Interstate Mods - I'll go First

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

Hmmmm, that's not what ours did.

You may have a different kind of problem.

I'm sure I do. I have all kinds of problems. Just ask the voices in my head, they'll tell you!

But in this case, even though it's not the same latch problem it's still a latch problem. Close enough to note the coincidence, at least.

[jquayle]

I've had a problem with the sliding door since I bought mine just over a year ago. You've always had to REALLY slam the door to get it closed. Dealer blew it off when I brought it in for service saying that was normal. Yesterday when I was sitting in the van waiting for my wife to finish getting her nails done, I happen to be looking at the trim and noticed that the black trim around the slider wasn't even all along the edge. Opening the door and looking at it closer I found the rubber molding had come out of its track and was basically smashed to the outside of the door. All the extra rubber sticking out is what was making the door hard to close. I was able to mostly put it back to normal, but I'm going to insist mbz replace it since it's actually 2 separate pieces and held in place with some double sided. (Which is all mangled)

[73shark]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Your latch broke? Funny you should say that. In the past couple of weeks, I've noticed that, if I slide the side door ALL the way open, and try to close it from inside, it gets stuck back there. Opens fine from inside or outside, and closes fine from outside. Which tells the that somewhere between the button at the top of the inside handle and the hold-open latch, there's a disconnect.

Hopefully there's a linkage adjustment that will correct this. May require judicious bending or duct tape.

[roadmama]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I may have said this before— apologies if I have— but the one modification that I'd like to see above all others is sliding steps for the front doors like the one for the sliding side door. Especially if they could offer a retrofit kit for older Interstates so I wouldn't have to trade mine in to get them. Those molded-in steps are ankle-breakers!

Totally agree. I also feel like I'm tripping over myself getting in and out of the driver's seat.

[Boxster1971]

Several months ago the fold down bed expanders on my EXT Lounge model broke. The screws in hinges of these fold down cushions pulled out from dropping in without the center brace pulled out.

Yesterday I pulled the folding cushions completely out of the van and opened the zippered end. The screws were inserted into the end grain of the chip board base that had split. There is no way these will hold up under normal use. So I glued up the cracked/split ends of the base board and added new stronger hinges to hold the cushions. Fortunately I had some aluminum piano hinges that were perfect for the job. Picture attached.

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Several months ago the fold down bed expanders on my EXT Lounge model broke. The screws in hinges of these fold down cushions pulled out from dropping in without the center brace pulled out.

Yesterday I pulled the folding cushions completely out of the van and opened the zippered end. The screws were inserted into the end grain of the chip board base that had split. There is no way these will hold up under normal use. So I glued up the cracked/split ends of the base board and added new stronger hinges to hold the cushions. Fortunately I had some aluminum piano hinges that were perfect for the job. Picture attached.

Good work Mike. But chipboard? I thought plywood was used everywhere. With all the issues I've had on my new Interstate, I'm losing faith in Airstream's quality.
Peter

[73shark]

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

With all the issues I've had on my new Interstate, I'm losing faith in Airstream's quality.
Peter

+1 on that.

[MILATV]

After having stuff fall out on me when opening rear doors I added eye hooks for bungee cords. The EXT has around 8-10" behind the bed (even with bolsters down) so I like to leave table, grill, chairs in the camper.

Just pulled out the factory screw and replaced with eye hooks.

MUCH BETTER! May replace with tailgate net when I get back to home base.

[73shark]

I guess that's one of the drawbacks to having that extra space back there.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by 73shark

I guess that's one of the drawbacks to having that extra space back there.

I assure you - there are NO drawbacks to space in an AS!

[Boxster1971]

During our long summer trip the rear bumper got some bad scratches from the load I had on rear carrier. I had planned to add some non-skid safety tape to the bumper anyway to make it safer climbing in and out of rear area. It came out even better than planned. Got a 12 foot roll of 4" tape off amazon as the local Lowes/HD only had 25 foot rolls - a lot more than I needed.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

During our long summer trip the rear bumper got some bad scratches from the load I had on rear carrier. I had planned to add some non-skid safety tape to the bumper anyway to make it safer climbing in and out of rear area. It came out even better than planned. Got a 12 foot roll of 4" tape off amazon as the local Lowes/HD only had 25 foot rolls - a lot more than I needed.

I love it, I have 2-3 cuts in mine already at 3,000 miles. I'll have the tape waiting for me when I get home!

[fb47243]

[russ240]

I like it. Where did you get that valve? Got a part number?

[fb47243]

Shut-Off Valve-PVC Elbow Male NPT - 1/2 Push-in x 3/4 Male NPT -
Part # I1410825

freshwatersystems.com


doesnt appear to be about .25 inches below the support bracket for the tank and no lower than the studs holding the tank. Only a 1/2 inch OD outlet but beats having to remove the plug to drain.

[David M]

Originally Posted by fb47243

Shut-Off Valve-PVC Elbow Male NPT - 1/2 Push-in x 3/4 Male NPT -
Part # I1410825

freshwatersystems.com

doesnt appear to be about .25 inches below the support bracket for the tank and no lower than the studs holding the tank. Only a 1/2 inch OD outlet but beats having to remove the plug to drain.

Thank you! I just ordered the part!
David

[pattonsr]

Did you also get the clear 1/2" ID tubing at freshwatersystems?

[fb47243]

Home Depot for the tubing. Was going to get more ridgid CPVC but they didnt have it in 1/2. BTW - Its 1/2 in OD needed for the outlet.

[eliasurbina]

All, I just had this made with very strong netting. Works great for those cool nights.

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by eliasurbina

All, I just had this made with very strong netting. Works great for those cool nights.

Very nice. Can you please let us know who made it (I'd like one) and how it's attached and sealed to the doorway.
And don't you really mean it's great for those warm nights?
Peter