Horror! Someone stole my Bowen Water Heater panel!!!

[PropMan]

I had my 1962 Bambi parked for a while in the front of my in-law's house and when I came to collect it I noticed that the original Bowen water heater removeable panel was gone! I am SO upset about this because a Google search revealed that nobody seems to be reproducing these and now that the original is gone I done even have a pattern for a reproduction!

My Bambi is in beautiful shape (HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF WORK!) and I use it about 5-6 times a year, most recently this June in Monumnet Valley and Zion.

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET A REPLACEMENT.

Or, better yet, had anyone out there retrofitted a Bowen with something else and want to SELL me yours? I will buy an entire unit to get the door. The model is the G-110T.

THANK YOU!!!!

[uwe]

Originally Posted by PropMan

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET A REPLACEMENT.

Or, better yet, had anyone out there retrofitted a Bowen with something else and want to SELL me yours? I will buy an entire unit to get the door. The model is the G-110T.

THANK YOU!!!!

Sorry to hear about your loss. Damn thieves.
I saw an article somewhere with instructions for a reproduction water heater cover. It had detailed information how to make one, or have one made.

Try this: http://www.vintageairstream.com/rr_topics_hwheater.html

It's a good start....

[Silvertwinky]

Originally Posted by PropMan

I recently had her stored at my in-laws house while my house was being painted and when I came to collect her I noticed that the removeable door to the Bowen Water Heater was missing!

Sorry to hear about your dilemma, those removable doors are scary!

I know you are talking about a door over the heater and I'm not exactly certain just how it's made. We once had a removable door on a 1968 Safari over a storage compartment that I always worried about; thinking I would forget it somewhere when we were out camping or just forget to lock it before leaving and then discover that it had vibrated loose and fell off somewhere on the road.

I don't know if your door was similar in nature but would it have been possible this could have been what happened?

I can't imagine why anyone would want that type of door!

Oh, Welcome to the forums!

[bredlo]

That's terrible, Proppy. That cover is one of the items that was still intact on our '63 GlobeTrotter, and now I'm a bit more nervous about letting it sit at a usually unoccupied home an hour away in Wisconsin.

Next time I'm up there, I think I'll be removing it myself to prevent what happened to PropMan. At that point it will be interesting to see if they're easy to replicate. It'd be neat to have a backup, or make them for others on the forum who've lost them to theft or bumpy highways. Good luck searching for a replacement.

It'd be interesting to compile a list of things that seem to be most difficult to replace. Bowen heater covers would definitely be on the list, as would the Corning curved glass windows on the '65 and newer models.

[Rog0525]

Hi Prop Man. These 3 door panels came off a '60 Overlander when I replaced the Bowen with an Atwood.
The top pouch measures 14 1/2" tall by 13 1/2" wide.
If this is what you need, you can have it for the cost of shipping.

[Paul Mayeux]

Originally Posted by Rog0525

Hi Prop Man. These 3 door panels came off a '60 Overlander when I replaced the Bowen with an Atwood.
The top pouch measures 14 1/2" tall by 13 1/2" wide.
If this is what you need, you can have it for the cost of shipping.

Roger, could post a picture of your Atwood installed? I'm curious as to how it looks from the outside.

Thanks.

[Rog0525]

Originally Posted by 62 Overlander

Roger, could post a picture of your Atwood installed? I'm curious as to how it looks from the outside.

Thanks.

I sold the Overlander in April of last year, but perhaps this image will give you some idea of the difference.

[PropMan]

Originally Posted by Rog0525

Hi Prop Man. These 3 door panels came off a '60 Overlander when I replaced the Bowen with an Atwood.
The top pouch measures 14 1/2" tall by 13 1/2" wide.
If this is what you need, you can have it for the cost of shipping.

Just sent you a PM! You are the BEST!!

Allan (PropMan)

[flyfshr]

Glad to see this has a happy ending. Just like any other love story.

FF

[Paul Mayeux]

Originally Posted by Rog0525

I sold the Overlander in April of last year, but perhaps this image will give you some idea of the difference.

Thanks Roger - It looked like it turned out great.

[GBAWTex]

Allan (PropMan) ,

Lost a piece of my bowen door on a trip last week. It looks just like yours. I've attached photos If you could see your way to shooting some detailed front, side and back shots of yours and get them my way I'd be eternally grateful. I hope to be able to recreate the lost piece.

Thanks,
gail

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by GBAWTex

Allan (PropMan) ,

Lost a piece of my bowen door on a trip last week. It looks just like yours. I've attached photos If you could see your way to shooting some detailed front, side and back shots of yours and get them my way I'd be eternally grateful. I hope to be able to recreate the lost piece.

Thanks,
gail

Hi Gail,

PropMan hasn't logged on in several years and this is a relatively old thread. Hopefullly another member will be able offer you some assistance in the way of photographs.

Kevin