose.

If you absolutely have to get inside..use a hair dryer on low..once it opens..wipe the gasket dry.



Note to self: park trailer in opposite direction next year.

Can't park it any other direction as I have to back down a steep driveway and there isn't any room to move it around.


Yeah, I was thinking of the hair dryer. Now to find it since I haven't used one in years and years and years.

Originally Posted by AKCamper

This happens to cars periodically. When you get the door open and the gasket dry, spray the gasket with silicone (I like the CRC brand). This helps keep the moisture out of the gasket.

I believe we have some of that spray around, so thanks for that tip. We rarely get this cold of weather around the Seattle area, so not used to thinking in these terms.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by citabria90

Wait until spring!

Yeah, well, by then I'll be out of here for over a month! (Well, a few days after the official start of Spring and I want to take at least one trip before that.) I know you're joking, but I do want to get out there to check on things that I was working on before the below zero temperatures came along.

[Farther]

I would recommend waiting a few days before you do anything. Is getting into the trailer right now worth damaging the weatherstripping.

[reetired]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

Can't park it any other direction as I have to back down a steep driveway and there isn't any room to move it around.


Yeah, I was thinking of the hair dryer. Now to find it since I haven't used one in years and years and years.





I believe we have some of that spray around, so thanks for that tip. We rarely get this cold of weather around the Seattle area, so not used to thinking in these terms.

While you're at it...keep an eye out for that 50 ft green extension cord!

[stratos175]

I don't think it would hurt to put some warm water in a spay bottle and try spraying it around the edges. Maybe even soak a small towel in warm water and run it down the seams.

Enjoy the journey.

Steve

[AKCamper]

I think if I were going to use the hot water method I would use a full bucket of warm water poured over the top If you can’t wait, otherwise just wait.

[stratos175]

Only reason I did not suggest full bucket of warm water is don't want that to then refreeze. Hope you get it open

Enjoy the journey.

Steve

[NW Cat Owner]

Dirk's gonna try it when he gets home as he has more umph than I do. Otherwise it'll wait till it warms up. I was just annoyed it was frozen as I planned to start shoving stuff in there and all that. Check the liquid level in the pellet container thingie that absorbs moisture. Oh well, least I could open the access door and pull out the electrical cord so I could charge up the batteries. Heck if I know how much they're down! But they should be fully charged by now.

[cpaharley2008]

WE always coated the gasket with vaseline in the winter, but the silicone will not hurt.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

Dirk's gonna try it when he gets home as he has more umph than I do. Otherwise it'll wait till it warms up. I was just annoyed it was frozen as I planned to start shoving stuff in there and all that. Check the liquid level in the pellet container thingie that absorbs moisture. Oh well, least I could open the access door and pull out the electrical cord so I could charge up the batteries. Heck if I know how much they're down! But they should be fully charged by now.

I would try the hair dryer personally.

PS I sometimes wonder if you try to use “thingie” and “heck if I know” in your responses just to get under gbaglo’s skin.

[AKCamper]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

I would try the hair dryer personally.

PS I sometimes wonder if you try to use “thingie” and “heck if I know” in your responses just to get under gbaglo’s skin.

Only reason for water instead of a hair dryer is that you could hurt the decals or possibly the gelcoat if you were really aggressive with a hair dryer while warm water won’t hurt a thing.A bucket of warm water will thaw the whole thing out and quick use of a bath towel will remove the excess water before it turns to ice. Living in Alaska I’ve had a few frozen car doors.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

PS I sometimes wonder if you try to use “thingie” and “heck if I know” in your responses just to get under gbaglo’s skin.

Nope, never. Not me. You must be confusing me with someone else. (And I have seen a few other folks use "thingie" and "thingy" in their posts. But I'm not pointing fingers. )



Update, it opened very easily for Dirk. Of course it had probably thawed by that point so he wondered why I had problems. (Same thing always happens with the computer.)


Battery fully charged. Water absorbing container still with lots of room. Bunch of stuff now wadded in there. Awaiting the next snow storm this weekend. Oh joy.

[PGDriver]

Make sense, I guess.

[NW Cat Owner]

[Chotch]

&#128514id you use the right gadget to turn the widget?