How to Fix a Stuck Camper Shell Handle

How to Fix a Stuck Camper Shell Handle
Your camper or pop-up is an investment, not just financially, but also for your cherished free time and vacation days. Like any piece of equipment and gear, items on the pop-up or camper break or need to be adjusted, fixed and mended. Stuck handles on the pop-up are frustrating, as they may be the difference between getting into your camper or not. Stuck handles on doors tend to be symptoms of dried out grease and lubricants, or swelling due to heat and humidity. Knowing how to fix these minor annoyances gets you back into your camper and happily enjoying your time in the outdoors.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Small flat-head screwdriver
  • WD-40
  • Graphite key lubricant
  • Paper towels
  • Phillips screwdriver (optional)
  • Replacement handle and latch (optional)
Step 1
Wiggle the handle to listen and feel where the problem is. If the door is open, look at the mechanism on the side of the door where the handle moves the latch. Check to see if the latch, which consists of two small pieces of black rubber that look like jigsaw-puzzle pieces, is stuck.
Step 2
Place the tip of flat-head screwdriver in the latch in the space between the two rubber pieces, taking care not to put it directly on the rubber, as the screwdriver might rip the rubber pieces. With one hand on the handle of the screwdriver and one hand over the tip of the screwdriver and the rubber latch pieces, gently push down on the handle, trying to move the latch mechanism.
Step 3
Jiggle the handle if the mechanism pushes down. If the handle is now free, move the latch mechanism properly. Do not close the door.
Step 4
Spray the solvent on the handle/latch doorjamb catch piece, which looks like a small brass or flat-screw set on the inside of the doorjamb where the handle is parallel to it. Wipe it down after 15 minutes with a paper towel. Apply a small amount of the graphite key lubricant to the catch and the rubber pieces.
Step 5
Close and open the door several times with the handle. Check that the handle is operating properly. If it is still sticky, add one more coat of the graphite lubricant, then close and open the door several more times until the handle moves smoothly and efficiently.

Tips & Warnings

 
Be careful when pushing the rubber mechanisms with the flat-head screwdriver. Keep one hand over the rubber pieces and the end of the screwdriver to prevent tears and rips in the rubber.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

Write for Trails.com
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