Battery drawer slide failure Help needed

[oliver00]

Traveling through Charlevoix Michigan last night @9:00 and a horrible sound came from under the middle of our 370 classic. The entire battery drawer hit the ground and was dragging bye the battery cables. Not sure how it happened but both the left and right slides are damaged beyond repair. Only 10 miles from our destination a good samaritan helped strap the drawer back on hanging from the windows above letting us limp the final few miles. The drawer slides are not standard and Airstream Supply shows them as no longer available. My problem is I don't have any fabrication equipment at my disposal as I'm 650 miles from home so I need some of the original slides if anyone knows where some are available as used take off etc.

Oliver

http://airstreamsupply.com/Airstream...classic-381037

[Rich W]

Have you checked with any sheet metal shops around you? They might have something that can hold it temporarily. A replacement window business is another place I would try. Good luck

[dennis3751]

You may be able to use something like Accuride or other full extension drawer supports. Some have 200 lb or more carrying capacity. It may take a little modification so new slides bolt up correctly. I'm sure they are available on Amazon and possibly at a Woodcraft or other wood working store. Good luck.
Dennis

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by oliver00

Traveling through Charlevoix Michigan last night @9:00 and a horrible sound came from under the middle of our 370 classic. The entire battery drawer hit the ground and was dragging bye the battery cables. Not sure how it happened but both the left and right slides are damaged beyond repair. Only 10 miles from our destination a good samaritan helped strap the drawer back on hanging from the windows above letting us limp the final few miles. The drawer slides are not standard and Airstream Supply shows them as no longer available. My problem is I don't have any fabrication equipment at my disposal as I'm 650 miles from home so I need some of the original slides if anyone knows where some are available as used take off etc.

Oliver

http://airstreamsupply.com/Airstream...classic-381037

Oliver, can you post a picture of your original drawer slide? Also need lengths as well. I think I have some slides from a 345 drawer that might work.

Brad

[oliver00]

This is what the slide looks like on another compartment. It is an Accuride slide with an extra piece of steel on each side. @23" long travel is 20"

[oliver00]

This is what you look like on the side of highway 31 working on a battery drawer that just fell off.

[bkahler]

Oliver, my slides are a little over 21" long and extend to about 40". Physically they appear to be about the same as yours. If you think they might work send me a PM and we can discuss.




Brad

[Isuzusweet]

As a cabinetmaker that has worked with these slides for many years I was amazed that Airstream used them on my 310, especially with my four foot sliding drawer on the drivers side. These slides are only rated for 100 lbs max, so taking into account the weight of the drawer, drawer access doors, slides themselves and paint it doesn't leave much to overload these slides, especially if loaded with batteries. Heck two batteries puts it over the limit. Yes, Accuride do make a heavy duty slide, but it's 3/4" thick and should have been used in the first place.

I am actually thinking of having Mike's (Mayco) simple door with storage compartment and not drawer as it would allow me to load far more than I can now.

Goodluck with replacements, but know their lifetime is also limited.

Cheers
Tony

[bkahler]

Tony, I think Oliver's biggest problem at the moment is he's 650 miles from home with a broken battery tray and no real resources for repairs. It sounds like he's going to need something quick and dirty just to get him home safely.

[oliver00]

That exactly right I have had 4 batteries in this drawer for the last 25,000 miles. In hide sight maybe a bad idea. Hopefully with brads slides and two batteries I will be able to get home without another accident.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Tony, I think Oliver's biggest problem at the moment is he's 650 miles from home with a broken battery tray and no real resources for repairs. It sounds like he's going to need something quick and dirty just to get him home safely.

Sorry for the ramble; just saying, modifying the drawers to accept 3/4" heavy duty's that can carry 350 lbs+ is neccessary.

Carry on.

Cheers
Tony

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Sorry for the ramble; just saying, modifying the drawers to accept 3/4" heavy duty's that can carry 350 lbs+ is neccessary.

Carry on.

Cheers
Tony

Or buy lighter batteries

[Hans 34.5]

I would only put one battery back in it to get home, duck tape one battery up the rest goes in the MO.

[oliver00]

Well thanks to Brad and the USPS I got a good set of slides to repair our battery box. It looks like they used the same slides for many years thank goodness. Now time to repair the skin that got torn from the drawer so there are locks on it. I do plan on only running 2 batteries home to lighten the load. Thanks again for everyone's help.

[Isuzusweet]

Once again a huge thanks to our intrepid leader for saving everything, and in doing so, somebody's day. I hope one day a parts coach comes along so I can help out as well.

Three cheers for Brad

Cheers
Tony

[bkahler]

Great! I was hoping the slides would get there Wednesday and not Thursday like the post office said could happen. Hopefully now you'll be able to complete your trip as planned.

Tony, you do realize there's no way I could be anyone's leader. One of the position requirements is you have to have a real running Airstream motorhome. That's something I don't have and won't have for a LONG time...