Compartment doors on Streetside

[amberlink]

I am not sure what they are called as we haven't gotten one open yet. Another one is behind where the fridge goes. So my question is someone had foamed in the door because the lock is gone. We pulled it out and we are wondering if there is suppose to be a hinge at the bottom or because it looks like there is one but nothing on the bottom side to attach to the camper. At first I thought it was broke but my husband pointed out that no where does it look like there was another have riveted in to the camper or door. Any advice as to if there should be a piano hinge at the bottom of these or if the lock holds them in. Seems weird to me.

[cliffcharb]

the compartment doors have a piano hinge attached to the bottom of the door and the inside bottom of the door frame. You don't see them unless the door is opened.

[mandolindave]

My 1973 Argosy, Access Door to my fridge did not have a hinge.

The door fell out on a three hour trip home. I retraced my steps hoping that I would find it….No luck.

I tried getting a new replacement from an RV company but found that they no longer offered the service because they had too many problems with the replacements not fitting.

At first I fabricated a replacement door ( and it looked pretty darn good )

I was going to try to order one from Airstream $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Then...I was lucky enough to find a replacement off a junker, from South Jersey RV who is now retired. The replacement had a hinge.

TRY HARD not to lose yours. Not having a lock will make that more difficult. The locks for them are very standard, and are used on all kinds of cabinets.

I would suggest having a piano type hinge installed.

[Lumatic]

The "hinge" is a "J" hinge. The compartment door hangs on the J. Easy to loose the door. Can be replaced with a piano hinge.

[Al Boondy]

Amberlink

My 73 doesn't have piano hinges, but a bracket riveted to doors that hangs in the compartment frame. It allows the door to be completely removed as well as fly off while underway if not closed properly.
The lock is at the bottom and the "hinge" at the top.
If your's is like mine you can drill out the rivets in this bracket and remove the door even if it is locked.

[mandolindave]

Oh I understand now you have the lock not the key ?


Here comes the sarcasm
There are so many different keys for these locks !!!! ( ????)

My daughter got locked out of her pop up. It has the same style lock.
The first person we found with that type of lock, had the same key.

You might not be as lucky, but you could try, or go to a locksmith, before you start drilling.

I would address the issue sooner than later, so the fridge coils can be inspected. That vintage fridge, if it is original, is about ready to keep and eye on for dangerous ammonia gas leakage.

You can inspect it yourself….Look for a greenish/goldish colored goo, on the coil.

[Lumatic]

Just looked in my parts pile. I have an extra compartment door that has a dent but is an easy repair. Lock is also included. No key, but they are generic. Airstream has them, but probably also a locksmith. Send me a pm.

[amberlink]

Yes mine looks like Al Boondy's. Just wasn't sure if this was correct or not. Or if something was broken off. I am not worried about the locks we can get those off when we remove the inside but I needed to know if I had to fix the hinge or if it was suppose to look like that.

[amberlink]

You have helped me greatly. It was foamed in upside down. So I just thought that it went that way. Fits much better the correct way lol. Total Newbie. Ha Ha.