19' Tommy Bahama space saver bathroom door

[Ruscal]

I just saw a video of a new Bahama 19 Bambi. It showed a double action hinged bi-fold bathroom door. It could be folded inward or outward to increase knee room for the throne or drying off from the shower. Gone is the diagonal door, it is either in or out. It creates a square space. I would like to convert our 19' Safari if I can locate hardware and matching white washed oak panels.
Has anyone on the forum done this mod?
Russ

[GMFL]

I know a few have seen it in person during a tour and stated it was hard to operate and culmbersome to use. Check with RFP on the 23D thread

[overlander63]

Some people have removed the door, and installed a curved curtain rod and curtain as a divider.

[knunut]

We removed the(Bathroom) door in our 07. Put up "Tropical Curtain" Also matching one on window. Beautiful look. One of Best Mods we made. Also made it easier for person to work in kitchen and use bathroom at same time.Easy to do and you will like it.
Save door and hardware for next owner.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by GMFL

I know a few have seen it in person during a tour and stated it was hard to operate and culmbersome to use. Check with RFP on the 23D thread

Yep, here's our highly subjective 'review' ...
-------------------------------------------------

Linda and I just had the two-bit tour of the new 19' Tommy Bahama at our local Airstream dealer (Vogt RV, Fort Worth, Texas). It's a pretty trailer, even though some of its 'features' we found to be pretty silly (such as the glass-front, glitzy wine storage rack ).

The woven floor is lovely, really looks beautiful with the rest of the trailer's decor.

All those leather-strap door and drawer pulls sure didn't sing to us!

We were not impressed with the new bathroom door. It looks big and bulky and seems to be a bit fiddly to operate (just as we expected). The leather snap closure doesn't hold a candle to the nice bathroom door latch on the trailers we all have. To us it was just an unnecessary complication. As is so often the case, the "fix" is worse than the "problem."

But we realize you may love it. Good thing Airstream makes more than one model, huh?

Rob

PS: We thought it was simply "ugly"

[hahnstead]

I saw the Tommy B. model at Alumapalooza last month and thought the bi-fold bathroom door was a great idea. I didn't have any trouble positioning it. Would like to retrofit one on my '08 23D. Airstream parts/service dept. couldn't say if they would be able to do it, at least not at this time. Would be an easy DIY project if one could purchase the necessary hardware. I also like the curtain idea but don't think my wife would go for it.

[ocropper]

I got a quote from Jackson Center of ~$3500 and 2 working days to modify our 19' cloud to have the bifold door. Thinking about turning toilet similar to that of '18 models

[Ruscal]

Thanks to all who have replied! I like the concept of convertible space, even if there are some reasonable tradeoffs. Due to the negative responses by some who have operated the door I should find one to demo before making a decision. I would expect the bifold to be slower to operate, as one would have to pivot it out toward you and guide the hinged edges of the assembly out or inward until it went inside out. I would not expect a conventional door knob latch to work, but can see where a magnetic arrangement or simple flap with snap could.
Russ

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Ruscal

< snip > Due to the negative responses by some who have operated the door I should find one to demo before making a decision.

I think that this is really wise... when you do, please post your impressions.

Originally Posted by Ruscal

< snip > simple flap with snap could.
Russ

The strap-with-snaps that the factory uses really seemed rinky-dink to us. The door just kind of rattled around as we struggled to "snap the snap" ... maybe we're just uncoordinated!

[Zed2]

Here are the part numbers for the Bi-fold door. Who's first in the upgrade project?

Airstream lavatory bifold door.pdf

Keith

[Ruscal]

Keith,
Thanks for the post.
I can't picture how that hinge in the middle would allow the door to pivot both ways without hinge bind. It would seem that a 2 pin hinge at the center would be required. I have not seen an actual trailer with that setup yet though.
Russ

[Zed2]

Russ,
Place your fingertips together making a steeple point, not invert the steeple point downward, keeping the tips of your fingers together. One pin hinge functions the same.
Keith

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Ruscal

Keith,
Thanks for the post.
I can't picture how that hinge in the middle would allow the door to pivot both ways without hinge bind. It would seem that a 2 pin hinge at the center would be required. I have not seen an actual trailer with that setup yet though.
Russ

Russ,

Looking closely, you can see that the inside edge of each door is not 90-degrees, but rather cut at a fairly acute angle. The 'pin' of the piano hinge is on the outer edge, so that the door will swing either direction (within the limits of the angle-cut of the doors' edges).

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Zed2

< snip > Who's first in the upgrade project?

Attachment 304797

Keith

Not me, Keith. As much as I like to fiddle with stuff, this design has zero appeal to us. In our world, this is a 'solution' in search of a problem. We just use the accordion door for full privacy, even with the bathroom door opened all the way to touching the bed.

I would encourage anybody considering changing to this door to actually see - and use - one in person.

Of course, I'm old and set in my ways

Rob

[Ruscal]

OK, I see how it works. They can at least make it to 90 degrees each way.
Our trailer has the accordion door removed, so no privacy.
Russ

[uraljohn]

We have a 2017 Int. Serenity 23D. At the Tampa RV show earlier this year, noticed that the split bath door was available in the Flying Cloud 23D and the International 23D's. I called Jackson Center and they were kind enough to give me part #'s for my conversion. 2 piano hinges, 2 door sections, 2 magnets, and the Z bar the fits to the wall next to the sink basin. About $700.00 in all. It looks to be an easy conversion. I took lots of pics of the door installed by factory on a International Serenity. Will be ordering parts later this year. We love our 23D, but this will give some additional knee room for the throne. Happy travels.

[Zed2]

uraljohn,
What are the part numbers you were provided?
Thanks,
Keith

[Gallego]

Originally Posted by ocropper

I got a quote from Jackson Center of ~$3500 and 2 working days to modify our 19' cloud to have the bifold door. Thinking about turning toilet similar to that of '18 models

I didn't notice until now that they have given an angle to the toilet. Is this something easy to do?

[chicagoair]

Originally Posted by uraljohn

At the Tampa RV show earlier this year, noticed that the split bath door was available in the Flying Cloud 23D and the International 23D's.

They have made the same update on the Flying Cloud 19CB.

[uraljohn]

In order to get part numbers for your particular conversion, you need to find a 2018 23D model that matches yours (flying cloud, international signature or serenity) then get the last six numbers of the serial number off that unit. When you call dealer you give them the numbers and tell them you want to order replacement doors, hinges, Z bar, and magnets. I used the serial number off of a unit that was in stock at Airstream dealer in Ft. Myers, Florida. This way you get doors that match your interior. Visit a dealer that has your match and take a bunch of pictures. This is easy conversion for anyone that is a bit handy at working on there rig. $3500.00 at JC for this seems a like a lot of $$$$.