Airstream Junk yards?

Anne556 · 07-09-2003, 06:53 PM

I'm wondering if there is such a thing a an Airstream junk yard for wrecked Airstream trailers. I need to get a replacement door for my badly dented exterior door to my 98 Bambi. I dfo not want to pay full retail (over $1200 plus shipping) from the manufacturer. Does anyone out there have an idea where to get a "used" door to match my trailer? Thanks!

LittleRadio · 07-09-2003, 07:15 PM

Always check e-bay! You'd be amazed what you can find -- especially when it comes to odd-ball parts and things.

thenewkid64 · 07-09-2003, 07:29 PM

Anne,

There are two places that I know of, one in Mo. and one in Fl. Neither of them are Airstream only, they just have some on the lot. Colaws in Mo. will ship parts and while it may be tough to get someone on the phone at times prices are reasonable. On something as large as a door they may be reluctant to ship it, and I do not know where you are located. If you fill out your profile a bit more it would help. Who knows there could be someone in the next town parting out a trailer right now.

The boneyard in fl. is Bobs rv salvage. If you search for either that or colaws on the forum you will find pictures of some of the units as well as contact info. Good luck!

Anne556 · 07-09-2003, 07:38 PM

Thanks to all who have replied. I will check out those sources and any others that are posted after this. BTW, I am in So. CA.

thenewkid64 · 07-09-2003, 07:46 PM

Anne,

There is one other option I neglected to mention. If the door is structurally sound and opens and closes fine there is no reason to replace the whole door. It can be reskinned with fresh aluminum and sould not be 1200.00 to do. I do not know how many SQ ft of skin you would need, but it should be minimal and rivets, tools and sealants would run less than 375.00. If you can replace the door yourself then you should be able to reskin it too.

I would contact a Airstream dealer, or Inland RV and see what the Aluminum costs before replacing the whole door.

Anne556 · 07-09-2003, 07:51 PM

Brett,

I have thought about just replacing the aluminum sheet metal skin, that is, if I can fond someone to do it. I am close enough to Inland RV to inquire there. If I can get it done for under $400, I'd be tickled pink!

thenewkid64 · 07-09-2003, 08:00 PM

The bigest part of the repair is going to be the labor. If you take it to a dealer taht does skin repair, he may have enough "skin" trimmings that he would be able to do it without having to order it. Not only that but you should get a deal on using a "scrap".

Is it the door all over or only the lower half that is in need of repair?

Forrest · 07-09-2003, 08:47 PM

Check at the local airports. They do aluminum skin repair all the time and are very professional. Plus they get it done fast, have the tools, have scraps of Alclad to do the job, all at reasonable prices. A lot of Airstreamers have used airports for just the type of repair you need.

For instance I picked up an 8' x 6' sheet of Alclad for $35 at a local small plane parts manufacturer. They cut my scrape of aluminum from a larger piece of scrap. They had a lot of it on hand, and were very friendly.

Forrest

Silvertwinkie · 07-10-2003, 05:11 AM

I went the way of Yahoo and used their search engine. I found a few here in the midwest. None were Airstream only, but each had hundreds if not thousands of parts.

Eric

Anne556 · 07-10-2003, 09:19 PM

Brett,

Yes, only the bottom half of the panel of the door needs replacing. I just got a price from a local dealer who wants about $73 for the lower panel, but with rivets, tax & labor the final price is $831. Ouch! Unfortunately, I'm not able to do the work myself, but I might have someone that can. I'll have to check into that option.

Thanks for your help on this one!