WHY do airstream doors open backwards??

infinite LUX · 12-05-2003, 11:14 AM

I know this is probably a stupid question. I was doing some cleaning around the door and I THOUGHT, WHY is the front door hinged on the AFT side? (making the door open backwards) The logical placement would seem to be on the Front side of the opening for the door and for two reasons. 1. To keep the door CLOSED in the advent that it came open during towing. 2. And to keep the door from blocking the exhaust of the furnace.

The only reason I can think of that might make sense is the placement of the Awning Strut. Does anybody know why they did this? It looks like (from many of the pictures I've looked at, that Airstream mounted the doors differently earlyier in production.

Just curious

db

InsideOut · 12-05-2003, 11:19 AM

Some do open with the hinge on the front ~ ours does. I think you answered your own question...the awning support. When we add an awning to ours, we have to make a decision:

1) ZipDee = only open door 90-degrees
2) Tent Pole style = open door 180-degrees.

I recently found a third option...if I can find an obsolete ZipDee awning cleat, then the awning arm can be detached and placed vertically so the door can open 180-degrees. Let the search begin!

Shari

87MH · 12-05-2003, 11:24 AM

Thanks to Federal Reg's the doors are hinged on the front on MH's.

uncleneal · 12-05-2003, 04:30 PM

One of the reasons for opening the doors "backwards" is that on most trailers there are windows in front of the doors that would be blocked if they opened "right." The galley area is usually behind the door, with no window close enough to block. As for blocking the furnace exhaust, most people don't run the furnace with the door open.

Neal

infinite LUX · 12-05-2003, 06:38 PM

Yeah, you're right !! But that's really how I noticed it. (when I had the door open and in front of the furnace.

jthew1 · 12-05-2003, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by 87MH
the doors are hinged on the front on MH's.

Well, you might contemplate suicide if you've ever changed the main door hinges, particularly on a motorhome.

There is a "U" and "L" stamped on the casting. Believe it or not, the "U" is the Lower hinge and the "L" is the Upper hinge. How do you think I know that? I got it "backwards".

Regards,
Jeff