Accordion privacy door not groovin'

[Sharon_Jon]

We would appreciate any help or ideas from the experts. Our 2014 27' International FB has two sliding, privacy, accordion pocket doors. They slide in a grooved track held up by plastic tabs. The first vertical segment of the door is heavier. The following door segments are a lighter material.

After >50,000 miles of bouncing while being towed the tab on the first segment of the door between the bath area and the kitchen/dining area has now become worn and narrowed. At the end of a drive and sometimes during a stay at a campground the first segment falls out making the door not usable. See attached photo demonstrating this.

At a dealer somewhere out west we were told the entire door needed to be replaced. Anyone had a similar problem? Any ideas for a cheaper fix? Your help is greatly appreciated as always.
Jon and Sharon

[wulfraat]

I had the same issue. I ordered a new door as I could not find a replacement "T" support. I shopped around and colonial airstream had the best price, drop shipped from Airstream to my front door.

Note that the new style doors (mine was black) have a much larger "T" support that holds the heavy plastic handle so that it doesn't rip out like the smaller one...

[LBOskiBear]

I had this happen on my prior AS and I can't remember how the dealer fixed it - it was actually the first few hanging segments.

On the current AS, I'm kind of paranoid so I am really gentle when pulling it and tend to guide the whole thing along the track versus using the first as the "handle"

[Johnco]

The first time the tabs in my 06 broke I contacted the manufacturer (I think it was Irvine Door) and they sent me a packet of replacement tabs no charge. I've had to replace the tabs twice in the last 10 years. Check your door for a manufacture's sticker and try contacting them directly.

[SeeMore]

Ditto on Johnco's point regarding contacting the manufacturer. You'll get a packet of replacement plastic parts for free within a week.

It is not a very difficult task to remove the screw holding the track on one end for inserting the new carrier into the track. To repair, you only need to drill out the rivet that holds the carrier in place and then use a new rivet for the replacement. I've done the task twice on my trailer in ten years as well.

You do NOT need a a replacement door!

[samiam8888]

I have the same prob on an 08 Ocean Breeze 27 FB and was just trying to figure it out too. Did the replacement (from sliding door manufacturer) rivets come with the hangar and how do you install the rivet? Thanks.

[Sharon_Jon]

Thanks for the ideas. We will discern the manufacturer and contact them to see if they have an easy solution. We are not very "handy" so drilling out rivets is probably beyond our talents. Wulfraat, when you replace the door is it a matter of simply sliding in "T"pieces? Does the end of the accordion door need to be secured against the trailer wall?

[David F]

I recently replaced the factory door in my '67 Caravel with an Irvine Door and Shade door. The manufacturer rep that sold me the door was/is:

Shade-Man
www.shade-man.com
574-320-9095
rd3523@aol.com

[3wd67rg]

We simply removed ours. The wood door right between the kitchen and the bathroom/shower area made the accordion door redundant.

[thegarse]

Hi, I was able to follow your guidance above to secure a new plastic parts. I'm not sure what do to with the brass grommet fittings they sent. Any suggestions? I guess I can go the rivet route but I'm guessing they sent the for a reason. Thanks in advance.

[GMFL]

It is a rivet made to press with an arbor press. Works like a shoe eyelet to hold the plastic slide piece to the door.

[Steamy1]

Here is how I repaired our curtain. I used a small bolt with a nylon washer from the top and secure with a lock nut through an L bracket.

Hope this gives you another idea. Parts cost just a couple of dollars and much more secure than the original plastic parts.

[Sharon_Jon]

Thanks--although your method looks excellent, we tried yet another when ours came apart again after our one fix attempt and a SOB dealer's attempt. We put two small screws thru the first fabric fold into the plastic of the end piece. Time will tell . . . .