Front pano window latches

[AirMiles]

The problem with mine (the day I bought my new 2017) was that the "keyhole" spun inside the rubber grommet. There was no way to latch them because the "keyhole" kept spinning. I went back to the dealer and they said this is common but they didn't have any spare ones in stock. So I decided to permanently fix mine with the stainless steel bolts, nuts, and washers. I feel more confident in a through bolted connection than that tiny little 1/4 turn screw with 1/16" nubs as I drive down the Interstate highways.

[Garfish]

Screws in mine also fell out and had to get lock washer back on. Add to that pushing a screw driver towards trailer is asking for trouble. They are just poor quality. Doing the bolt and lock nut. Great fix

[Airabel]

I have a 16' Sport with the same problem. Am I missing something though? The 1/4 turns only keep the two side window rock guards in place until the front window guard are secured with the rubber straps. Once the straps are scure how can the side rockguard come open?

[SSquared]

Originally Posted by Airabel

I have a 16' Sport with the same problem. Am I missing something though? The 1/4 turns only keep the two side window rock guards in place until the front window guard are secured with the rubber straps. Once the straps are scure how can the side rockguard come open?

I have not had the fasteners fail on the road, but I think it would be disastrous. I believe the window guards are flexible enough that a gust from a semi going the other way would flex them to the point they would fly open. Notice that if/when they go, they will put a big crease in the skin next to the hinge. And the forcible removal would either rip the hinges out of the skin, or at least deform the skin. Finally, the person behind you on the road might wreck while swerving around the debris.

And as for the fasteners, I had one fail when my trailer was new. I opened the covers to clean them and one of the fasteners just would not hold afterward.

I think AirMiles is on the right track with his modification. But I'm nervous about doing it myself for fear of not getting the new pop rivets in right. I don't have a lot of faith in the strength of pop rivets in general. Would Olympic rivets work here? Is there enough room in the space between the windows for the Olympics to expand properly? Is this a case for rivnuts?

[Airabel]

I'm a bit reluctant too. Have little experience with rivets. On the Sport, an exposed stud and nut won't work very well because there's a weatherstrip on the rock guard that fits flush over the 1/4 turns. Has to be a pan head of some kind. Has anyone simply tried a self-taping pan head screw?
I did put a small strip of gorilla tape over each 1/4 turn to keep them from backing out.

[Garfish]

Checked the front, strapped down window cover holding the side ones in. Problem is if the pano comes loose it drops down and could slip past and fly open

[Rich of SCal]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

The problem with mine (the day I bought my new 2017) was that the "keyhole" spun inside the rubber grommet. There was no way to latch them because the "keyhole" kept spinning. I went back to the dealer and they said this is common but they didn't have any spare ones in stock. So I decided to permanently fix mine with the stainless steel bolts, nuts, and washers. I feel more confident in a through bolted connection than that tiny little 1/4 turn screw with 1/16" nubs as I drive down the Interstate highways.

Got any pics of that?

[AirMiles]

Got any pics of that? Yes, here is a picture of my Airstream the day I brought it home 5-15-2017. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ml#post1950194 Its the same picture as my avatar picture. Now look closely, can't you see the spinning keyhole? LOL But seriously, look closely at the picture again. Notice its missing its left Window guard? I drove it back to the dealer and they couldn't re-attach it either, and didn't have any replacements parts. Therefore, I decided to come up with another solution which I shared with pictures here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ml#post1996232

[Airabel]

I removed my front window rock guard this morning. One 1/4 turn on the curb side window had popped out and could not be reinserted due to misalignment. I was able to move the rock guard up on its hinge pins enough to improve alignment but the 1/4 turn would still not engage.
Tried a slighty longer 1/4 turn I bought as a spare and it did engage. Moral of story, align holes by lifting up on the hing pin and go get a bunch of spare 1/4 turns.

[Garfish]

Where did you find the 1/4 longer screw?

[Airabel]

"Turn Stud" #685358 J3 from Windish RV, Denver Colorado. They are the same Southcoast 100's as original but are for a flat head screwdriver and seem to grip better.
Also I had to remove the thin washer from the original and did not install on new one. Probably will next time.