My Ultimate HACK: Adding Power Door Functions to My RV Front Door

[@toddincabo]

👍 Nice job. Those aftermarket handles with number pads are well over $200 new, a good item to find on Marketplace and such. That wire disappearing there at the end is my luck in a nutshell.

[@michaelprue9024]

Good job James. Yeah, you’d think for the price of those coaches they’d come well equipped to include power door locks. Heck, some of the cheapest Kia’s come with power door locks lol

[@thomasschleis2545]

I did the same thing to my Tiffin Breeze, but fortunately the actuator was already installed. Put in the pins/pad and used a wireless module to an activate it.

[@cullenmiller8170]

Interesting to see the slight differences on the 2001 Beaver coaches. My Marquis has the door lock actuator, but instead a removable door panel it has carpet glued to the door. I need to replace the original unit since my fob broke and I can’t find a replacement fob. They used a fob of a Isuzu out of the 90’s. Sometimes I feel Beaver shopped at the surplus auction to build their coaches. 😂😂 I want that keyless entry as well.

[@michelfortier9563]

I've watched a bunch of your videos lately and I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your knowledge. It's made me much more educated about RV's in general and more specific, what to really look at rather than focusing on a pretty interior. What my biggest concern is I don't have a mechanical bent therefore somewhat concerned about if/when something major was to happen. You should do a video going through the mechanicals, how long under general use should they last and ballpark numbers on what it should cost to repair. My other concern is watching a couple of other different channels targeting people who have bought new or newer RV's and all the issues they go through in having to deal with inept mechanics never really fixing the issues. Countless revisiting of these dealers on the same issues. I've looked at used Beavers on the market as well as older 2000's bus conversions without slides. Still waffling but I do enjoy your videos. They're very informative.

[@twoeagledrones]

So glad to see you switch out those screws. I am so tired of Chinese screws and when you screw them in and the heads break off! I only buy screws that say made in the USA or Germany! Love you channel man.

[@garybrown9719]

How do you work in that heat

[@NoelBarlau]

A non-engineer with 30+ years of experience might be considered to be a bit of an engineer. It'd take me a month of Sundays to do that project. Thanks for sharing, it was fun to see the process.

[@JohnMcdermott-ho6je]

Fantastic job James. We're still in the "just a class C camper" mode so keyless would be a real stretch for our rig but we can dream a bit. Thanks for sharing.

[@onelovekaya1]

Ingenuity at its best, great way to bring modern technology into an older rig. Well done!!!

[@AZExpert]

Thank you very much!

[@markwitkop7022]

Cool Beans

[@richardschurr5931]

Hey there, Enjoy your videos and I have question? I have a 2003 Bounder 32w with the workhorse chassis. It has been a great motorhome for my wife and I for the last five years or so, but it is really starting to show its age. We flat tow a 4dr Rubicon. We also tow a 22ft boat to Havasu from Temecula Ca. We are looking to upgrade to a diesel short diesel pusher. Looking for a used model 10 years old or so. What would be your preferred recommendation? We like the following: 2014-2015 Dutchstar 3637 2016-2019 Tiffin Allegro red 33aa 2015-2017 Ventana Or maybe go a little older to a Country Coach 360 inspire? Monaco? Not sure because can we still get parts for the older ones? I am pretty handy and I can turn a wrench and be a mister fix it but still? For the big stuff, I still need to have someone do the big repairs. I appreciate any feedback back you can give me. Rich S.

[@gereshomeE]

Simply put: your workmanship is just -AMAZING! 🙂

[@Wannabearisto]

Hoading parts is a blessing and a curse 😅

[@nanaandpeepssadventures3991]

Always can learn something from James.

[@Jonnydeerhunter]

Im going the same way with vehicles. Id much rather buy a 2001 and add modern features then buy a 2024 and have to pay fortune for it to sit in the shop all the time. I bought a 2001 suburban 2500 with the 8.1l to pull my travel trailer. It hauls the trailer and whole family, I dont have a vehicle payment, and I can work on the thing with basic hand tools at my house. Win win win.

[@RedgieKeller]

Hi James , great upgrade. You make it look relatively simple and you have the proper tools. I would love to just have key lock on door handle to work properly. It will lock , but to unlock it gets stuck and can’t get in . So I only lock with the deadbolt. I’ve tried uncovering the back of door but is pretty much solid to try to get to lock mechanism . Anyway thanks for sharing.

[@kmatlock40]

Good job as usual. We are going full time in a year and I am actually looking forward to projects like this. That said I will point out a small oversight on your part. If you look at the peice you replaced on the lock, it has 2 different hole sizes. If you had flipped it over, they would have matched the hole size from the handle and the actuator. That is just my OCD talking.

[@billlimbert1053]

Great job, a true craftsman

[@carytruex3658]

I love it!!!! Im gonna do this to my Monaco Diplomat. And I love the out takes at the end.

[@daviscrt]

What a awesome job. Thanks for sharing Don

[@stevelange819]

I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. And its not even mine. You come up with the most satisfying "Hacks", but they're so good its hard to apply the term "hack". Supply chain issues may be a permanent normal for all. Have to pace ourselves around it as best we can.

[@timk.9827]

Nice job James.

[@mariodagenais6625]

Very good job James !!!

[@1hasbeen531]

Well done!

[@Mark_Lawler]

Thanks for the step by step tutorial. Love when you do these videos!

[@jcvaiana2535]

Hi James! I’m thinking about buying a 1998 36ft Country Coach Allure. Do you know of a quality inspector I could hire up in the Minneapolis, MN area?

[@stevecuthbert8856]

SWEET!

[@GregDehen-zt2fb]

I recently purchased a 2005 Monaco Scepter and this model has power locks on all basement doors and front door, but I did not get any key fobs with it and cannot find a switch inside to lock and unlock the doors. Do you know where that switch would be or if there is one? Also, would you be able to tell me where the module for the key fobs is that controls the locks. If I can find it, I can install a new system.

That is mega. I have an electric deadbolt so yeah totally want to do this. What about the keypad? Is it just a generic part linked to your relay controller? Thanks again!

[@AZExpert]

Essex Electronics Keypad Keyless Door Lock AKE-5BH

[@cbob1]

Yer a freakin' genius!

[@matthewstiger155]

Boy wish i could find a nice Chrome handle like that. I had one on my Monaco that broke on the cast. Had to come up with a way to fix it. Manf no longer makes those.

[@megadesertdiesel1468]

goo ol' home engineering. Works as it is supposed to and saved a ton of money. FYI, you filmed the code, better change it. lol

[@AZExpert]

the lock code is not a secret

[@thomasharhen2168]

Original rv parts are so cheap!!! You know!!!!😂😂😂❤❤

[@jasontorres6448]

Could you please tell me how many gallons of stabond 138 & 440 needed for my 40ft winni vectra (roof) Thank you in advance yo have been so helpful. I appreciate you and the awesome content u share with us the unknowing.

[@AZExpert]

at least 3 gallons of each but I'd feel safer at 4 each about a quart each 1.5 sheets of 4 x 8

[@jasontorres6448]

Thank You!!!

[@rogerandchristianbrown5553]

Always appreciate your videos and I’m an avid watcher. However I have a question completely off topic. I have a 2009 Monaco Camelot 42PDQ. The Valid panel has stop showing that the coach is in park and auto level doesn’t work. Dash shows it’s in park. Any suggestions on where to look and possible fix would be greatly appreciated.

[@patricksquires77]

Great vid! Sending cool breezes your way!

[@rss608]

now, if I could find one of those pals...

[@wolf359loki]

@AZExpert #AZExpert Can you do a video on how to fix a Passenger Side Wiper that hits the Center Pillar. I have tried other places but there are not a lot of stuff on RV. Cars yes, but those are not the same. My 2007 Meridian Itasca has what looks like the same wipers as your Beaver.

[@davidcooper3871]

Golf clap for working on fiddly tiny parts over the gravel…😅

[@RamblinRoadies]

No shit. That never turns out well for me.

[@TimothyMichaels]

Cool 😎

[@larryrogers6503]

Question 2002 Monaco Windsor door Wil Lock with the key pad but won't unlock with the key pad but it Will with the remote what could be the problem

[@mordiaky]

Just a thought, showing the brown wires under the couch showing what will operate the door lock, doesn't that expose a security risk? all someone would need to do is have a battery like you had for testing, cut the wiring and unlock the door. Sorry for these thoughts, its in my nature to see these things as I am into IT security for a Large company and I have to see vulnerabilities like this.

[@AZExpert]

Dead bolts are the security lock

[@NewTestamentDoc]

how do wagos hold up under vibration?

[@AZExpert]

I have had no issues

[@michaelmorris1971]

Your comments on lithium phosphate battery illustrated how you don't really understand wiring conditions and various devices as an electrical engineer understands. My father was an electrical engineer with a PhD. Careful what you are recommending in the realm of battery management.

[@AZExpert]

Thanks for watching. Your father was an eletrical engineer with a PhD? I am a 47 year old man, if your father has an issue with a video about lithium batteries or power door locks I am happy to listen, otherwise, the lithium videos are critiqued by the battery engineers so I feel safe giving basic information. Maybe you have insight that is more helpful than telling me about your father's hard work.

[@RossTheGenMan]

its boring and costs money to just buy stuff. Its fun to figure out a way to do something with what you got or can get together.

[@fatmuscle1]

RV Keylock will not work on that configuration. I have asked and get nothing

[@thomasharhen2168]

The shit is built so friggen cheap!!!! Buy a home!!!!!!!!

[@RamblinRoadies]

He has a home.

[@RamblinRoadies]

James has a home.

[@mattstogryn3066]

Pretty damn rusty inside the door :(

[@cintroberts6614]

After watching your videos for years now it is painfully obvious that you have a difficult time advocating for most of the RV industry. Mostly because you see the shoddy work and engineering that these companies are pumping out. Whenever I view your channel I cringe when I try to think of how many rigs are going to end up in junk yards and land fills. It is the same feeling when I see trains with Chinese products that we all know are pilling up in our landfills with junk that doesn't last long. For this reason I refuse to buy one of these and add to this giant dreadlock of a problem that is happening in this country. I get they t ry to make good products but it is certainly not happening and the angriest people on the planet in my experience is an RV owner.

[@AZExpert]

I think the industry is in strong need of regulation and monopoly breaking. The unfortunate truth is the majority of RV buyers are strong advocates against regulations and think the market will fix itself. Indiana as a state will not easily let this happen so it would have to be a national mandate or a large state like California or Texas, but even still the tax revenue losses would never allow either state to do that either.