By Gail Marsh
It’s one of the most often used parts on your RV. Your entry door(s), that is. There are many ways to make your RV door work better for you. Check out these RV entry/exit door tips and hints.
Add a door latch
RVers who travel with small children often wonder: What if the toddler opens the RV door and falls down the steps? What if one of the children opens the door and the dog escapes? These problems can easily be solved by installing an additional door latch.
The challenge with adding a latch is that most RV doorframes are quite narrow. Too narrow, in fact, to accommodate a deadbolt or many other locks. We’ve made our RV door better by adding a sash lock to the door and frame. A sash lock is normally used to secure double-hung windows. This lock is perfect for RV doors because it only requires two small screws for each of the two components.
You’ll want to think carefully before permanently attaching the sash lock. Place it higher than your toddler can reach, but not so high that an adult or mature child struggles to open the lock. (In an emergency situation, quick escape is vital.) So, ask family members to stand at the door and demonstrate their arm’s reach. Then you’ll know where to install the sash lock.
Replace the standard exterior lock
We quickly learned that our RV’s lock was not unique to our rig. A neighbor accidentally locked himself out of his RV and asked if he could use our keys! I was shocked as I watched him unlock his RV door with them. We immediately researched products to replace the standard RV exterior lock.
For security reasons and peace of mind, we installed an RVLock brand keyless lock system on our RV. There are several different brands to choose from on Amazon.
I like not having to worry about lost keys. We simply use a keypad for effortless entry through our RV’s door. We even have remotes! I like that we can unlock the RV door remotely, especially when dashing from our truck to the RV. No more fumbling with keys in the pouring rain.
RV door screen protection
We love the fresh air that comes through our RV’s screen door. We don’t love that a dog or a small child can easily push through the screen! There are several different methods for protecting your RV’s screen door.
- Plexiglass. Some folks cut plexiglass to size and then mount it directly to the lower half of the screen door with screws. You can buy plexiglass at The Home Depot or Lowe’s, as well as other hardware stores. Most also carry plexiglass cutting tools—useful if your door requires a non-standard plexi size.
- Lattice. Your local hardware store may also carry lattice. Facebook friends didn’t want to lose any air movement coming through their doorway by using plexiglass. Instead, they cut lattice to fit the bottom half of their RV’s screen door and attached it directly over the interior of the screen. Not only does the lattice prevent dogs from tearing the screen, but none of the fresh air is blocked.
- Decorative screen grate. Lippert, Camco, and others have metal grates that fit over the RV’s screen door. These may be more costly than the DIY options mentioned but are great for folks who don’t feel comfortable with DIY projects. This one from Lippert requires no additional hardware. It slips into the existing door channel.
Easy close
If your RV’s entry door must be slammed in order for you to close it completely, you need to read this article! The door or door latch may simply need to be realigned. Take the time to make the necessary adjustments. Your RV neighbors will thank you!
Push bar
Another way to make your RV’s screen door better is to install a push bar. Push bars come in a variety of styles and prices and are usually horizontally attached at the level where you normally push to open the door. Push bars enable you to open the door from the inside without exerting pressure on the screen. Here are some examples of push bars.
Doorbell camera
I wish RV manufacturers installed peepholes into their entrance doors. I haven’t seen one yet! We looked into buying and installing an after-market peephole but decided to go with something easier and less expensive, too.
We bought a Blink video doorbell. However, we did not purchase the Sync Module 2, so the live view and two-way radio are activated only when the device detects movement, or the doorbell is pushed. It works great!
There are many, many similar products with a variety of features, but this one works well for us. I feel safer knowing who’s at the RV door before opening it. Maybe you will, too.
Maintenance
As with almost every RV component, your RV door should be checked and maintained regularly.
- Seals. Examine the seals all around the doorway. Clean the seals with dish soap and warm water. Dry with a microfiber cloth. Then treat the seals with 303 Aerospace Protectant. This will protect the seals from UV rays and help prolong the life of the seals. Follow directions carefully.
- Hinges. Clean your RV’s door hinges using a clean, damp rag. Dry thoroughly. Adjust, tighten and/or lubricate the hinges as needed. (Use a dry lubricant, so dust and dirt won’t be attracted to and stick to the hinges.)
How have you made the most of your RV entry door? Tell us in the comments below.
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##RVT1197
Our Trimark OEM lock broke, trapping me inside the RV. I had a Bauer lock that I had been unable to correctly install on previous RV. Installed on this one. With very minor modification, it is now installed in door. Key pad, app access, close field. Who knew a door could be so user friendly?
Made a lattice screen protector for our screen door. Attaches in place with magnets. Keeps cats in the inside of RV.
I haven’t arrived at lusting after a keyless entry yet. Being the old-fashioned old guy that I am, I still prefer a key.
And don’t those ppl still have to carry a key incase the battery dies while away? Only benefit I see is being able to unlock while sitting in vehicle when raining.
I get what you’re saying, but I’m pretty sure RVLock wireless sets all come with a key function that’s intended as a backup. No reason you can’t use the key all the time if you wanted to. The main reason we did the upgrade was to get a lock that was unique. To be honest, I can’t say how many combinations RVLock has compared to the standard locks that come in new RV’s, but things I’ve read on “the internets” leads me to believe it’s a big difference. And lets face it, “the internets” is never wrong! LOL
We keep a set of keys hidden in a very discreet place accessible from outside, and another set locked in the truck.
All the locks on our TT are keyed the same with a Global key, even the compartments.
Very little chance of someone having the same key, unless they have the master. But that will only unlock the latch and not the deadbolt.
Since it’s a toy hauler, even if the door latch fails while we are outside, we can open the ramp.
I don’t understand why the screen door needs to have screening from top to bottom, It makes the door very flimsy and doesn’t save any weight.
A solid panel or plexiglass on the bottom would strengthen the door. If you want more air flow, open a window.
When you have to start slamming the door, squirt some silicone spray on the strike plate.
Thank you for the discussion and many suggestions, Gail! Have a great week and safe travels!
Lippert screen defender keeps our Pittie in the trailer and the screen safe. But I think it will only fit the lippert door.
Followed the link to Amazon…”Screen Defender” by Lippert. $73. no thanks.
But a screen push bar for $13 is a must have!
Two items: Camco 44133 Screen Door Closure Kit – You might be able to make your own, but at $13, why bother? We have this on both our RV’s. When your hands are full, the door is closed behind you so pets/kids can’t easily follow.#2- if you have an exterior folding door handle (many RVs do), just close it over the screen door. It will keep pets/kids from activating the screen door latch and just pushing out. Contrary to some stories, it IS possible for an adult to push this latch open from the inside in an emergency. If yours isn’t quite as easy as you want, just file the mounting blocks’ top corners a little to round them off.
I highly recommend replacing the universal locks on any RV doors along with all the baggage doors. There are several manufacturers of good quality RV locks…all with their own key matched to that lock and no others. These better locks can all be keyed alike so you don’t need a hand full of keys…only one for all locks…and not your neighbors. In today’s world…watching your six can not be emphasized enough.
I knew about most of these, but that Blink doorbell is genius Gail. Thank you!
For the door being hard to close is most likely the latch and barrel needing lubrication, but using silicon is okay though it doesn’t last long especially after raining. Problem with the door locks offered by amazon, all manufacturers use plastic for the locking actuator, the red lever. My original rv lock had a metal lever…
After finding the door open several times I did a little measuring and found the latch plate was 3/8″ too high. I drilled new holes and used longer screws to lower it. Works amazingly better now.
Twice during our RV years we have had the door latch jam closed after we closed it and could not open it. Turns out that a cheap pot metal part on the inside latch broke and would not allow the door latch open. We finally found a cheap retrofit kit to replace the inside pot metal part and spring.