Battery Compartment Door

[SteveH]

I just bought a '75 23' Airstream, and on the way home with it, the drop down battery compartment door along with the battery fell off. Of course I did not notice it until I was some miles down the road.

Anyone have any idea where I might be able to get another battery compartment door? They are out of production at Airstream.

Thanks for any input you might have.

[EweMama]

Bummer! Where is the battery compartment door located exactly on the '75?

[Ganglin]

Not to sound discouraging but you'll need some good luck to find one of those. I watch Ebay - think I've seen one in the last couple of years. Did you find the door and it's just beat up....

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by EweMama

Bummer! Where is the battery compartment door located exactly on the '75?

The Safari should be the same as my TW. It is located aft of the axels on the curb side. In this picture you can see the rear Bal jack.

These doors will pop open if the battery is not secure in the compartment. I guess what happened at that point was the battery landed on top of the door and detached it from the trailer. I had the door open once on a trip. I modified the stap to hold it in better and it has not been a problem since. Good luck finding a door.

[Zeppelinium]

See my exact same problem here Airstream Forums - View Single Post - Rivet Alert--trim bands

I was lucky--the door support cables retained the door and the only real damage was losing the battery. Maybe we should replace the aluminum rivets on the hinge with steel. Would that be significant corrosion problem?

Zep

[Aerowood]

Yes, replacing the rivets with steel could cause future corrosion. Installing a higher count and better alloy aluminum rivet would most likely solve the problem, and of course proper running gear balance.

Kip

[SteveH]

Gary,

No, I didn't go back because at the time I noticed it missing, it could have been a hundred miles behind me.

Yep, the "dealer" did not have the battery straped down, just in there and I didn't know the difference. I'm still looking for one and hope I don't have to fabricate something as it would not be pretty.

I'm very disappointed in the dealers lack of enthusiasm in the situation. Guess it's the typical "tail light warranty" you get with anything used. Funny, he did sing a different tune during his sales pitch.

[Fyrzowt]

There have been references here on the forums to A/S salvage yards in various parts of the country. You might try a search for those threads. You may get lucky.
Dave

[Ganglin]

For something that's going to be that hard to find - believe I'd make the 100 mile drive and look for it. Rent a couple kids to watch for you and offer them $20 for the one who spots it.....

[Lumatic]

I have acess to a 75 Tradewind wreck. Don't know if the door is there but I can check. I'm not sure when I will get to it but need to get some other parts. Let me know if you still need it and keep in touch. You might want to check the locks are tight on your other compartments.

[SteveH]

Ganglin,

That was 100 miles from the time I noticed it, since then I am another 750 miles farther.

However, finally some good news, I just got back from a place here in Texas that deals in used Airstreams (some very used I observed), they had one, and I bought it. It's not perfect, but it can be cleaned up and will be much better than what I would have fabricated. You can bet it will be fastened so it will not come off this time.

Thanks for everyone's input.
Steve

[Ganglin]

Congratulations on finding one so soon.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by SteveH

However, finally some good news, I just got back from a place here in Texas that deals in used Airstreams (some very used I observed), they had one, and I bought it. It's not perfect, but it can be cleaned up and will be much better than what I would have fabricated. You can bet it will be fastened so it will not come off this time.
Steve

Steve,

Would you mind sending me the contact info for the dealer in texas? We're in need of a couple of used parts ourselves.

Thanks!

Brad

[SteveH]

Brad,

They are in Bastrop, TX, and here's the phone number: 512-718-1930

Good luck.
Steve

[ve3czn]

I too had the battey comp. door open and the battery hung out on the cables, fortunately the door was saved by the door cables.
I took a piece or angle aluminum and cut it a bit longer than the opening and pop riveted it to the frame and the door hinge to it. I also repaired the floor area of the opening. (ROT) I then coated the floor with water proofing (roofing compound)
I bought a new lock (locally) and checked for fitting to allow for trailer body flexing so it would not open . I then made a piece of that same angle aluminum to fit inside the compartment so that if the door opened the angle aliminum would block ther battery fro coming.
Not the battey can move from side to side when travelling and that is why the door is pushed out.

If you would like a pix of my fix please E-Mail me

rbaker@nas.net

Rae

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Brad,

They are in Bastrop, TX, and here's the phone number: 512-718-1930

Good luck.
Steve

Steve, I forgot to thank you for providing the phone number. I called a while back and they didn't have what I was looking for. Oh well....

Thanks again!

Brad

[FlaAirstream]

There is an Airstream boneyard in Carthidge Mo. They have all types of wrecked and salvaged RVs but many A/S to boot. It starts with a C. Something like Colhals. Too early. Sorry. I know it's there.I've been there. Good Luck