Friction Hinges - Lippert - Another quick mod.

[Ty J]

Added friction hinges on doors added over the weekend. Predrilled holes and simply added 2nd hinge set - along with Handle.

Yes there is a door holder on back side but have had kids around yank them off in past. (Little weary of someone not being careful)

[SeaDawg]

Nice. Did you order those from Lippert? Or Amazon?

Thanks.

[Ty J]

Compared lippert and amazon, Lippert had a sale and was cheaper, even with shipping @ time.

I love the friction hinges not sure on the longevity though.

 

[MAX Burner]

Excellent mod!  Could you send hinge serial number info to order from either Lippert or Amazon, please?  Thanks in advance, brother.

[Ty J]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R7VF5FX/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

 

 

[Ty J]

Amazon best buy now. Lippert has  the same 43.95. I purchased on sale free shipping 32.95

 

[Southbird401]

How do you install?  Are they riveted in?  Thanks.

[Ty J]

Mark, predrill then screw in sheet metal screws.

[Southbird401]

Thank you.

[MAX Burner]

On 5/14/2023 at 7:47 PM, Ty J said:

I purchased on sale free shipping 32.95

Same here...  Just ordered, free shipping - same price point.  Thanks for the vector, @Ty J

[rich.dev]

On 5/25/2023 at 12:17 AM, Ty J said:

Mark, predrill then screw in sheet metal screws.

The screws that come with the Lippert hinges are loooong, did you drill through both “layers” in the outer frame to accommodate the long screws? In my picture you can see the hole through the outside layer of the outer frame, but if you look closely there’s an inner layer (I think fibreglass) that I have to drill through to get those screws in. Thanks!

[MAX Burner]

@rich.dev @Ty J:  

FYI:  The 2 Lippert friction hinges we got from Amazon last month came with 1/2" white-painted sheetmetal screws.  We pre-drilled into the doorjamb and into the door - no issues...

We really like the "feel" of the main door and screen door when opening and closing.  The Lipperts will definitely reduce door damage in heavy wind conditions.

Thanks for sharing the information about this mod - we're very happy with it.

Cheers!

[Ty J]

I have 2021 Elite II, Did not have any issues when predrilling? I believe there was a inner layer that I drilled through. Did not notice that it was fiberglass, That is a little concerning. I want to check the screws now. Which screws did you notice it on?

 

[rich.dev]

3 hours ago, Ty J said:

Did not notice that it was fiberglass, That is a little concerning. I want to check the screws now. Which screws did you notice it on?

Done, I drilled through both layers in the door jam/outer frame. I’m not sure it’s fibreglass, but when I drilled through the 2nd layer and removed the drill bit there were what looked like white pieces stuck in the drill bit grooves. 

3 hours ago, MAX Burner said:

The 2 Lippert friction hinges we got from Amazon last month came with 1/2" white-painted sheetmetal screws.

Weird, I also got mine from Amazon and the screws were 1 3/4” long.

I drilled the additional fastener holes in the door outer frame side hinge.

 

[MAX Burner]

How do you guys like the "feel" of the door after installing the Lipperts?

[rich.dev]

15 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:

 

How do you guys like the "feel" of the door after installing the Lipperts?

 

I like it a lot, works wonderfully, I don’t have to use the latch, I can leave the door open when there is a breeze and the door stays where I put it….and no more fly away door!😊 

 

 

[MAX Burner]

23 minutes ago, rich.dev said:

….and no more fly away door!😊 

Bingo!

[SeaDawg]

Don't know if I'd trust the friction binges in high winds, but a great improvement to flying doors in milder winds.

What wind speeds have you used them in?

[MAX Burner]

@SeaDawg:  We've only had them installed for about a month or so.  They have yet to be tested in windy conditions, but the effort it takes to open and close the main hatch is equal to a few pounds of force.  The door just stays wherever you place it - we're thinking its going to be a nice upgrade in those cases when you're exiting the Ollie and not realizing the wind has kick-in and now being able to control the door.

Cheers to all!

[Galway Girl]

Thanks for the tips.

Did the mod today in < 30 minutes.

I used a 5/32" bit instead of the 11/64" the instructions suggested as having a bit more metal for the self tappers to bite into was needed.

Here's my blog post including details.

https://4-ever-hitched.com/ggs-blog/f/adding-friction-door-hinges-for-wind-protection

Craig

[jd1923]

Thanks for showing this mod and recently bringing up this old post. Just got a Amazon used "Like New" set for under $15 with tax! Awesome and thanks again.

[MAX Burner]

UPDATE:  Well, after about 8 months and 5,800+ miles of testing the Lippert hinges in various windy conditions - they all but make the outside "door hook/latch" obsolete.  We no longer use it to prop the door open anymore, FYI.  

As @Patriot might opine...  a "sano mod"!  HA!

Cheers, All!

[jd1923]

On 2/15/2024 at 6:21 AM, MAX Burner said:

...they all but make the outside "door hook/latch" obsolete.  We no longer use it to prop the door open anymore...

Installed our like-new Amazon set today. Amazon "like new" means somebody opened the box, retaped and returned it. Don't need to drill holes in the door or door jamb. The supplied 1 3/4" white-headed self-taping screws with square-bit drive were awesome. I have often pre-drilled for "self-taping screws", but these were sharp and strong of high quality, good hardware. You need a good 1/4" impact driver, no template, just center and get the first hole right.

But WTF with this manufacturer drilling most, but not all the holes required for the install? Rarely or never have I run into this kind of BS. They put 3 pre-drilled holes in the two leaves mounting to the door, but only one pre-drilled hole on each of the three leaves mounting to the door jamb. Also, there was not enough screws supplied for all the screw holes suggested. I drilled one extra hole in each door jamb leaf (2 total vs. 3 per the instructions). This way there are 6 screws in the door and 6 in the door jamb to hold each hinge. I had just enough screws, with one left over! Nothing like a door with 5 hinges! It does hold steady wherever you put it.

Can't stand the hold-open door latches on RVs and trailers. I always forget they're latched and then I shut the door, over and over again! Did somebody break the stock one on our hull, or did these come with only a very thin wire hook? Somebody must have broken ours before I got a chance to do so! I will be removing ours next. This way I'm certain it's not latched. Thanks again, what a nice mod! Heard about the friction hinge mod just 2 days ago and it's already installed for pennies.

[ScubaRx]

@MAX Burner After seeing and operating your door at Q a few weeks ago, I’m convinced it would take a 40 mph wind to move the door and equally convinced it would never be slammed or jerked out of your hand by less than hurricane force winds. 
 

Another owner showed up the day after you left with an uninstalled set of these hinges. They were so tight I could not open them with my hands. @jd1923 I agree with your assessment about the lack of holes in one half of the hinge. 

[jd1923]

12 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

... Another owner showed up the day after you left with an uninstalled set of these hinges. They were so tight I could not open them with my hands...

Uninstalled, it does take a bit of a push to move one leaf 90 to the other on the hinge by hand. When mounted the door moves firmly and nicely. Can't imagine taking it off for not liking it. That guy now has 30 holes in his door and jamb!