The 23D thread

[Air88]

Has anyone changed from the 14" (stock in 2016) to 15" (235-75R15)

Wanted to know if the spare tire holder will accept the 15" tire without modification.

Thanks.

[RFP]

So, absolutely nobody will be the slightest interested in this, and for sure no one will want to do this little 'mod,' but here goes anyway.

Two weeks camping in Colorado and Utah gave me plenty of opportunities to get irritated with the [stupid] Velcro closures on the curtains on the front panoramic windows. I hate that stuff.

Magnets! I thought about ditching the Velcro (I hate that stuff) in favor of magnet closure.

I ordered a dozen magnets from K & J Magnetics to get me started. These: https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D48DIA Notice that these are magnetized "diametrically" ... you need that in this application.

As a bit of background, not being happy with the flimsy/floppy 'edges' of the pano window curtains, I bought a handful of "driveway markers" from Home Depot (see photo below). These things have the niftiest 1/4" fiberglass rods. I cut the 1/4" fiberglass rods just the right size to fit inside the little pockets already sewn into the edges of the curtain panels. So, now, I've solved the "edge problem" and the curtains already look mucho better.

So, when my magnets arrived, I cut a bit off of the rods and - using white heat shrink tubing - I attached a magnet to each end of each rod. Cool.

The hardest part turned out to be getting the danged-old-Velcro patches off. I used my handy stitch cutter (From JoAnn's Fabric) to stitch-by-stitch cut those things off. Requires brain surgery steadiness to NOT damage the curtain panels. Thankfully, I was successful.

Then, I slipped the rods-with-magnets back into the pockets and threaded the curtains back into the tracks. Now, to try out the whole deal.

Success!

These things work wonderfully! Even though, by themselves, the magnets are stupid strong, the "magnet pull" through two layers of heat-shrink and who-knows-how-many layers of fabric, the "pull" is just perfect. Just a gentle touch and they are closed, and a gently pull (NOT any tugging!) and they release.

I didn't expect this, but even the "look" is better.

See, I told you that nobody would be interested !

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Air88

Has anyone changed from the 14" (stock in 2016) to 15" (235-75R15)

Wanted to know if the spare tire holder will accept the 15" tire without modification.

Thanks.

Air88... There seems to be a lot of unit-to-unit variation in these. My 15" wheel/tire combo fit just fine with the spare carrier "as is." Others have had to do some bending. I'm afraid that you'll just have to play it by ear. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[Seanlb]

We have been developing an onboard Onan generator system that fits into the spare tire cavity and after an extensive field survey I can confirm that the spare tire carriers widely deviate between model year and individual coach.

The widest variable seems to be about 2” lower on certain trailers.

However, the mounting points and space between the fore and aft crossmembers are identical (+/- .5”) between all contemporary coaches from 23’ to 30’+.

Therefore, if you have a ‘shallow’ spare tire carrier on your particular unit, a carrier from another larger coach will be a direct fit replacement.

Here are a few rough reference notes taken at the Temecula lot earlier this year.

Hope this helps!

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by Seanlb

We have been developing an onboard Onan generator system that fits into the spare tire cavity

Outstanding! People sometimes ask if my Airstream has a generator, I always answer, nope, no room for one. Wrong! This is great. This is the kind of innovation Airstream should be doing.


I am thinking the spare could be relocated somewhere toward the back or amidships, depending on model?


This idea would be worthy of it's own thread in the electrical section. Maybe there is one but I missed it.


Nice work!

[Fair_Enough]

Originally Posted by RFP

So, absolutely nobody will be the slightest interested in this, and for sure no one will want to do this little 'mod,' but here goes anyway.

Two weeks camping in Colorado and Utah gave me plenty of opportunities to get irritated with the [stupid] Velcro closures on the curtains on the front panoramic windows. I hate that stuff.

Magnets! I thought about ditching the Velcro (I hate that stuff) in favor of magnet closure.

I ordered a dozen magnets from K & J Magnetics to get me started. These: https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D48DIA Notice that these are magnetized "diametrically" ... you need that in this application.

As a bit of background, not being happy with the flimsy/floppy 'edges' of the pano window curtains, I bought a handful of "driveway markers" from Home Depot (see photo below). These things have the niftiest 1/4" fiberglass rods. I cut the 1/4" fiberglass rods just the right size to fit inside the little pockets already sewn into the edges of the curtain panels. So, now, I've solved the "edge problem" and the curtains already look mucho better.

So, when my magnets arrived, I cut a bit off of the rods and - using white heat shrink tubing - I attached a magnet to each end of each rod. Cool.

The hardest part turned out to be getting the danged-old-Velcro patches off. I used my handy stitch cutter (From JoAnn's Fabric) to stitch-by-stitch cut those things off. Requires brain surgery steadiness to NOT damage the curtain panels. Thankfully, I was successful.

Then, I slipped the rods-with-magnets back into the pockets and threaded the curtains back into the tracks. Now, to try out the whole deal.

Success!

These things work wonderfully! Even though, by themselves, the magnets are stupid strong, the "magnet pull" through two layers of heat-shrink and who-knows-how-many layers of fabric, the "pull" is just perfect. Just a gentle touch and they are closed, and a gently pull (NOT any tugging!) and they release.

I didn't expect this, but even the "look" is better.

See, I told you that nobody would be interested !

Well, I darn sure want to do this. Thanks for the "where to get the stuff". In my 23FBT, with beds on that end, having curtains full closed is more than just a good idea. I have expressed my displeasure with the hook and loop poor design, but haven't been motivated until now.
FE

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Fair_Enough

Well, I darn sure want to do this. Thanks for the "where to get the stuff". In my 23FBT, with beds on that end, having curtains full closed is more than just a good idea. I have expressed my displeasure with the hook and loop poor design, but haven't been motivated until now.
FE

Yay... a soul brother!

If you want to chat about this, just send me a PM and I'll send you my phone number. To us, this is a really good solution to a genuine nuisance... and my wife thinks I'm brilliant. She's easily fooled.

[Chris Borth]

re:Magnets for the Pano Window Curtains
Thanks for this I really like it. I am ordering the magnets tonight.
I may need some guidance along the way. If I do I'll try to contact you.

[GMFL]

Looking good Sir! Even though we’ve move trailer size I still lurk.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Looking good Sir! Even though we’ve move trailer size I still lurk.

Stalker, stalker!!!

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Chris Borth

re:Magnets for the Pano Window Curtains
Thanks for this I really like it. I am ordering the magnets tonight.
I may need some guidance along the way. If I do I'll try to contact you.

Sure... I'll be happy to help if I can...

[Granada]

In November 2018 I posted to the 23D thread that I had joined the ranks of enthusiastic owners upon taking delivery of a 2019 International Serenity 23CB. It was my second Airstream and I had learned what I wanted in a trailer to travel with my dog , Earl, in my retirement. The 23CB was perfect for this mission.

What I didn’t say in my introduction was that I had been diagnosed with ALS the month before I ordered the trailer. This diagnosis made me even more motivated to get the right Airstream and continue traveling with my dog. But I knew there would come a time when I could no longer handle camping alone…my dog not being much help with setting up and tearing down a site.

September 2019 Earl and I headed to North Carolina with stops along the way…we were running ahead of Hurricane Dorian. Unfortunately, I had four falls on this trip due to my progressing muscular atrophy. Two of the falls were serious with one resulting in a concussion and another leaving me briefly unconscious lying at a gas station.

I returned home in denial about my faltering abilities. Two months later, I traded my F-150 for a Honda wheelchair van and today, after numerous falls at home, I spend my days in a power wheelchair.

I have come to grips with my declining abilities and my beloved Serenity is now for sale (in the usual places). I enjoyed the time my dog and I spent in both of our Airstreams and will always carry the great memories with me.

Tom Biggs

[subfan1]

Tom, so sorry to read your message. It was a great adventure traveling in your Airstream, so glad you did. Best of wishes in your future and I wish you all the best.

[GCinSC2]

Tom

Best wishes, take care.

Gary

[Chris Borth]

Well I completed the curtains today and I'm very pleased. As you said the hard part is unstitching the velcro.

This is a very clever mod that makes opening and closing the curtains much easier. Maybe one of their Ambassadors will take the idea to Jackson Center.

Thanks for sharing.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Chris Borth

Well I completed the curtains today and I'm very pleased. As you said the hard part is unstitching the velcro.

This is a very clever mod that makes opening and closing the curtains much easier. Maybe one of their Ambassadors will take the idea to Jackson Center.

Thanks for sharing.

I'm glad it worked out well for you! Now, how about a photo or two?

[RFP]

Well, this little project just keeps getting better.

With magnets in the curtains, it's easy to add some metal (plated steel) to the pano window dividers - both sides, top and bottom, thereby giving a place for the magnets to 'grab' what opening the curtains. I'm super-pleased with how neatly the curtains gather up fairly tightly... looks so much better.

[Kbuck1234]

Hello,

Thank you for all of your great ideas and advice. I have found this thread to be a great read.

I am looking to replace my electric tongue jack with a manual jack for personal reasons. I am mainly stationary and having the electric jack exposed to weather (particularly cold weather) is not something I would want to deal with again.

Has anyone installed a manual jack? Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you!

[dbdreams]

Very nice work on the curtains!
A shot out the window of our yard camping spot. Finally cool enough for a fire!
KBUCK,
Tractor Supply has a good selection of heavy duty jacks, bet they could put you on one that would fit your needs.

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by Kbuck1234

Hello,

Thank you for all of your great ideas and advice. I have found this thread to be a great read.

I am looking to replace my electric tongue jack with a manual jack for personal reasons. I am mainly stationary and having the electric jack exposed to weather (particularly cold weather) is not something I would want to deal with again.

Has anyone installed a manual jack? Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you!

Can't you just remove the electric motor on your jack and use the hand crank to raise and lower? I have a Barker super jack and I had the motor off to repaint the outside and lube the gears on it. The jack still worked just using the hand crank.