new sceen door...

[Devil Dog]

I just seen a infomercial with that magic mesh gadget. Looks sort of idiot proof.
Would suit the dog and I to a tee.

[Garand]

Looks like a good idea, but it got some bad reviews on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Mesh-Han...owViewpoints=1

[Donna D.]

Weave a piece of bright color thread through the holes in the screen, or dental floss right at eye level... both heights.. outside the trailer and inside the trailer. If you're really talented you could make a design!

[Garand]

Thanks Donna...I'm going to weave an accurate representation of a piece of string going horizontally from left to right!

Good suggestion, in spite of my silliness.

Dave

[escape artist]

Hi: Garand... How about one of those Hallmark Christmas Gift thingys that says "Open Me First"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by Hokie Escape

The screen door works great, out of the way, and it seals nice. Like Al said, the latching mechanism is different and takes some getting used to, but adding a handle, inside and out, helps to hold on to it a bit better, and allows the latch to work more easily. These handle are very inexpensive from Lowe's or Home Depot.

I got the same handles as you. One thing you have to remember when installing a handle through the door is that there is a strap and some plastic pieces that run up the inside of the door frame as the door is opened or closed. If you drill through the door frame and install screws or bolts for a handle, you could potentially damage this mechanism, or just impede its operation. Don't ask me how I know this. In my case, I decided to install my handles a little lower than yours, as my big meaty fingers could not easily go through the handle and activate the latch at the same time. It turns out that the interior mechanism is more substantial a little lower down than at the latch itself, and there is less room for bolts or screws to fit. I was very very lucky in that I came very close to destroying the door. However, a little fiddling with it and it seems to work ok now, but you do have to be very careful if you do this mod.

[rvomaha]

We like the screen door very much and did not add a handle. We quickly got used to pushing the door shut right next to the little arrow in the picture above. --Liz

[Jim Bennett]

Us too Liz. We did consider it, but it is real easy to use without, so have not done it yet.

[Donna D.]

Hummm, maybe instead of screws, etc. it would be better to use 3M VHB tape? May need to find a handle that has more surface area where it attaches to the screen door. But, at least then... no need to worry about drilling where you shouldn't!

[Trees]

Is there any Command hook gizmo that could be used for a handle so you wouldn't have to drill.... Love those on our present camper & sailboat

[float5]

I have managed to walk into the screen door quite a few times but my husband is good at getting it back on track when I goof it up. I bought flossing thread way back but have yet to put it in.

[Dave Walter]

The flexible chain of black plastic pieces on the bottom of the screen will retract into the leading edge of the screen door when it is opened.

This component will rise up to about the mid-point of the door. If you drill through the door to install handles, there is some risk that your drill may damage the screen guides. When I drilled my door, the bit broke a string that is used to hold all of the little plastic pieces in the chain together. I ended up taking the door completely apart and tying the chain back together with a new piece of string. Since the original door was made for a wider opening than that in the Escape, I was able to remove about 5 links from the chain such that it did not rise as high into the door when it was opened. After reinstalling everything, it works great.

[jpriest]

OK, first trip out with my 5.0 and my lab went through the retractible screen door. It ripped out the screen about 5 inches up the side. Now I thought these doors self repair, but this one did not. Is this easy to repair, or am going to have to take this in to an RV repair place or worse yet, replace the door?

[Dave Walter]

You can order replacement parts for your Vista Plus retractable screen door from the factory.


The website is found at SEIKI SCREEN SYSTEMS | Replacement Parts

[jpriest]

Thanks for the screen link!

[NuthatchBC]

To avoid these mishaps, use an Escape Screen Saver. Put this in the search box to see an example. It sure works for us. It was a real hit at the rally as well.

Doug

[jpriest]

Doug
Can you possible send the link. I'm just getting lots of Ford escape PC screen savers with this search choice. Thanks
Jeanette

[Jrn56]

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...aver-2303.html

[techfan]

Another idea... We made a simple stencil and applied craft acrylic paint with a small brush. It dries in 15 minutes and adheres to the screen material.

[Jrn56]

Originally Posted by techfan

Another idea... We made a simple stencil and applied craft acrylic paint with a small brush. It dries in 15 minutes and adheres to the screen material.

That sounds a little quicker than the thread idea. I could probably have my daughter do something creative with this.

John