Slam door to lock?

[john4170]

While visiting Ewald's Airstream I'm Franklin, WI this past weekend the
salesman was slamming the doors to lock the AS after moving the inside lock to the lock position. I had never heard of this or seen before. He said it was perfectly fine to do.
Any thoughts?

[overlander63]

As long as he isn't using the deadbolt, there is nothing wrong with doing this.

[Wingeezer]

We seem to have to slam ours more than I would have thought normal, but when we had it a Jackson Centre for other work a while back, I questioned this and they said it was fine!

It can be noticeably worse when the trailer is hooked up - I suppose due to effects of the hitch.

Brian.

[AIRTRVL]

Make sure that you have your keys before you slam the door to lock it. We have gotten in the habit of always using the key to lock the door just to be safe.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by AIRTRVL

Make sure that you have your keys before you slam the door to lock it. We have gotten in the habit of always using the key to lock the door just to be safe.

I did that, after I warned the customer about doing it. What I didn't know is, the customer had left both sets of keys laying on the dinette table.

[Wayne&Sam]

I find the best method is to firmly push with my palm flat on the door, keeping my hand on the door until it's closed. This seems to prevent the bounce you get if you just slam it.

[john4170]

We prefer to close the door gently. Just can't imagine slamming can be good for the door or the lock in the long run.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by john4170

We prefer to close the door gently. Just can't imagine slamming can be good for the door or the lock in the long run.

Slamming the door shut, is bound to cause problems in time.

Simply adding a little silicone spray to the striker pocket and striker bolt, makes slamming of a door unnecessary.

Andy

[Rollster]

Some Airstream salesmen like to slam the door to show you how well made the trailers are. I have to admit, the solid, vacuum-tight sound of an AS door is rather impressive!

[webspinner]

Our 40 year old latch is showing signs of wear. We gently hold the handle in the open position, shut the door and then release the latch. If our door had been treated this well all along, it would be in better shape today. The only replacement latch requires major door rebuilding.

So ask yourself - do you need to slam the door or would a gentler method do the trick? Do you plan to have this Airstream last perhaps into a future time when replacement door latches are no longer available? Then choose your path.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Slamming the door shut, is bound to cause problems in time.

Simply adding a little silicone spray to the striker pocket and striker bolt, makes slamming of a door unnecessary.

Andy

Silicon spray improved ours only marginally - I applied it when we first bought the trailer about five years ago and re-apply it regularly.

I really thought some adjustment was probably needed to our door, which is why I took the opportunity to ask the fellows at JC about it when we were there for other work.

They assured me however that it ours was quite normal and no adjustment was required.

I suppose "slamming" must be a relative / subjective thing!

Brian

[RLS]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I find the best method is to firmly push with my palm flat on the door, keeping my hand on the door until it's closed. This seems to prevent the bounce you get if you just slam it.

You hit it on the nail All you have to do is KEEP your hand on the door and follow through as you close it. Same works from the inside, KEEP holding the handle as you firmly pull the door closed.

[scamp]

We noticed on most airstreams you must slam the door for it to close properly,one thing I notice on the a.c street side there is a small opening to outside ,I discovered this when I washed the roof and directed the water at the side of the a.c unit ,then went inside the trailer and noticed water dripping from a.c vents ,removed the interior cover and saw the opening in ac to outside this could be there to allow air out of trailer during closing of the door.


Don

[john4170]

I don't slam and was surprised to see a dealer doing it.

[PharmGeek]

my trailer is brand new as of 11/2013....the “slamming” of the door was done indeed and contrasted as a virtue over many SOB doors....but to get mine shut you do have to give it more force than I would like....its more annoying at night closing from inside...outside the palm method works fine for me...but inside I have to slam it to ensure its all lined up good for the deadbolt to line up (ie for it to totally close).

The screen door lock mechanism also requires a bit more force than I would like, I think it will clear up as the weather seal foam breaks in a bit more over time...I think.

I am going to try the silicone and see how that goes....

at night I would like to be able to pull the door tightly without making a huge noise...but this seems impossible and this annoys me.

Thanks for this post.

Ill be going possibly to JC in 2015 to visit and get any warranty service...so I will discuss this...there is a youtube vid of a guy adjusting the door and it went from needing to be slammed to closing smoothly...

[m.hony]

My door is also hard to close.
When closing from the inside I will hold up on the lever, pull the door tight, and release the lever. This cuts down on the slamming where others might be disturbed.

[PharmGeek]

Originally Posted by m.hony

My door is also hard to close.
When closing from the inside I will hold up on the lever, pull the door tight, and release the lever. This cuts down on the slamming where others might be disturbed.

I simply cannot achieve this despite trying - and at some point it feels like I would risk pulling the handle hard enough to damage that mechanism

[m.hony]

The door is on "the list" for the service center. All problems have been documented with photos and emails to Chris Burch and Randy McNeeley at Airstream.

[xrvr]

Never owned an AS that I did not have to slam the door. Even the Interstate. Jim

[dkottum]

If you have to slam the door, the door is not adjusted properly or you have the stabilizers set twisting the frame slightly. On a brand new Airstream the door seal may be a little stiff and improve with use, and the latch does need lubrication.

Here is Airstream's video showing door adjustment. Looks crude but that's how they do it. Be careful not to kink something by overdoing it.

Airstream How To: Adjusting Trailer Main Doors - YouTube