Airstream design glitch.

[Robbie R.]

I use the word glitch because for some this would not be a problem.

The rear storage hatch on my 2000 Excella has a rubber seal that I'm certain keeps critters, dust etc. out pretty well.

But I have noticed on many like mine and including mine that outside chairs, tarps, cushions and all sorts of things used outside are stored in this area.

After camping for several days all sorts of critters attach themselves in all sorts of cracks, rods, poles etc.

When you repack your storage area then all these critters proceed to enter your home on wheels VIA under your bed.........

Spiders love round poles, especially black widows.........

This storage area should NOT be designed to go under the bed. It should be sealed off by putting a piece of 1/4 inch plywood easily done against the entry part under the bed.

Once this is done, it can be caulked with clear silicone or something to keep smaller critters out.

Another problem is all the dirt accumalated on the legs of all the chairs, tables etc. end up under your bed and eventually will end up in your bedroom or carpet from pulling stuff out from under your bed.

All outside things that have been in the rain and outside should be stored in a sealed area away from your living quarters.

This is a simple 1 hour fix, though it does cut down a little on under bed storage I would rather know my under bed is clean as the rest of my camper.

On the excella model like mine I have found 2 storage hatches that have open access to the inside, one in rear and one on street side that is open at top a bit and goes under my dinette seat.

The battery boxes are pretty well sealed to the outside.

The reason I am mentioning this is because I found a monster spider under my bed.

Robbie R.

[Steve & Susan]

After our first trip with our new AS a few years back, I got a tube of caulk and completely sealed the storage compartment from the inside for that very reason - there were several places where critters could migrate to the bedroom.

[damonbeals]

The storage is your secret way to get back into your Airstream when you lose your door keys? If you can't lift up the bed you can't get in?

Damon

[Airslide]

Originally Posted by damonbeals

The storage is your secret way to get back into your Airstream when you lose your door keys? If you can't lift up the bed you can't get in?

Damon

I guess you better screw it down from inside the storage compartment. That way all you will need is a good insecticide, a screw driver and a miners light

[Robbie R.]

Mine is sealed and done as of today. Screws are from the inside and easy to get out if needed from inside the storage place.

Sure is nice to raise the bed and see it sealed tight as a drum under it now.

There is still plenty of room in the storage area and most of the area sealed off was too far to reach in to anyway.

Robbie R.

[Ag&Au]

Anything of the nature you are describing (stuff that stays outside while camping) goes in the bed of my truck (covered with tonneau).
Regards,
Ken
P.S. I kind of like spiders
I was bitten on the ear lobe by a Black Widow (spider that is) a couple years ago. It was not too bad an experience.

[FreshAir]

My gosh, you eastern folks have a lot of little critters to deal with, huh. Worst event that I have is forgetting to close the garage door at night. Dem racoons eat the dog food I don't.
Neil.

[boondockdad]

storing lawn chairs and floor mats, that have picked up beach sand and critters, under my bed gives me that 'roughin it' in the wild, rugged camper feeling-- while I snuggle up under my comforter (after a long hot shower, of course), with my favorite Newt Gingrich book, by the light of my LED reading lamp, enjoying the climate controlled 74 degree air conditioned bedroom. Oh- and I must have my Celestial Seasonings, Sleepytime Vanilla, warmed to 180 degrees on the range.

No, sealing off the trunk storage from the bedroom would wreck the camping experience for me entirely.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Robbie R.

I use the word glitch......because I found a monster spider under my bed.Robbie R.

was it a 5 legged spider?

a/s equips every unit with a couple of these to help with other bugs.

the air-achnids can eat but can not get away with their running gear altered.
______________

it will be interesting to see how this change works out in USAGE.

the bed/mattress area collects a LOT of moisture (under the mattress, on the plywood platform and IN the storage box.

if you r not flipping the mattress regularly, mildew and other stuff may grow on the underside.

MOST of these units have CARPET in that storage area, originally covered with a sheet of clear plastic.

again a moisture trap for gunky gear, body losses and rain/wash water that creeps inside.

so opening the outside hatch and propping the bed up is a quick way to vent.

SEALED gaps work both ways, and trapping stuff OUTSIDE may trap other stuff inside.

anyway KEEP an EYE on the water issue under the mattress.

you might need to replace the solid board with spider proof chicken wire...

but then how will the chickens get back inside after feeding?

cheers
2air'

[Robbie R.]

Not sure what kind of spider, we both were moving too fast to see each other........

Under my bed is very dry and I hope it stays that way. I think one reason some campers might get damp under the bed is because of this outside hatch allowing moisture to enter under bed.

If mine gets damp I will air from inside by raising mattress and wood support.

I am sure it is not the perfect idea or solution but it makes me feel better to know it is not open under me while I am sleeping.

Robbie R.

[Airslide]

2air...

"again a moisture trap for gunky gear, body losses and rain/wash water that creeps inside.

so opening the outside hatch and propping the bed up is a quick way to vent."




Body losses?

Ok.. kinda gross

[3 Dog Nite]

Gosh, why are you sealing it with caulk? Why noy put some more rubber seal around the opening. You can then keep it closed tight with a snap type latch that you can open from storage area. This way you can use as needed without having to recaulk every time.

Ricky

[2airishuman]

i 4 got to mention the barking spiders...

they need an exit route too.

Originally Posted by Airslide

...body fluids, Ok.. kinda gross

well THAT is one of the reasons we travel in 'streams and don't sleep in hotels right?
__________________

Originally Posted by Robbie R.

... it makes me feel better to know it is not open under me while I am sleeping...

a nearly universal childhood fear...

WHO (or what) is under the bed?

seen that horror flick where the KNIFE comes UP through the bed?

or the one where the bogey man grabs and drags the screaming teen down under?

i think THAT is the issue here,

not an 8 legged creepy crawly fuzzy bug eyed thing, that paralyzes then SUCKS your brains out...

sleep well.

2air'

[Airslide]

Glad your back!

[whitelight]

Boaters often have bunks with mattresses over a "sealed" area i.e. the V-Berth. The compartment is sealed, usually to keep the sea water out. A google search of "dry bunk" yields a number of solutions offered to boaters to keep the under area of their mattress dry & mildew free. These products range from an absorbent pad to an elaborate grid work frame (chicken wire?)

Lack of air circulation under a bunk results in excess dampness (& you don't even have to sleep in the bunk to have this occur!)

We stripped out the carpet & plastic in the back storage area of our 34', then applied penetrating epoxy to seal the plywood surface. Much easier to clean out!

Just think about those boaters & what may lurk under their bunks

[richinny]

can you get the "hermetically sealed" option or is that only offered with the funeral coach models?

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

i 4 got to mention the barking spiders...

they need an exit route too.

2air'

Ahh the ever elusive Barking Spider. Never seen, butt often heard, and usually evidenced by their foul breath. We've tried unsucessfuly to have them eradicated, with no luck.

Thanks goodness for fantastic fans.

Funny thing...We have a similar issue with ducks around hear. Every once in a while someone steps on one. We hear it, but never see it either. Same bad breath though.


Go figure,

Kevin

[Ag&Au]

Some of this reminds me of my 6 and 8 year old nephews who visited a couple years ago. While discussing where they would sleep, I suggested pitching a tent in the back yard, thinking it would be a great adventure.
Response was : " eeeuuww, yuck, there are bugs out there."
Let's face it, even Howard Hughes could not keep bug free. They outnumber us by an unimaginable number.
You might try traveling with a couple of cats as we do. At least they teach the bugs to keep out of sight. However if you are also afraid of cats, that's another problem. Perhaps, we need universal service, so everyone would get to spend a few nights in a fox hole. Even if the the rear trunk doesn't keep out spiders, I hope it would keep out the bear who bit a few holes in our sewer hose a couple years ago. But I guess the diet of bears is a whole new thread.
Regards,
Ken

[richinny]

the bear thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...eam-53997.html

[Gene]

Our utility door is on the side and I would have to cut myself in half to get in there to open the door. I could kidnap a child, but he'd have to be pretty strong to lift the bed.

But that is not the worst problem. The door stays open while we take things out and put them in. We were recently in NM where we saw tarantulas (it's mating season now, so they're looking around for some action, the males not knowing the females sometimes eat them afterward). We didn't see scorpions, but they are there.

Everyone knows tarantulas and scorpions are a lot like us—they like aluminum and will jump into the door and wait for us to go to sleep and eat their way through the converter. The tarantulas, sex crazed as they are, "attack" us while we dream. The scorpions wait in our shoes to sting us when we jump out of bed screaming after the tarantulas try to have sex with us.

Camping sure is tough in the southwest.

Gene