How hard should it be to close and latch shells?

[Joesplace]

The rear shell on our 2005 2720sl closes ok but the front shell is difficult. I have to stand on the foot hold and jump hard to latch. I weigh over 200 lbs so I know it's taking alot to latch that front shell. My wife can't do it at all so my question is, how hard should it be to close and latch?

Thanks . . . .

[Padgett]

Is it very easy to open ? The adjustment of the four torsion bars for each module is a balancing act between easy to open and easy to close. The key is to strike a balance between the two.

Since I removed my awning the front went from grunt to open to one hand but became harder to close.

[Joesplace]

It's not difficult to open and after releasing the latch, the shell rises about 6 inches and level. Guess I need to learn to adjust the torsion bars . . .

Thanks!

[Padgett]

If you look at the video at the bottom of this page you can see how far that one is set to rise when released.

[LoveToCamp]

Be sure that the front of the front shell, (or the back of the rear shell), is down on the rubber stops on the ends, before trying to latch. I have found that, if I didn't have my front shell on the rubber stops, it was next to impossible to latch the release levers. But, if I make sure the front shell is resting on the rubber stops, I can latch it very easily. On my curb side, I have to pull down on the shell's top as I walk from the front to the back, so I can latch it. If I would think about it when I am going out to set it up, I would take a wrench and loosen the bolt for the front curb side torsion arm.

If your front (of the front shell) is not resting on the stops, back-out the adjustment bolts for the front of the shell a quarter-turn at a time, until it rests properly. Adjust while the shell is open, and test after each adjustment. As Padgett says, it is a little bit at a time.

[tentcamper]

I had an issue and found that the rivet that attached the latch had been broken and someone ran a nut and bolt. That was fine, but the nut loosen and the latch would get off square. I replaced the nut/bolt to a locking nut and bolt.

[gmferg]

I have found that latching the curb side first then the street side goes much easier than the other way around. If the second side is difficult unlatch and reverse the order.

[Kidkraz]

Joesplace,

I had a similar issue with the latching part, and did get it adjusted by my dealer. one thing he mentioned was making sure ya don't have a lot of blankets or pillows left on the beds. The shells may come down, but can cause an issue when trying to latch it down. Now all I leave are the sleeping bags on my beds. It's a very snug fit when the shells are closed up.

[Bill]

The position of the latch - the part with the black-handled lever that is mounted on the TM - is adjustable. Have you tried simply moving it up a quarter or half inch?

Bill

[LoveToCamp]

Be careful about moving the latch up too much, though, as that can allow the roof seals to not seat snugly at the rear of the front shell (while closed).