Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches...
| [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180116] |
Mon, 13 August 2012 15:46  |
kelvin
Messages: 608
Registered: February 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Karma: 0
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Needing a little anecdotal evidence from the hive memory...
Have any of you ever had a front hatch flip up because you've left it
unlatched?
I've forgotten to latch one a few times and the air pressure seems to
hold them down ok - but maybe I was lucky.
Looking to upgrade the front latches per Jim Wagner's idea:
(http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3573-push-to-open-hood-latch.html)
- and just wondering if I really need to add a safety catch like Jim did.
I'd have to have one flip up and become an air brake at 65mph. My guess
is it wouldn't stay attached for long.
Thanks in advance,
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR
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| Re: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180119 is a reply to message #180116] |
Mon, 13 August 2012 16:00  |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Kelvin,
I don't think there is a lot of force behind those doors. I imagine that if you duct the grill to the radiator there would be even less. Jim K has a neat push-button latch that he's considering offering, but it would have a surface button. I like the hidden ones you showed in the pix.
Larry Davick
Fremont, California
A Mystery Machine
'76 (ish) Palm Beach
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kelvin Dietz" <kelvin@datsuns.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 1:46:17 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches...
Needing a little anecdotal evidence from the hive memory...
Have any of you ever had a front hatch flip up because you've left it
unlatched?
I've forgotten to latch one a few times and the air pressure seems to
hold them down ok - but maybe I was lucky.
Looking to upgrade the front latches per Jim Wagner's idea:
(http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3573-push-to-open-hood-latch.html)
- and just wondering if I really need to add a safety catch like Jim did.
I'd have to have one flip up and become an air brake at 65mph. My guess
is it wouldn't stay attached for long.
Thanks in advance,
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180130 is a reply to message #180116] |
Mon, 13 August 2012 17:03 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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| Kelvin Dietz wrote on Mon, 13 August 2012 13:46 |
Needing a little anecdotal evidence from the hive memory...
Have any of you ever had a front hatch flip up because you've left it
unlatched?
I've forgotten to latch one a few times and the air pressure seems to
hold them down ok - but maybe I was lucky.
Looking to upgrade the front latches per Jim Wagner's idea:
(http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3573-push-to-open-hood-latch.html)
- and just wondering if I really need to add a safety catch like Jim did.
I'd have to have one flip up and become an air brake at 65mph. My guess
is it wouldn't stay attached for long.
Thanks in advance,
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR
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Kelvin,
I used to drive my coach with the front hoods unlatched all the time, because that's what the PO said HE did. I never had one flip open, but one time, in a strong headwind, I had them start to rattle pretty good. It took a few minutes to figure out what the new noise was, but that was it.
It made me nervous enough about it that I have always latched them ever since. I have the key type latches, and it is not as convenient as leaving them open, but I don't want to take the chance.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180131 is a reply to message #180130] |
Mon, 13 August 2012 17:08 |
kelvin
Messages: 608
Registered: February 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 8/13/2012 3:03 PM, Carl Stouffer wrote:
>
> Kelvin Dietz wrote on Mon, 13 August 2012 13:46
>> Needing a little anecdotal evidence from the hive memory...
>>
>> Have any of you ever had a front hatch flip up because you've left it
>> unlatched?
>> I've forgotten to latch one a few times and the air pressure seems to
>> hold them down ok - but maybe I was lucky.
>>
>>
>> Kelvin,
>>
>> I used to drive my coach with the front hoods unlatched all the time, because that's what the PO said HE did. I never had one flip open, but one time, in a strong headwind, I had them start to rattle pretty good. It took a few minutes to figure out what the new noise was, but that was it.
>>
>> It made me nervous enough about it that I have always latched them ever since. I have the key type latches, and it is not as convenient as leaving them open, but I don't want to take the chance.
Good info, Carl. Jim W told me that his would unlatch by themselves
occasionally which is why he added safety catches.
I'm just trying to decide if I can take my chances and not build those
safety latches.
Less parts is good - but not at the expense of trashed fiberglass and
paint...
More experiences, please.
Kelvin
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| Re: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180138 is a reply to message #180116] |
Mon, 13 August 2012 18:38 |
rvanwin
Messages: 325
Registered: April 2007
Location: Battlefield, MO
Karma: 6
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| Kelvin Dietz wrote on Mon, 13 August 2012 15:46 |
Needing a little anecdotal evidence from the hive memory...
Have any of you ever had a front hatch flip up because you've left it
unlatched?
I've forgotten to latch one a few times and the air pressure seems to
hold them down ok - but maybe I was lucky.
|
I think you were lucky. I haven't experienced this problem directly but may have been partially responsible. We were working on my friend George's coach and I put the passenger hood down without latching them. We evidently didn't get back into the compartment and left for the Pueblo rally. If I recall, we were on a two way road with heavy on-coming truck traffic. The buffeting from a passing truck sucked open the hatch enough for the wind to catch it. It didn't depart the coach put did rip out the hinge mounting on the lid. Maybe George will chime in with a more first hand account.
Because I'm getting my coach painted, I have installed hidden latches and will have the mounting holes filled and painted over. On a recent visit to an RV parts store I saw some luggage compartment latches. I put a rod attached to the release levers of the luggage latches that runs behind the grill. I can reach through the grill and pull the rod that releases the latches. This makes a positive latch mechanism for the lids with no chance of coming loose during travel. Still have to remember to push the lids closed.
Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
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| Re: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180142 is a reply to message #180116] |
Mon, 13 August 2012 19:01 |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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>
>
Have any of you ever had a front hatch flip up because you've left it
unlatched?
>
>
The preproduction coaches used just a single latch in the center of each access door. All production coaches used the 2 latches for each door although the front fiberglass still had the notch/bump where the center latch would have been until ~TZE 0400 on the early 1973s. John Locklin told me the change was made because of "flutter" under certain conditions.
Bill Bryant
PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
1914 Ford (owned 70 years)
1965 Corvette (owned 39 years)
GMC Motorhome History
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| Re: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180149 is a reply to message #180147] |
Mon, 13 August 2012 20:17 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I know of one case where on popped open and was ripped up badly. I won't state his name but he can hop in here with his name if he wishes. I always double check them and some day I'll probably still make a mistake and destroy one.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180157 is a reply to message #180116] |
Mon, 13 August 2012 21:34 |
Kosier
Messages: 834
Registered: February 2008
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Kelvin,
I can tell you about having the lid blow open. I HAD latched them, but
not all the way tight. We were headed west, facing a very strong gusty
wind. The gusts, apparently worked the latches loose and, suddenly,
up it came. It ripped the folding bracket on the right side loose and
banged the lid against the nut on the wiper shaft.
We have a late '77, which has the side shields for the radiator.
Since they are open on the top, a strong, gusty wind puts an intermittent
blast against the lid. I do not fail to fully latch the lids now!
Gary Kosier
77 PB Cad 500
Newark, Oh
-----Original Message-----
From: Kelvin Dietz
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 4:46 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches...
Needing a little anecdotal evidence from the hive memory...
Have any of you ever had a front hatch flip up because you've left it
unlatched?
I've forgotten to latch one a few times and the air pressure seems to
hold them down ok - but maybe I was lucky.
Looking to upgrade the front latches per Jim Wagner's idea:
(http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3573-push-to-open-hood-latch.html)
- and just wondering if I really need to add a safety catch like Jim did.
I'd have to have one flip up and become an air brake at 65mph. My guess
is it wouldn't stay attached for long.
Thanks in advance,
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180160 is a reply to message #180157] |
Mon, 13 August 2012 22:32 |
kelvin
Messages: 608
Registered: February 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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'Nuff said. I'm building safety latches...
Thanks!
Kelvin
On 8/13/2012 7:34 PM, Kosier wrote:
> Kelvin,
>
> I can tell you about having the lid blow open. I HAD latched them, but
> not all the way tight. We were headed west, facing a very strong gusty
> wind. The gusts, apparently worked the latches loose and, suddenly,
> up it came. It ripped the folding bracket on the right side loose and
> banged the lid against the nut on the wiper shaft.
> We have a late '77, which has the side shields for the radiator.
> Since they are open on the top, a strong, gusty wind puts an intermittent
> blast against the lid. I do not fail to fully latch the lids now!
>
> Gary Kosier
> 77 PB Cad 500
> Newark, Oh
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kelvin Dietz
> Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 4:46 PM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches...
>
> Needing a little anecdotal evidence from the hive memory...
>
> Have any of you ever had a front hatch flip up because you've left it
> unlatched?
> I've forgotten to latch one a few times and the air pressure seems to
> hold them down ok - but maybe I was lucky.
>
> Looking to upgrade the front latches per Jim Wagner's idea:
> (http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3573-push-to-open-hood-latch.html)
> - and just wondering if I really need to add a safety catch like Jim did.
>
> I'd have to have one flip up and become an air brake at 65mph. My guess
> is it wouldn't stay attached for long.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Kelvin
> '73 23' in Eugene, OR
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Unlatched front Hatches... [message #180213 is a reply to message #180116] |
Tue, 14 August 2012 11:28 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Kelvin,
Funny you should mention this - dumbass here did it yesterday!
Scared the hell out of Helen (hey that's a clever pun) as it was her side that popped up!
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kelvin Dietz.
Needing a little anecdotal evidence from the hive memory...
Have any of you ever had a front hatch flip up because you've left it
unlatched?
Kelvin
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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