Just Curious Why?

53flyingcloud · 12-11-2002, 04:21 AM

With references to the 'door'

On my 1984 A/S, the door opens outward to the left hand.

Is this the same for ALL A/S??

I've read numerous posts abt the problems with doors opening while-in-motion,etc. This has caused problems to door frame plum, dents in the exterior skin and, even cracked windows.

I'm curious as to why the door opening hasn't ever been changed to a right-hand opening?? Seems that this would be a simple fix and, from a view point of safety, the 'best' method.

Any thoughts ?
ciao

John · 12-11-2002, 06:46 AM

The only thing that I can think of is that you wouldn't be able completely open the door due to the awning being in the way.

Pahaska · 12-11-2002, 06:48 AM

On my short A/S, the rear-opening door stays clear of the awning arm. I had interference there on a former SOB trailer.

OTOH, the open door on mine covers half of the refrigerator louvers which results in poor refrigerator performance when it is cool enough to want just the screen door but still pretty warm outside. Doesn't seem to matter any in cooler weather. See photos.

smily · 12-11-2002, 06:51 AM

Not certain but I have read on this issue before and I think it has something to do with the Window on the right hand side of the door.

"Latched" door would obstruct view and windblown door may break the window.

Smily

53flyingcloud · 12-11-2002, 07:40 AM

Thinking that:

All are good points, and I agree about the window. In my case, where I have a window on both side of the door..either window could be damaged in a sudden gust of wind..
It hasn't happened yet but, I worry some abt it opening all by itself while in motion.

John, your picture begs another question. 'What about the exhaust from your heating system?' It almost looks like it blockage there as well?
I don't want to get off track here, but you seem to have more to gain by having the door open in the opposite direction.
This picture of my unit shows both windows next to the door.
ciao

**Pick** · 12-11-2002, 08:02 AM

Mine has a deadbolt installed. I use only the deadbolt to lock the door. Who ever did it, did a professional job. Looks like it came from the factory that way. No way is the door coming open with it latched.

John · 12-11-2002, 09:10 AM

Mine too has the furnace exhaust to the left of the door. My thinking is, you probably wouldn't have your door opened completely while running the furnace. If you did, you would probably do some type of damage to your door.
John

**jcanavera** · 12-11-2002, 10:35 AM

My SOB had a window to the right of the door. If we forgot about the open window we smacked the door right into the corner of the window glass frame. Over time it put a small dent in the door.

One of our little dogs was so used to that right hand hinge that on our first outing with the A/S he managed to bounce right off the door. He was used to me opening the door and once barely enough space opened up, he would jump from the ground into the trailer, bypassing the steps. In the case of the Safari, he jumped from the left side and didn't notice that the clearance was now on the right, not the left and promptly replicated a bird hitting a window.

Jack

Pahaska · 12-11-2002, 10:43 AM

53FlyingCloud

The exhaust from the furnace is way at the rear of the A/S, so no problem with that.

53flyingcloud · 12-11-2002, 11:04 AM

John,
Glad to hear that~!
When I looked at your picture here..I thought, that the second set of louvres were for your hot water heater or furnace. What's the second louvre opening for?
ciao
BTW

Quote:

The exhaust from the furnace is way at the rear of the A/S, so no problem with that.

Does this mean you get better mileage?? lol

Pahaska · 12-11-2002, 12:09 PM

Top and bottom of the refrigerator compartment. The Internationals don't have a roof vent. Instead, there is a thermostat-controlled fan behind the upper louvers.

3Ms75Argosy · 12-11-2002, 12:23 PM

My 26ft Argosy has the heater exhaust/intake right behind the open door. First time I use the furnace, I had the door open to watch the kids running around. I now have a nice "shamrock" on the middle of the door. Oh well, I'm going to strip the paint soon anyway. I have a feeling though, that the soot from the first time use in probably years contributed to this. I can't believe that the door wasn't marked from before my use, and that in almost 30 years somebody didn't have the door open with the furnace? ..........
Well, maybe I was the only "smart" one?
Marc (with door opening back)

3Ms75Argosy · 12-11-2002, 12:27 PM

Here's the door. Just to the bottom right of the picture you can just make out part of the "shamrock"

InsideOut · 12-11-2002, 12:44 PM

Our door opens with the hinge on the right. We don't currently have an awning, but on other '64 GlobeTrotters I have seen that do, the awning arms preclude the door from opening all the way when the awning is open. The door only opens to about 90-degrees.

The other alternative I have seen is a pole & line type awning that attaches into the track over the door/window....I don't have any pictures, but this option doesn't interfere with the door.

We haven't decide yet which option we will go with after polishing.

Below are two pictures of '64 GlobeTrotters with awnings from the VAC Estes Park Rally this summer.

Shari

P.S. Sorry for the finger in the right hand photo...