Airstream - How Can You Get Some Things so Right....and Other Things so.....

[Fly at Night]

....WRONG???

Well, today I decided to open the storage bin under the dinette bench. I think this was the second time I have opened it since purchase. When I went to close it, it would not latch. Seems those cheap plastic black things have gone kaput already. So now it's hanging open like an outhouse door after a Saturday-night brew 'n bustup. Anyone else with the same problem?



Upon closer inspection, the finishing on the far end of that door lip isn't exactly spectacular, is it?



Besides that, the first time I lifted my mattress up to access the under-bed storage compartment, the struts holding the mattress up wouldn't release. No bloomin' way. So, had to take them off to get the mattress back down.

No great tragedy in the scope of things....but annoying just the same. Another little thing that has to be attended to when the unit goes in for dewinterization - while it's still under warranty.

All-in-all I am pleased with my trailer, but I wish Airstream wouldn't cheap-out those things that are "outta sight" because these glitches do not keep them "outta mind."

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, those cabinet latches aren't really that bad, but they can come loose. They need to be adjusted properly and then they work great. If you look at the plastic part located on the door, it is probably loose. See if you can push it up and down. The slots for the screws are for adjustment. Usually you can see the impressions left by the screws, when in their correct position. This will make the adjustment easier. Also look at the part of the latch mounted on the divider, They, also can come loose, but rarely.

[Fly at Night]

Hi Robert; those screws on both components are tighter than a what not. No give up and down at all.

Blinkin' thing won't stay shut unless I stick something in to hold it to the frame.

[Scott J-24]

FAN,

We have had some problems with those latches also. One of them would slip into its "closed" position while the under bench cabinet door was open. I tried a number of ways to get it back into "open" position. The best tool turned out to be the cork screw on our wine opener. I just sort of "screw" it in and pull the latch open. Give it a try and see if it works for you.

We had a similar problem with the gas piston struts on our bed. I called the PO to see what the "trick" was to close it without breaking anything, he said just put your weight into it and it would close without a problem. He was correct, it closed just fine, but it still makes me nervious each time we access the underbed storage that way so we mostly use the access openings on each side of the bed and at the foot of the bed. Hope these suggestions work for you on your rig.

Good luck,

[Fly at Night]

Hi Scott. I took them off. (struts) I don't think I'll put them back on. Will probably put a good ol' cut-off broom handle under the bed to use as a prop up for those occasional times I need to raise the mattress. Or else I'll just access from the side like you do.

I know what you mean by that "nervous" thing. Cripes...I don't want to take any more "nervous" along for the ride.

[MrUKToad]

Same problem in our 2011 International Serenity. One of the black catches went in to the permanently closed position and even though I could coax it back to open with a screwdriver, it would get stuck again pretty quickly. I just happened to be passing the dealer's place so called in; they gave me a couple of spares, free and for nothing as the trailer is under warranty, and I swapped the bad one out. It is annoying that Airstream uses such cheap components but at least the issue is minor and easily resolved.

[ROBERT CROSS]

We had to have AS send us six of the infamous black latches, all broke within 4 trips. Careful alignment when re-installing solved the problem, (along with a bit of dielectric grease), just another case of.....well never mind, lets just say they had a bad day.


FWIW....Used some velcro while waiting for the parts.

Bob

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

We had to have AS send us six of the infamous black latches, all broke within 4 trips. Careful alignment when re-installing solved the problem, (along with a bit of dielectric grease), just another case of.....well never mind, lets just say they had a bad day.

FWIW....Used some velcro while waiting for the parts.

Bob

Velcro is amazing stuff! I used it to secure some of the switch boxes that Airstream elected to leave floating in the stereo installation. Funny how annoying a sound a hard plastic box makes when it is sitting on a speaker...... bad day???

I like the process of "adjusting" the fit of things on our trailer and on our boat too. I believe that no one will be as fussy as I am and that when I am finished things will be the best! In this world of computer controlled everything a simple adjustment brings me much joy..... Sigh.
Bruce

[Skater]

Wow... I had to replace one or two of those in the 18-year-old B190 and I think the trailer has perhaps one that's bad that I haven't bothered to swap yet...but otherwise they've been fine for me.

[sandlapper]

.....if you own one of these things, or any type of travel trailer. It is not quite as bad with Airstreams but manufacturers generally sling them together, then expect their dealers to straighten them out. And no one is going to take the time to fix things like you would yourself. Talking here about those little annoying things like catches, hinges, straps, knobs, drawer slides,etc, etc.

They are best fixed yourself, with common sense and a little TLC. The more you can do the better off you will be.

Safe and happy travels.

John

[ROBERT CROSS]

"Velcro is amazing stuff! I used it to secure some of the switch boxes that Airstream elected to leave floating in the stereo installation."

It's still holding one of our speakers, replacing three "air screws" and one wood screw. No good vibrations now.

Bob

[SilverRanger]

All of my black latches either failed, or have needed constant attention since the first year of ownership. I have some metal latches that are used on boats that I'll eventually use to replace the originals. I've learned to accept these minor imperfections and inferior components as part of the modern Airstream experience. American icon on the outside, SOB on the inside.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I was thinking of using these, with the NSC82 add-on for the under bed doors if the plastic ones broke again, they haven't so I haven't.

Bob

[MrUKToad]

Annoying though it is, I shall look to replace these latches with something more robust if we get any more failures. There are plenty of inexpensive alternatives on the market.

[withidl]

When I purchased my 2001 ASCL 31’ almost all of the cabinet doors and overhead locker doors were mal-adjusted and thus hard to latch/unlatch; I guess due to the haste of manufacture. I adjusted all of the offending doors and then slathered a little Chap Stick on each latch interface which has since allowed every door to latch with only the closing hinge spring momentum.

Additionally, all of the overhead doors only had one spring strut supporting them which would not hold them all of the way up. The first time I was at Jackson Center I purchased additional spring struts so that each locker door now has two each.

Also, the outside storage compartment door locks had to be adjusted and oiled to work seamlessly.

Most of the window latches were OK, with only a few needing adjustment.

The more you adjust and fix, the more the AS is “yours”, until after a few years you may be able to say that it’s ALL “YOURS”.

[Fly at Night]

The two pillows that came with the trailer - totally useless!

I never used them - put them in the overhead bin. They fell apart when I pulled them back out.

Airstream, I love the orange bedspread; it's so well-made and warm, but those pillows!....

[ROBERT CROSS]

......you got pillows for your bed?

We got about a dozen of those square upholstered pavement stones.

Bob

[Fly at Night]

Bob, those pillows would come in mighty handy, though.....
as wheel chocks!

[BAB]

I had to chuckle when I saw the photo of the pillows....as I recall immediately taking them to the trash. Even my basset hounds have better stuffing in their toys than what came in those pillows....

[Fly at Night]

Update: The dealer replaced the problem catches with something really, really good. I've hit a few potholes and lept a few curbs - violently! - all the cabinets have stayed closed.

The pillows have been replaced with ones from Bed, Bath and Beyond. Problem solved.

One thing that has always been "so right" is the furnace. Holy Moly, it was cold last night. Minus 25C inside the trailer when it was time to go beddy-bye. Jacked the furnace up to 75F and jumped into bed as fast as I could. Woke up two hours sweating! The inside was like Death Valley in July. Turned the furnace down to 65F and was really comfortable the rest of the night.