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clicknathan · 01-12-2013, 10:46 PM

Has anyone ever attempted to replace their tambours with netting?

I find them to be incredibly annoying to use (the tambours) and was considering a few options for replacing them.

One was from this thread, where they took the tambours and used them as the facing for new cabinets: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f379...ors-32943.html

One was to try and work in some type of metal (thin aluminum I suppose) "slides" into the existing grooves where the tambours live now.

And the final was to create some type of net and hook system using something like this: 8"x60" Barrier Net [OBR860BSHCZCJ] - Organized Obie

I'm not sure how well "bungee" nets like that would handle travel though.

Foiled Again · 01-13-2013, 01:46 AM

I think it's definitely an option - and these things are designed to work on boats and RV's. The bad part? Unless you want to decorate to look like a hunting cabin they're not all that attractive. Another downside is that they could be a bit of a PITA to use if you're looking for something in the back of an overhead cabinet. And you'll have to keep the contents orderly since they will be on display.

HOWEVER - thanks for finding them. I've always wanted something exactly like this to store my coffee mugs in. The odd shape of the overhead cabinets means the upper third is basically not usable. I've thought of hanging my mugs from hooks but can just imagine them smashing each other while towing. I don't need another "safely stow..." item on my towing list so I've not done anything. Nets the perfect answer.

I know they DO make new tambours - Some metallic. I personally like the look of the International overhead cabinets - with sliding semi-transparent doors. Because the newer Airstreams have a different profile and the 25+ feet ones are wide body the cabinets are much bigger. You don't have to duck to open a slider and it takes up less space than a tambour's roller. However if your slides aren't high quality, the inserts can jump the track and you do have to use something to keep the doors from opening in transit (champaign corks work well.)

Paula

clicknathan · 01-13-2013, 02:02 PM

Yeah I was hoping to find some nets that are brown or "rope like" in color/texture, but still had a little bungee to them.

So then they could e permanently attached to one side of the opening and have hooks halfway and then again at the other end. That way you could open them halfway or all the way.

And we'll be stowing everything in metallic baskets (ie, storage containers made of tightly woven mesh like a shrunken chain link fence) so I think it'll look nice.

Our eventual plan is to do a sort of nautical theme (though I hate that word, think more pirate than docksiders) so if we score some nets that are rope looking I think they'll fit in well.

I'm curious, how do you use corks to keep sliding doors closed in transit?