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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Virginia | I have a 2013 Homesteader Stallion BP that I'm really enjoying. I often haul with the rear curtain doors latched open when it's hot. This weekend as I watched out my side mirror, the aluminum on the door into which the latch is anchored simply tore from wind resistance. The dealer is being exceptional about handling the repair. I've attached a photo of the damage. Has anyone else had this kind of problem? Seems like poor design having the latch anchored to only a sheet of aluminum. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 136
 
Location: Watertown, TN | I can't say for sure but I suspect the latch in the picture is only intended to hold the door open while loading and un-loadig to keep the door from swinging around on a horse unexpectedly. The manufacturer may have never meant for it to hold it while going down the road. That door looks like it would catch a lot of wind. |
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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Virginia | I agree, but the dealer insisted it's fine to travel with them latched open. In the future, I won't keep them open unless it's unbearable hot. |
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Regular
Posts: 63
Location: suffolk | me and my wife checked for a Homesteader trailer...after close examination of the quality...we decided to buy a used Kiefer Build trailer. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
 
Location: western PA | A doubler, an additional sheet of metal, could be installed on the inside skin to offer more structural support to the latch assemblies. The wind resistance, the parasitic drag on an open door that is being buffeted by trapped air, is significant. The latch needs additional support if it will be used during travels. It appears that this was not an intended usage by the manufacturer. |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
 
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | What is that door made of...? Fiberglass reinforced styrofoam? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| A door holdback that close to the hinge has a lot of pressure to withstand. I have seen that exact holdback, when mounted with through bolts and at the end of the door, work very well holding a curtain at speed. Also, the curtain needs to be fairly close to the trailer so as to not catch much wind. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by jpeil on 2013-09-23 5:39 PM
I agree, but the dealer insisted it's fine to travel with them latched open. In the future, I won't keep them open unless it's unbearable hot. Too bad you didn't get that statement in writing...:( I would hope that that dealer would make the repair after he made that statement...some trailer companies have that hardware attached to one of the verticals of the frame... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Brooksville, Fl | I have a trailer with this exact same set-up and have driven the interstate, etc with no problem. My horse is claustrophobic and I cannot close the top curtains on him because they have no windows. Also, I live in Florida and he would probably die of heat stroke! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Brooksville, Fl | You know, looking at the position of the hold back on the door, it looks too close to the hinges on top of not being sturdy. If it were located further over, it might hold better as well...just my observation. |
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Regular
Posts: 79
Location: iowa | If it were me and you wanted them open I would pull the hinge pins and remove them. Should be very easy to do. |
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Rear Curtain Doors Open or Closed
