Door bumpers - long vs. short

[Neal]

There was discussion sometime ago maybe on another forum about door closing on Newmar coaches, some requiring a slam for the travel position, etc. Some have adjusted the lock catch via the PTL web site and a different catch that some may not have which I bought and have not and most likely will not install (too much effort and some risk). I got the shorter bumpers that go between the door and screen door from PTL.

The problem I've experienced with the shorter bumpers is it is allowing some play between the door and screen door which can cause some rattling. Obviously this all depends on your particular setup but for me the shorter bumpers were not an improvement. When my outer door is shut, which does take a bit of a slam effort, I want the bumpers touching and pushing against the screen door assembly to avoid any rattling while driving.

Moral is shorter bumpers may not be the best fit, there is a reason Newmar installed the longer bumpers and in my case it was the right choice.

 

[Neal]

Today's drive had zero screen door rattle. Long bumpers are what mine needs.

 

[stang37]

I went the old fashion way. I sanded the long bumpers down until I got the fit I needed. It took several times sanding and trying but it worked.

 

[Richpatty]

I took mine bumpers off and still could hardly close my door to the second catch....will fix it someday...

 

[JRW-NAW]

I have 2 short and 1 long (top)...works for me.

 

[stang37]

As a side note I still have a hard time closing the door. But I did find that if I open the drivers window about 2 inches it much easier to close. Guess the motorhome is fairly tight.

 

[JV2LY]

Good morning. I am nee to rvforums. I came here from another forum referral (irv2). I have a 2017 Newmar Baystar model 3401 and while traveling down these crazy CA highways, the side door continuously rattles. What is the best solution without having to change the whole locking system. Thanks for your advice.

 

[JV2LY]

Today's drive had zero screen door rattle. Long bumpers are what mine needs.

My Baystar has a lot of play in the door and screen. I have to push the door inward to lock the deadbolt. I'm not sure what the long and short bumpers are or where to get them but it seems that if I had extra Cushing or weatherstripping it wouldn't rattle.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

Ditto on the long bumpers. However, I'm always afraid I'm going to break things though as I slam the door closed as hard as I can before driving off in my almost new 2023 rig. Otherwise I can tell it isn't closed all the way due to wind noise... Then there are the basement doors that have to be slammed shut to even latch (vs my previous Tiffin rig bay doors that just seemed to work).

Best,
-Mark

 

[J&JD]

My Baystar has a lot of play in the door and screen. I have to push the door inward to lock the deadbolt. I'm not sure what the long and short bumpers are or where to get them but it seems that if I had extra Cushing or weatherstripping it wouldn't rattle.

If you have to push the door inward to use the deadbolt then the door is not closed to its “second” position. Many of these doors have to be closed quite hard to get them to their fully sealed position. That’s certainly how mine works.

 

[JBright11]

The tech added longer bumpers to my screen door on my visit to Nappanee a couple of weeks ago.
Much better on the drive home.

Yes, I have to shut the door very hard to engage the 2nd lock and the tech stated that is how Newmar doors "should" be.

 

[Richpatty]

I can hardly get mine to the second latch…. I think I have done it twice since I own it (7+ years). I even took the bumpers off without luck.

I think would have to remove the latch and adjust, but since you have to remove the trim pieces, I have never bothered.

 

[JV2LY]

So where does one go to buy these longer bumpers? I have seen 1" bumpers on trailer.com. is this the "longer" ones?

 

[DennisT]

The tech added longer bumpers to my screen door on my visit to Nappanee a couple of weeks ago.
Much better on the drive home.

Yes, I have to shut the door very hard to engage the 2nd lock and the tech stated that is how Newmar doors "should" be.

Yes, told us there are two - first one is the “camping” lock that you get easily shutting the door.

Second needs the “Newmar slam” as they put it to engage for travel.

 

[Neemer]

My Nappanee tech somehow adjusted my door so that I don’t have to slam it to get it fully engaged. If going to the mothership, the tech to see is Shorty Troy.

 

[Roadglide117]

If you have to push the door inward to use the deadbolt then the door is not closed to its “second” position. Many of these doors have to be closed quite hard to get them to their fully sealed position. That’s certainly how mine works.

I was told with mine for travel you have to give it the "Amish slam"....not sure where they define that at ...but a good slam and making sure goes to 2nd latch and mine does not rattle.

 

[Richpatty]

I won’t do the heavy slam as I really worry about damage to the doors window or even the mechanism.

 

[J&JD]

I won’t do the heavy slam as I really worry about damage to the doors window or even the mechanism.

We only give the door a relatively hard close when we are ready for travel. The rest of the time the door is closed lightly. This has worked for 7 years and 70k miles with no ill effects. We call the closes the “travel close” and the “camping close”.

 

[bmtcpa10]

I used car door weather stripping. Worked great.

 

[JV2LY]

I purchased two 1" bumpers from my local rv dealer at a cost of $5 each. they were a little long, so I sanded them to 13/16" and they cured the rattle.