Need to replace most of my window operators. Some work, barely. Most are stripped and don't work at all. I decided to bite the bullet and just order new ones. Here's what I currently have in most of the windows. I suspect they are not original, because there are still two windows that have the HEHR ones in place. The HEHR's look more like the replcements that each of the three below have available. Does anyone else have a source for good replacements?
The arm is 7-11/16 long and the mounting holes have a 3" spacing.
Need to replace most of my window operators. Some work, barely. Most are stripped and don't work at all. I decided to bite the bullet and just order new ones. Here's what I currently have in most of the windows. I suspect they are not original, because there are still two windows that have the HEHR ones in place. The HEHR's look more like the replcements that each of the three below have available. Does anyone else have a source for good replacements?
The arm is 7-11/16 long and the mounting holes have a 3" spacing.
I've bought openers from cheaper sources and guess what, they were crap. They nylon bushing inside pushes out versus the ones from VTS have them on the inside so any pressure pushes it against the inside frame.
I've been very happy with VTS, but I WISH these F****'n things were cheaper. I just bought five, plus the nylon guides. Pretty steep price, but worth the price considering other sources break within the first season.
HTH,
Doug
__________________
65' Globetrotter 'The Otter'
56' Caravanner 'The Broomstick'
I've bought openers from cheaper sources and guess what, they were crap. They nylon bushing inside pushes out versus the ones from VTS have them on the inside so any pressure pushes it against the inside frame.
I've been very happy with VTS, but I WISH these F****'n things were cheaper. I just bought five, plus the nylon guides. Pretty steep price, but worth the price considering other sources break within the first season.
HTH,
Doug
We agree.
There are several versions of most parts available.
We strive to sell only those that we feel are top quality.
Of course, just as you said, sub standard parts are available at a cheap price. "IF" they last one season, you got your moneys worth.
It's been very interesting over my 42 years with Airstream owners.
There are 3 reasons people by Airstreams.
1. They are always in a hurry, so they want something that they can go fast.
2. They love the top quality of an Airstream, and wish to keep it that way.
3. They love the top quality of an Airstream, and could care less what parts are used to fix them, "JUST SO IT'S CHEAP."
We all know the consequences of something cheap.
We also all know, how to spend tons of hours, getting something cheap, and hope it fits. When it doesn't work out the way they thought it would, they either hide or blame someone else for the problems. BUT, they saved a little money.
We have always said, "if someone wants to RV on the cheap, for heavens sake, don't buy an Airstream."
There are several versions of most parts available.
blah...blah...blah...
We all know the consequences of something cheap.
blah...blah...blah...
And so it is.
Andy
Thank you Andy, I already found yours and noted them above.
Hence my question in the first post: "Does anyone else have a source for good replacements?"
I am happy to report the $12.09 ones arrived, were installed, and work great!
Referring back to my original post, the operator pictured there, IS a Hehr brand, and the originals. (Still has the original paint). The gears on those were pot metal that stripped out. Two that were replaced at some point in time are also Hehr, but look almost identical to the replacements I installed. They are stamped steel, not pot metal or plastic.
The replacements I installed are WCM brand. Window Components Mfg. Model# 807CK UPC# 7 15384 10240 9. The description is Roof Vent Operator Kit W/ 7-11/16" Arm. The mounting holes are spaced correctly at 2-15/16".
Now I'm going to have to order more of the "keepers" pictured below. The first one came out pretty easily, almost all of the rest of them were obliterated during removal. Before I order those, I am going to attempt to make a sliding block that the end of the arm will attach to and slide in the window channel in place of the nylon keeper.
ON EDIT: WARNING!!! I forgot to mention. This replacement is not for the faint at heart. You must drill out the hole on the end of the arm to 1/4" from the 1/8" hole that comes pre-drilled.
Thank you Andy, I already found yours and noted them above.
Hence my question in the first post: "Does anyone else have a source for good replacements?"
BTW, I was not referring to inland RV in my post.
Now those new openers, is the nylon insert on the outside or inside? Meaning can you see the insert from after you install it?
Doug
__________________
65' Globetrotter 'The Otter'
56' Caravanner 'The Broomstick'
Was your 1964 Overlander built in California or Ohio? The two plants may have used different types of window openers on side windows that year, hence my question. Did you replace the window openers in the front and rear windows? Do your front and rear windows have non-visible openers? If so, do you have a source for that style of opener? Or did you replace only openers in the side windows? Thanks,
__________________
Fred Coldwell, WBCCI #1510, AIR #2675
Denver, Colorado - WBCCI Unit 24
Charter Associate Member FCU
Vintage Airstream Club Historian
Airstream Life "Old Aluminum Adventures"
I didn't think you were. You mentioned "cheaper source" - that usually disqualifies that vendor . I guess my post was misinterpreted. As evidently both you and Andy thought I was referring to his operators as cheap quality. I simply meant that 1) I had already found his (as listed in my first post), and 2) that I wanted any other known sources for quality replacements vs the cheap/substandard ones you and he both mentioned. No harm, no foul intended. Sorry.
Quote:
Originally Posted by muddy_hollow
Now those new openers, is the nylon insert on the outside or inside? Meaning can you see the insert from after you install it?
Doug
If you are referring to the nylon "plug" as pictured below, then it is on the inside. You cannot see it once installed. The picture below is one of the replacement? Hehrs that I removed from the trailer, but the new WCM replacements were pretty much identical in construction to the Hehrs. I'd show a picture of that one, but they are already installed.
Was your 1964 Overlander built in California or Ohio? The two plants may have used different types of window openers on side windows that year, hence my question. Did you replace the window openers in the front and rear windows? Do your front and rear windows have non-visible openers? If so, do you have a source for that style of opener? Or did you replace only openers in the side windows? Thanks,
Fred -
Mine is a Ohio built. I replaced every operator except the two on the front window. Those two are still in working condition. Most of the operators were the Hehr's pictured in my first post, and still had the zolatone on them so I am assuming they were the original. Two operators were the Hehr's pictured in the post above this one. They did not have zolatone on them. I assume they were replacements at some time in this trailers history. There were also two cheap/substandard ones that I removed that had fallen apart, and weren't even complete.
All the windows were identical in their operators (save the replacements already mentioned). My front/back and side windows have the same openers and latches. I'm not familiar with the non-visible openers.
Quick Links
. Before I order those, I am going to attempt to make a sliding block that the end of the arm will attach to and slide in the window channel in place of the nylon keeper.
Linear Mode
