Visit our Popular Forums

JBBeaubeaux · 12-23-2015, 03:35 PM

I really appreciate everyone's advice and help.

Here is what I discovered.

Upon closer look I discovered one of the screws holding the inside plate to the door handle was loose. See attached photo of which screw it was.

After getting the door open, I removed all 3 screws and pulled the plate away from the door.

I was then able to reposition the inside handle to the 3:00 o'clock position and reinstall the 3 screws.

So.... I am guessing that the loose screw allowed enough 'play' inside the door mechanism for the handle to 'slip' and disengage, thereby stranding us inside.

NOTE TO SELF: Keep a phillips head screw driver handy inside the AS and always check to make sure the 3 screws are tight.

For those who want to see a 61 year old man crawl out of the fire exit, attached is a photo.

Again, thanks for all the advice!!!!!!!

OTRA15 · 12-23-2015, 03:45 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Glad to know the cause.

Rather a more graceful exit than I had pictured!

rmkrum · 12-23-2015, 04:21 PM

His window is much bigger than mine..glad to se he's in good shape. Ours takes climb on rear desk, slide legs through from sitting position, then roll over and try to find the bumper as a step to get out. Undignified no matter how you try to do it. We keep tools inside and extra keys securely outside just in case.

Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

kdickinson · 12-23-2015, 04:22 PM

This is a chronic issue for us. The door has popped open in the middle of the night all on its own. When we were camping at NTAC last April the inside handle started just spinning around loose and wasn't engaging with the mechanism inside at all. As I was getting a screwdriver to take off the inside plate and handle it started working on its own. The trailer was broken into while in storage and the original handle was damaged beyond repair. A locksmith replaced it with a round handle (which I really just don't like, I want my airfoil shape handle back), they got it locked and there it sat in storage for many more years without being used so no one knew the door handle was not working. I agree with the stabilizer idea because I know for a fact the stabilizer do torque the frame the doors don't work the same when it is over-stabilized. And I have had the door frozen shut by moisture on the outside. But it very well could be that a prior owner replaced that handle and it was not correctly installed. My big concern of course is being able to get out in an emergency so I have this at the top of my list for repair before next season

m.hony · 12-23-2015, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdickinson

This is a chronic issue for us. The door has popped open in the middle of the night all on its own. When we were camping at NTAC last April the inside handle started just spinning around loose and wasn't engaging with the mechanism inside at all. As I was getting a screwdriver to take off the inside plate and handle it started working on its own. The trailer was broken into while in storage and the original handle was damaged beyond repair. A locksmith replaced it with a round handle (which I really just don't like, I want my airfoil shape handle back), they got it locked and there it sat in storage for many more years without being used so no one knew the door handle was not working. I agree with the stabilizer idea because I know for a fact the stabilizer do torque the frame the doors don't work the same when it is over-stabilized. And I have had the door frozen shut by moisture on the outside. But it very well could be that a prior owner replaced that handle and it was not correctly installed. My big concern of course is being able to get out in an emergency so I have this at the top of my list for repair before next season

That's it. That photo is the one I wanted to see. Very funny-

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Silver.Sanctuary · 12-23-2015, 10:01 PM

When you level the trailer, check to see the bottom of the door is level. It makes a difference. If your mechanism pulled out, you need the Overlander solution as well, but if you get stuck inside and have that plate on, you can't get through the screen door to do anything.

I had this happen one night at a star party and used the patio light (accidentally) to draw attention to my trailer. Livid astronomers formed a lynch party and showed up at my door... and when I explained I was locked in, they let me out and calmed down some.

I got out and removed the handle and plate, and could trip my mechanism from inside with a screwdriver blade through the screen door slider. Kept the actual handle off and tied a wire between two screws to pull it shut. Worked for 10 days until I could get back home and reset it all with some Loctite to keep the screws from getting loose and the mechanism hasn't 'jumped the track since'. This was a 2004 Safari... your mechanism might differ.

Larry C · 12-24-2015, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBBeaubeaux

I really appreciate everyone's advice and help.

Here is what I discovered.

Upon closer look I discovered one of the screws holding the inside plate to the door handle was loose. See attached photo of which screw it was.

After getting the door open, I removed all 3 screws and pulled the plate away from the door.

I was then able to reposition the inside handle to the 3:00 o'clock position and reinstall the 3 screws.

So.... I am guessing that the loose screw allowed enough 'play' inside the door mechanism for the handle to 'slip' and disengage, thereby stranding us inside.

NOTE TO SELF: Keep a phillips head screw driver handy inside the AS and always check to make sure the 3 screws are tight.

For those who want to see a 61 year old man crawl out of the fire exit, attached is a photo.

Again, thanks for all the advice!!!!!!!

Jim,
One the positive side of this, at least we know how the emergency exits work. Congrats on your agility, maybe you should have that photo enlarged and framed?
Other than the inconvenience involved, I'm glad that the problem wasn't really that serious...

Larry