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Problems with Spare Wheel Cover Latch

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Allyson Smith

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Problems with Spare Wheel Cover Latch
« on: June 06, 2018, 07:16:53 pm »
We are having great difficulties attaching the spare tire cover now that it has been removed. The latch just doesn't seem to go into the groove. Any pointers on this? It is so frustrating!!

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JDeane

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Re: Problems with Spare Wheel Cover Latch
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2018, 06:25:01 am »
I have the same problem, however mine is difficult to disengage the latch. Any suggestions?
James and Georgiana Deane
2013 Phoenix Cruiser 3100

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ron-n-toni

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Re: Problems with Spare Wheel Cover Latch
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2018, 08:21:55 am »
Hope I can explain this. When you unlock the latch and then turn the latch counter clock wise, the pins on the inside will leave the groves  in the center hub and allow the cover to slide out and off. If is doesn't, continue to turn the latch handle counter clock wise which will release pressure on the pin assembly and allow the pins to disengage. You are actually "unscrewing" it. If you cannot get the cover back on because the latch will not engage, the same "fix" is used. Unscrew the latch while holding the cover against the motorhome about three or four turns counter clockwise which will lengthen the shaft and the pins will engage into the slots. By turning the latch, you are lengthening or shortening the shaft. Then turn latch clock wise to engage the pins into the locking groves in the center hub and continue to turn clock wise  to tighten the cover to the motorhome. But not too tight as it will flex the cover and make stress cracks to the covers gel coat/paint. Yea I know, clear as mud. Hope this helps.   

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Problems with Spare Wheel Cover Latch
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2018, 09:45:02 am »
ron-n-toni has it right.

Another way of putting it......
It works similarly to the two latches for the battery compartment.  You have to unscrew it a lot to allow the latch-arm to align with the slot in the steel tube.  You have to "feel" it go in the slot just like the battery compartment.  Applying pressure in the center of the cover will flex it some to find the slot more quickly.  But unlike the battery compartment latch, it requires many more turns to latch tightly. 

One more point.....
Once on and tight, the folding handle must be in a particular position for the locking key to work.  Tighten the handle all the way, then back-off to park the handle into it's proper position.  If the key'd lock won't work, unscrew the handle a half-turn more and then the key will work.

Like you, I too struggled working the cover until I figured out how it works.  Once you figure it out, it won't be a challenge again.
« Last Edit: June 07, 2018, 09:49:20 am by Ron Dittmer »
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gandalf42

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Re: Problems with Spare Wheel Cover Latch
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2018, 07:41:47 pm »
I had major issues getting mine back on and it had nothing to do with understanding the mechanism (but of course that's critical to know). I truly believe mine has a mismatch in the length of the screw as it would repeatedly pop off rather than tighten. We (my son and I) finally got it to stay and tighten down and I hope to never have to take it off again. If I do, I know I'll never be able to get it on by myself and will wait until I can take it to a tire shop to put back on.
Mike & Pat Astley,

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Allyson Smith

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Re: Problems with Spare Wheel Cover Latch
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2018, 01:11:47 am »
We've been off to the coast for a few days, so I am slow to return to this topic. Thanks to everyone for your replies.   We do understand the mechanism and I should have mentioned it was very difficult to get the cover off to begin with; that was our first clue. I think the center pole with the groove in it is not long enough for the mechanism from the cover to engage. I even taped my phone with a video going, and a few head lamps inside it to see what on earth was going on. The resulting movie was extremely dim (probably because the phone's camera was adjusted for full sunlight) , but you could tell that the latching mechanism on the cover never quite reached far enough to latch. I'm thinking that it needs to stick out about 3/4 of an inch more than it currently does. The distance can probably be figured out by by putting a few spacers where the whole thing attaches to the RV. We'll see. At any rate, one needs to figure out the exact distance that is needed before it can have any permanent fix. I can see this is a great concept, but I'm convinced ours is defective. :-( --Thanks again everyone. Allyson

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Problems with Spare Wheel Cover Latch
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2018, 07:49:04 am »
If you think your mounting tube is defective, measure it and tell Phoenix about it.  If truly defective, they will likely mail you a good mounting tube, all painted up and ready to bolt on, free of charge.  If it turns out to be the length of the threaded rod that the lever rides along, they should be able to take care of that for you in some manner.   Don't feel you have to accept something that was never right to begin with.  Phoenix is determined to put out a quality product.  They are very happy to help in making it right, even if it takes a second attempt on a few that slipped past them.
« Last Edit: June 17, 2018, 07:54:07 am by Ron Dittmer »
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