Installing the taller segment protectors..

[ROBERT CROSS]

Does anyone know or have experience with the upgrade.

I would like to install the larger guards but would prefer not drilling any more holes in the skin. Is the piano hinge secure enough?, can I re-use the existing hinge?

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Does anyone know or have experience with the upgrade.

I would like to install the larger guards but would prefer not drilling any more holes in the skin. Is the piano hinge secure enough?, can I re-use the existing hinge?

Robert, I don't have experience switching sizes of protectors, but I do have some with mounting of the protectors. One of mine came off on our latest trip to Colorado and Utah. The pop rivits on the piano hinge broke, and then when the protector swung around, it ripped the center out of the top "U" channel mount and broke the bottom mount. Fortunately there was no major damage to the skin of the trailer.

The damage to the protector was moderate, and I was able to straighten it to the point that I am not too ashamed of it, so I decided to remount it.

I also decided I wanted to do it the best way I knew how, and ordered new mounts from an Airstream dealer...genuine Airstream parts, thinking they would mount in the same holes very sanitarily.

I was wrong. The new "U" channel mount did not match the old one, and I ended up having to drill new holes anyway.

So, the moral of this story is, if I can't buy genuine replacement parts and remount the same size protector, I seriously doubt you could change sizes of protectors and have them fit. However, if you decide to go ahead with the project, I wish you good luck.