The latch that makes the screen door work with the outside door of the coach has a handle that operates with a spring inside the handle. Without the spring, the handle just flops, meaning the screen door won't stay shut when its supposed to. And, it doesn't want to clear the striker on the door frame without that spring that holds the handle up.
That spring seems to give out about every 18 months or so. I'm not going to say "planned obsolescence," but I'm thinking it. The first couple times it gave out, I couldn't find just the spring... so, an RV parts place can get about $25 to $30 for the whole handle. The handle is fine; the mounting for it is fine... it is that "specifically formed" spring that is the weak point. I get it: metal fatigue, every time you open or close the main door or the screen door, it puts wear on that spring.
Turn to Amazon - yes, they have (almost) everything. They have this spring in right or left hand configuration... a package of 10 for $6.00; obviously, we are not the only ones who have this issue.
Joan got a notice that the package with the springs had been delivered to the Mail Room as we were on our way out with the bikes. We'll get it when we get back.
It was a rainy morning, but the radar forecast looked promising for an afternoon outing on the bikes. No plan or destination, we looked at the sky to decide which direction to go; today, it was north and west. Rimrock Highway to Highway 385 to Nemo Road to Norris Peak Road, and then complete the loop on Rimrock again.
It was chilly compared to the last month of riding, mid-60s to around 70º for most of it. I was comfortable in a mesh riding jacket, Joan would have been more comfortable if she had put a liner in her jacket. But, the riding was good; not much traffic, decent roads. The short stretch on Norris Peak Road is the curviest and most fun to ride.
Not much stupid out there today... one couple on a loud Harley that we could see passing traffic behind us; we moved to the right and let them blast around. And one dumbass on Rimrock Highway on the way back in who passed coming at us in a No Passing Zone. We slowed and moved to the right edge of the road, he cut back in hard between the two cars he was illegally passing. It wasn't a particularly "close call," but definitely stupid behavior that could have been ugly. I don't understand why people will intentionally risk their life and the lives of others to "save" a few seconds.
Back at the ranch (;-)), Joan stopped at the Mail Room in the Lodge to get the springs while I went to our site and got the cargo trailer opened so I could put bikes away. It only took a few minutes to disassemble the latch and install the new spring. When we got the coach back from the repairs last winter, I had to fuss with the screen door to get it to close properly. With all the mounted parts aligned so the fit is good with the latch open and closed, it was easy to put it back in the same place.
I am amazed that Amazon can ship a $6 package with two-day delivery and still give "free" shipping. Yes, I know it is getting paid for somewhere along the way, but I have to pay a lot more than $6 to get something shipped for two-day delivery. It's an old joke: we lose money on every sale, but we make it up in the volume. ;-)
Regardless, it is nice to have the screen door opening, closing, and latching like it should. And statistically, those other nine springs should be a "lifetime supply" for me. Big plus: it didn't interfere with our ride.
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