We have been seeing several posts about securing the cabinet doors, refrigerator door and now the table when traveling. Does door opening while travel happen often? Is there a consolidated list for prepping the inside for travel? Should we be buying straps and brackets before we pick up our new Escape in a couple of weeks?
I replaced the door catches on the cabinets, have not had anything open on the Escape since. I however do not drive on a lot of dirt roads like some do. We also secure the table top so it can't slide as well as the sliding shelf we have.
On my last trailer the microwave opened on a very bad road causing some damage. We now store away the MW plate for travel. The TV rides in it's box in the loft (fifth wheel), not that it ever comes out of the box.
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
Easy on a 19. We used two kid locks on the cabinets under the sink and one 3' bungee. We hook one end on the cabinet handle above the microwave, run it across the front of the refrig and wardrobe door and loop it around the bath door. Takes a second or two and protects things.
Yep, we've had doors pop open and had to replace the bathroom door hinges.
I did put a thin spacer behind the bathroom door latch so the lock would have a little more "meat" to bite into and used a little longer screws to hold it better.
Never fooled with the tv. All tolled, 35-40k miles and never had a problem with the tv.
Greg
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I picked up mine and towed bsck to FL by way of Ontario (about 6,000 miles total) and nothing came undone. I have only added items since then as a precautionary measure. I do, however, avoid rough roads.
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What a long strange trip it’s been!
That is the simplest way to prevent things from flying around in the trailer. And, when the rough road can't be avoided, I make a point of slowing down - way down.
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We secure any double doors with ball-bungees cords or mini-bungees. (We also use the ball-bungees to secure the awning ... just in case.) We use a long bungee hooked to the TV mount to the handle on the closet/cabinet to secure the door on the refrigerator (this after cleaning up a dozen eggs off the floor). We do remove the TV from the mount while driving; however, twice now, the TV has "jumped" off the bed and we found it hanging by the cords so now we place the TV way to the back of the bed.
Considering the condition of some items in the trailer after traveling for a distance (and not over dirt/bumpy roads), we concur with Greggo's assessment of the 9.0 earthquake scenario.
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Jan We do not remember days, we remember moments.
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Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Got my bungee's at Canadian Tire. They have plastic hook ends. I'd recommend NOT using those cheap metal hook bungees ( Coghlans ), fearing they would do significant damage to surfaces.
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Ouch! Great thread, should be required reading for all. Hadn't really thought about all the bad things that could happen if items in the trailer aren't properly locked down and secured. Thanks to all who shared their stories.
I haven't heard(seen) it mentioned in a long time,
but we have a piece of rope for around the front top
of the awning arm and bracket, when on the road,
just for security and peace-of-mind. It works!
A bungee or similar would also work.