Easy RV Door Upgrades
Upgrading your RV door has several benefits, including adding protection that minimizes the chances of damage and saves you money in the long term. Plus, there are RV door accessories to make it easier to open and close, especially when your hands are full. Selecting the right RV door upgrades will make getting in and out of your RV safer and easier while saving you money. So, let’s explore three Lippert RV door accessories every RVer should consider—the Lippert Screen Defender, Lippert Screen Assist, and Lippert LatchXtend.
An RV Screen Door Protector Upgrade
We’ve all seen those videos of people or dogs going through a screen door they didn’t see. RV screen doors are no different. Fortunately, you can use an RV screen door protector to safeguard the actual screen against damage. This RV screen door accessory protects the lower half of your screen door from overzealous pets or kids that might innocently lean into it or try to push their way through to join the fun outside.
Benefits of the Lippert Screen Defender
The Lippert RV screen door protector is one of our favorite DIY RV upgrades. It’s easy to install and dramatically reduces the chances of adding a full RV screen door replacement to your offseason to-do list. It is a solid aluminum screen installed inside the screen material on the lower half of your RV screen door.
Lippert makes the Screen Defender for four RV entry door sizes: 24”, 26”, 28” and 30”. The powder-coated frame adds corrosion resistance, and it’s compatible with Lippert entry doors on travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes (excluding RVs with Lippert G-class doors).
Lippert Screen Defender Installation
Installing the Lippert Screen Defender will take most RVers roughly one hour. It doesn’t require any complex tools, and the installation procedure is relatively straightforward. Product Expert Ian Baker shows you how to install the Screen Defender in the video above, but here are the general steps:
- Measure the Door
- Set the Screen in Place
- Measure for the Extrusion
- Install the Extrusion
New RV Screen Door Push Bar
Camping in the warmer months allows you to let the breeze drift inside through your RV screen door. However, using the screen as your primary door increases its risk of damage. In fact, a broken RV screen door latch is an all-too-common occurrence if you’re not careful. Plus, these small, factory-installed latches can be hard to operate, especially when returning with your arms full of camping supplies from the camp store.
This is why an RV screen door push bar is a useful RV entry door upgrade. It gives you a more durable handle to open or close your entry door. And if you choose an upgraded RV door accessory like the Lippert Screen Assist, the push bar integrates with the latch, giving you a larger handle to open your screen door.
Lippert Screen Assist Advantages
The Lippert Screen Assist makes opening and closing your RV screen door much easier. But it also protects one of your screen door’s most sensitive components—the latch. So whether your latch is hard to use, you’ve broken it several times, or you’re just tired of trying to open it with your elbow when your hands are full, the Lippert Screen Assist will be handy!
Be aware that your RV door must be between 26 and 30 inches wide to ensure compatibility with this Lippert push bar. However, the installation doesn’t require complex or hard-to-use tools, and the benefits will immediately be apparent.
Installing the Lippert Screen Assist
Most RVers can complete this Lippert Screen Assist installation in roughly 30 to 60 minutes. Product Expert Ian Baker walks you through the installation procedure in the video above, but here are the general steps:
- Measure the Door Width
- Choose Your Installation Method
- Install a Smaller Door Handle
- Assemble the Push Bar
- Mark the End Cap Locations
- Secure the End Caps
- Secure the Push Bar
RV Door Handle Extension
Most RVers with small campers don’t have issues reaching and using the handle of their RV’s entry door. But an RV door handle extension can be a major upgrade on a taller RV, like a 5th wheel or destination trailer. These campers tend to require step assembles with 3-4 steps to reach the door handle when you’re camping. But when you’re traveling, and those steps are retracted, reaching a higher door handle can be nearly impossible.
This is why door handle extensions have become a popular aftermarket RV upgrade. It extends the usable grip of the entry door handle down to a reachable level. It also adds a larger gripping area if you’re trying to open your entry door with other items in your hands. For most RVs, it’s an easy, DIY installation that replaces your existing handle and RV door lock.
Lippert LatchXtend Merits
Lippert’s Latch Xtend RV door handle extension makes it easier to open and close your camper door. Whether your taller 5th wheel makes it hard to reach the factory-installed handle or you want to make it easier for kids to enter and exit your camper, the Lippert Latch Xtend is the perfect solution.
Extending your reach by 14″ and offering a comfortable gripping surface, this RV handle extension provides easier camper access by giving you more leverage for actuating the latch on your door. In addition to kids, it’s great for campers with limited mobility who struggle to reach the RV door latch safely or apply the necessary force to open a standard RV door latch.
The LatchXtend handle also helps prevent falls from entry steps and comes in handy when storing your RV where step access is difficult. With the LatchXtend RV door handle extension, you can simply unlatch the door from the ground and climb in.
This extended handle is made with durable cast aluminum and steel, adding resistance against the elements. It replaces an existing RV door latch, providing an easy, retrofit installation that’s compatible with any right-handed RV door equipped with a standard paddle latch.
Lippert Latch Xtend Installation
Installing the LatchXtend RV door handle extension is an easy DIY RV modification that should take most RV owners one hour or less. Retail expert Conner Lund details the Lippert LatchXtend installation in the video above, but here are the general steps:
- Remove the OEM Latch
- Clean Latch Cutout
- Mark Pilot Holes
- Drill Pilot Holes
- Drill 1-⅛” Mounting Holes
- Install Latch Assembly
- Replace the Interior Latching Mechanism
- Test LatchXtend Function
The installation videos above provide step-by-step instructions for installing these RV entry door upgrades. But if you don’t feel comfortable installing any of them at home, contact our Service Department.
The right RV modifications will make your camper safer, easier to use, and better able to handle the rigors of RV travel. Here are a few more DIY RV upgrades to consider:
- Upgrading Your Towing Performance with an Electronic Brake Controller
- Easier Maneuvering with a Wireless RV Backup Camera
- Add Peace of Mind with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Are you looking to upgrade the door in your camper? Let us know what you think about these DIY RV modifications in the comments below!
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