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vknight · 03-07-2011, 07:39 PM

My wife and I bought our first Airstream last week, a 62 Safari. I'm attaching photos of the odd door latch situation. A prior owner has removed whatever was in the rectangular hole and installed a smaller flush-type latch that fits poorly. Apparently new holes had to be cut out of the door and door frame. The lock that was previously there measured 3 1/2" by 8", and was mounted in a 3 1/4" by 7 1/4" hole. Does anyone know what has happened here, and if so, what's the best way to fix or improve it

Inland RV Center, In · 03-08-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vknight

My wife and I bought our first Airstream last week, a 62 Safari. I'm attaching photos of the odd door latch situation. A prior owner has removed whatever was in the rectangular hole and installed a smaller flush-type latch that fits poorly. Apparently new holes had to be cut out of the door and door frame. The lock that was previously there measured 3 1/2" by 8", and was mounted in a 3 1/4" by 7 1/4" hole. Does anyone know what has happened here, and if so, what's the best way to fix or improve it

That hole in the door says that the trailer door, at least, belongs to a 1970 to 1977 Airstream trailer.

The original lock was call "KT".

Someone tried to install the Bargmann L-400 lock, which will not work correctly.

Post the trailer serial number for a positive ID.

Some lock kits are available, that are far cheaper than the several hundred dollar KT lock, but it depends on the year of the door.

Andy

TG Twinkie · 03-08-2011, 08:35 AM

Can you post a picture of the hinge side of the door? It will help ID the door. Also the hole in the door is obviously too large for the door handle assembly. It's hard to tell what was there before or even if that was original.

vknight · 03-08-2011, 08:15 PM

Many thanks for the help. Attached are some more door pics, inside and outside. Naturally I'm surprised if this is really a post-1970 door on what is supposed to be a 62 Safari. I can't find a plate with the serial number anywhere on the trailer. However, one of the older tag receipts in the paperwork lists the serial number as TSS0981. Any help on the correct ID, plus how to improve the situation, are appreciated!
Jim

TG Twinkie · 03-08-2011, 10:04 PM

I'm not sure, but I don't think you have what you think you have. Here is a photo of what I think is a '62 Safari. Maybe someone can help with the ID of you trailer. The thing that stands out to me is the '62 has a door within a door and it's hinged on the right side not the left.

**azflycaster** · 03-08-2011, 10:06 PM

The door looks to be from a 70-72 because of the big single hinge. The trailer looks like a 62 Flying Cloud and the numbers are close to that, but the Safari also shared the same numbers. The original door for a 62 would have been the door in a door.

Yhottys · 03-08-2011, 10:29 PM

Jim,

Welcome to the Forums and congratulations on your "new" Airstream.

You might find the following link helpful. It's from VintageAirstreams.com and is a photo archive of 1962 Airstream Safaris. 62Safari

The original door had a door within a door, as others have pointed out. It also had a lock with a square escutcheon and round door knob, similar to the image below.

Good luck with your project.

TG Twinkie · 03-08-2011, 10:42 PM

Here's another photo of a '62 Safari. Door hinges on the left, but is also a door within a door, but it is round on the top. Your door is flat on the top, more like those in the '70's. Your trailer also has round wheel well cut outs, where both of the Safari's I've posted are square.

Frank's Trailer Works · 03-09-2011, 03:22 AM

Is that an Avion? The door looks so odd. this serial #, did it come off the title or trailer? A title has the date wrong 50% of the time. The serial number should be close to the door on the "Airstream" plate.

goransons · 03-09-2011, 07:01 AM

69 or new door hinge also. Interesting that there is a jelousie window, and appears to be early 60's shell shape and seams. Wondering if someone repaired side damage and had early 70's parts? Also appears badges by the door are missing.

our 63 has flat topped, but rounded corner wheel wells also (and yes this pic is a pre-axle swap photo)

TG Twinkie · 03-09-2011, 08:49 AM

Here's a pic of a '64. It has a window forward of the door (larger than yours)but still has a round top door. I'm not sure where you need to look for the VIN. Can you post pics of the whole trailer and are you sure of the length? Measure from the hitch ball socket to the rear bumper.

vknight · 03-09-2011, 06:41 PM

We have gone from my door latch issue to not knowing if my airstream is really a 62 Safari as advertised, maybe not a Safari at all, or maybe one that has had major restoration on the door side with post '70s hardware. Okay, so here are photos of the whole girl from several angles. Again, the only info I have on a serial number is TSS0981, which comes from a 1991 bill of sale, where is is called 8' by 22'. The actual measurement from center of hitch ball to outside of back bumper is 22" 10". Again, thanks, folks.

HiHoAgRV · 03-09-2011, 06:54 PM

To me, it looks like a later year door has been installed but I can't see any evidence of the door-in-a-door hinges...
'65 or later with 'some work done'?

Bowmans · 03-09-2011, 07:10 PM

This definately has the shape of a 70's door and runoff gutter above. Here is our 79' door (best shot of the whole door frame):

TG Twinkie · 03-09-2011, 08:28 PM

OK: Back to the door lock. Another question; Does it hold the door closed? If so, you could make a patch for the existing hole in the exterior door skin with the proper sized cutout for the lock assembly, which I don't think is a KT lock by the way. While it's somewhat different looking than the one on my '74 Argosy, because it has an inside plate. If it works I would keep it. I have attached a pic of the KT lock assembly; you will notice the lock cylinder is not in the same place and your whole assembly looks smaller, that may be why it doesn't fit the original hole. Is there any identifying info on the lock assembly? I'm sure there are a lot of people who would be interested in a suitable replacement for there KT assembly, because they cost more than $450.00.
I think the number 3247 would be a way to ID what you have on the Airstream Registry.

tlsmit1 · 03-09-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yhottys

Jim,

Welcome to the Forums and congratulations on your "new" Airstream.

You might find the following link helpful. It's from VintageAirstreams.com and is a photo archive of 1962 Airstream Safaris. 62Safari

The original door had a door within a door, as others have pointed out. It also had a lock with a square escutcheon and round door knob, similar to the image below.

Good luck with your project.

Was it really this copper color? Our 62 TW has a copper colored lock almost identical to this - we were assuming it was some PO mod.

Yhottys · 03-09-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlsmit1

Was it really this copper color? Our 62 TW has a copper colored lock almost identical to this - we were assuming it was some PO mod.

The lock in the image should be silver. No?

We haven't seen a copper colored lock yet. We think you may be correct in your assumption.

Inland RV Center, In · 03-10-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vknight

My wife and I bought our first Airstream last week, a 62 Safari. I'm attaching photos of the odd door latch situation. A prior owner has removed whatever was in the rectangular hole and installed a smaller flush-type latch that fits poorly. Apparently new holes had to be cut out of the door and door frame. The lock that was previously there measured 3 1/2" by 8", and was mounted in a 3 1/4" by 7 1/4" hole. Does anyone know what has happened here, and if so, what's the best way to fix or improve it

The trailer is either a 62 or 63, but with a entrance door from a 1974 and up.

From your photo's you should check out the axle, as it appears that the rubber rods have deteriorated.

Andy

vknight · 03-10-2011, 08:11 PM

Since the replacement latch does work, I think I'll stay with it and figure out a patch for the surrounding gap. I'll have to get it re-keyed since I don't have a key.

How someone got a door of a different shape to fit a much earlier trailer is a mystery to me, but I'll take your word for it. One website that posts serial numbers suggests that the SN I have recorded from an old bill of sale belongs to a 63 rather than a 62 model. That seems to fit the photos I have seen and the interior layout.

I'm not sure what is meant by worn rubber rods at the axle, or how you can tell that from my photos, but I'll see if I can find a thread on that subject.

Inland RV Center, In · 03-10-2011, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vknight

Since the replacement latch does work, I think I'll stay with it and figure out a patch for the surrounding gap. I'll have to get it re-keyed since I don't have a key.

How someone got a door of a different shape to fit a much earlier trailer is a mystery to me, but I'll take your word for it. One website that posts serial numbers suggests that the SN I have recorded from an old bill of sale belongs to a 63 rather than a 62 model. That seems to fit the photos I have seen and the interior layout.

I'm not sure what is meant by worn rubber rods at the axle, or how you can tell that from my photos, but I'll see if I can find a thread on that subject.

There is an article in the Airstream Central section of this web site, that will help you. It's called the Dura-torque axle.

Andy