Lynn Hales Posted July 29, 2023 Share Posted July 29, 2023 Someone hit the side of our 06 Diplomat. Can this panel be unlatched at the bottom and rotated up or removed easily? I'd guess the fresh water and black water tanks are behind the panel. Thanks for any comments. Lynn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klcdenver Posted July 29, 2023 Share Posted July 29, 2023 It will have a piano hinge on the right side of the panel. On the left side it will have usually 2 screws one towards the top and bottom of the panel. You should have enough room to get a screw driver between the panels to remove the screws. Then it will swing open like your other doors. Now you can get to the screws on the piano hinge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Hales Posted July 29, 2023 Author Share Posted July 29, 2023 49 minutes ago, klcdenver said: It will have a piano hinge on the right side of the panel. On the left side it will have usually 2 screws one towards the top and bottom of the panel. You should have enough room to get a screw driver between the panels to remove the screws. Then it will swing open like your other doors. Now you can get to the screws on the piano hinge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution Lynn Hales Posted July 29, 2023 Author Solution Share Posted July 29, 2023 Ken, thanks for your comments. I went out to our storage spot (105 degrees here) and it turned out that there are two brackets on the bottom that can be unscrewed and the the panel will open. Hinge is at the top. The frame was bent enough that it took some effort to get it open. At least neither of the tanks was damaged. Wish me luck in straightening the panel frame enough to get a complete seal. We're just trying to leave for a trip to cooler climes. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klcdenver Posted July 30, 2023 Share Posted July 30, 2023 You really don’t need a tight seal on that side. If you can’t straighten the door you might try a smaller airport in your area if they have an airplane mechanic there. Some of them are excellent sheet metal guys and cheaper than going to a rv repair shop. Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Hutto Posted July 30, 2023 Share Posted July 30, 2023 I had similar damage on my 06 Dip after an “incident” with one of those pesky short bollards that you can’t see in your mirrors — maybe a little worse. 🙄 Looked and couldn’t locate a new one, so the body man removed that panel and straightened it. Had to paint it, too… Looks great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Hales Posted July 30, 2023 Author Share Posted July 30, 2023 Thanks Scotty and Ken, I'm off to work on straightening it now. If I end up wanting to remove it I guess I have to drill out the rivets on the top, correct? I'd guess a 1/4" bit and just deep enough to remove the top cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Hales Posted July 30, 2023 Author Share Posted July 30, 2023 First phase of repair is now complete. Every C clamp I own and 3 new ones and a couple of 2x4's. Turned out the panel frame was bent inwards about 4" but it all straightened out more or less ok. Now to get all the paint off. Thanks again for the comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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