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11-02-2019, 09:02 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 773
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Upgrade storage compartment door wires
As you can see from the pictures, the wires that hold up the door on my storage compartment have cut through the door gasket.
This was on my warranty list for my dealer but I did not discover that they neglected to repair it until I got my trailer home. I called Airstream and had them send me a new gasket.
I want to replace the wire with a larger diameter which will be better for the gasket. Today, I went to Home Depot and Ace hardware but was unable to find the connectors that go on the door and inside the storage compartment.
They are similar to electrical connections but a little more stout.
I’m also concerned about drilling out the river as I’m afraid the inside part will be stuck inside the door forever.
Anyone tackle this project successfully?
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11-03-2019, 05:28 AM
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#2
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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I’m not at my trailer to get visionary powers but how about a plastic shield between gasket and wire?
Maybe a thicker piece of a coolant jug handle that has a curve to cover seal and attach inside or zip tie to wire.
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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11-03-2019, 05:48 AM
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#3
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billrector
I’m afraid the inside part will be stuck inside the door forever.
Anyone tackle this project successfully?
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Bill,
You can just drill that rivet out. The rivet stem will remain inside the hatch door but the door is foam filled so it will not rattle around on the inside.
Just note, that rivet is Stainless Steel “Not” aluminum. This is to increase the tensile strength. So you will want to replace it with another Stainless rivet.
Also note it’s going to need to be drilled out with a sharp bit and steady pressure.
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11-03-2019, 05:53 AM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
New Hyde Park
, New York
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 429
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GC,
How about cutting a 2” long piece of #10 or #12 copper wire.
Using a razor knife, slice lengthwise through 1 side of the insulation and remove the copper wire.
Install the empty insulation covering over the steel cable and secure in place with either duct tape or baby Ty-raps.
In the future, try not to place anything heavy or lean on the storage door.
Hope this helps.
__________________
Bruce
2021 Ram 1500 Laramie - 5.7L Hemi eTORQUE
Airstream Club International #2600
I’d rather be camping is an understatement!
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11-03-2019, 10:11 AM
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#5
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Married with Airstream
2004 25' International CCD
Vancouver Island
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 934
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__________________
La Dolce Vita Brick & Mona
We're Married With Airstream dot com
2004 International 25CCD Registered Name "Blue Streak"
2013 F-150HD FX4 SuperCrew Lariart (MaxTow) "Red Dragon"
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11-03-2019, 10:13 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Mesquite
, Nevada
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 171
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I am curious, do you use the compartment door as a platform - I mean put weight on it? These doors are so light it seems the only thing that would cause the gasket to be cut would be weight on the door causing excess wire tension.
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11-03-2019, 10:29 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 773
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken G
I am curious, do you use the compartment door as a platform - I mean put weight on it? These doors are so light it seems the only thing that would cause the gasket to be cut would be weight on the door causing excess wire tension.
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I store bins about the size of a shoe box inside the compartment. Since the compartment is right behind the propane tanks, it is hard to get into the compartment except from the side. So I’m sure that some weight is put on the door as I drag the appropriate box out. I think wires over a rubber gasket is a dumb design!
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11-03-2019, 10:30 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2007 28' International CCD
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,423
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I covered ours in small diameter automotive vacuum hose.Available at Orielly's
Autoparts
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11-03-2019, 10:40 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 773
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moflash
I covered ours in small diameter automotive vacuum hose.Available at Orielly's
Autoparts
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Ah vacuum hose! I looked at vinyl hose yesterday but the smallest was 1/4”. Vacuum hose is genius! I assume you split it with a razor?
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11-03-2019, 01:53 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2007 28' International CCD
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,423
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billrector
Ah vacuum hose! I looked at vinyl hose yesterday but the smallest was 1/4”. Vacuum hose is genius! I assume you split it with a razor?
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I did just that.Works great
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11-03-2019, 02:49 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 283
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On my compartment door cables I have them anchored outside the gasket in the frame. Never had a problem with cut gaskets.
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11-03-2019, 03:06 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 773
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Streamracer
On my compartment door cables I have them anchored outside the gasket in the frame. Never had a problem with cut gaskets.
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Was there a thread or a post on that? I seem to remember it but I could not find it with a search earlier today.
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11-04-2019, 06:27 AM
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#13
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1 Rivet Member
2017 25' Flying Cloud
T
, Ontario
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
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Storage hatch door cutting rubber seal
Clear vinyl tubing (Tractor Supply, but many other places), left over from extending the snout on the fridge drip tray so it would reach further into the drain tube. Used an Exacto knife (is that a trademark?) to cut it lengthwise in a bit of a spiral, hoping it would be less likely that the wire would find its way into the split. Wrapped it with electrical tape anyway (hey, we were on the road - you use what you’ve got lying around). Two years on still working. As is the fridge drip tray snout.
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11-04-2019, 08:03 AM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
2016 27' International
Anacortes
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 103
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Another idea FWIW is the plastic spiral wound electrical tubing for automotive electrical wiring. The smallest diameter is .25"....at least that I have seen, and have used. Flexible and simple to slip over entire attached wire. Cut to length. Then electrical tape around both ends of the tubing.
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11-04-2019, 08:15 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,108
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IMHO, slip on a few lengths of every increasing diameter heat shrink tubing. this should mitigate future sharp edges and unlike tape, will not skip or unravel
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11-05-2019, 06:08 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2017 16' Sport
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,789
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How about a piece of flat ridged plastic stored inside the compartment, when opening door place it between gasket and wire, add a placard on inside of compartment to remind you to insert plastic . Anyway that’s my thought although haven’t tried it.
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11-05-2019, 07:58 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,657
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Put weight on the door? YES!
I use my rear compartment for the power cables, so it's difficult to store or remove the cables without dragging them over the door. I even coil the power cable ON the door.
I watch these ideas looking for a nice solution, thanks!
Now if the compartment light would not turn on every time it's bumped!
Bad design. (I actually thought the light automatically came on when the door opened, until one night I saw the glow under the bed!)
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11-08-2019, 11:59 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 773
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So I thought I’d follow up with my issue of the wire cutting into the storage compartment gasket on my FC 27’. The vacuum line was perfect! It has a small enough I.D. to not be sloppy on the wire and a large enoughO.D. to protect the gasket well! I purchased 5’ and only needed less than half of that.
Here are the results::
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11-08-2019, 01:26 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,657
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billrector
So I thought I’d follow up with my issue of the wire cutting into the storage compartment gasket on my FC 27’. The vacuum line was perfect! It has a small enough I.D. to not be sloppy on the wire and a large enoughO.D. to protect the gasket well! I purchased 5’ and only needed less than half of that.
Here are the results::
Attachment 355809Attachment 355810
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Excellent!
Did you drill out the pop rivets on the door or slice the tubing?
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11-08-2019, 02:36 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2019 19' Flying Cloud
Canyon Country
, California
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 909
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__________________
2014 Ford Explorer XLT with factory installed Tow Package.
2019 Flying Cloud 19CBB
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