We have a '78 Tradewind (2 dbls... front double is pull-out, not booth style)
There is an exterior compartment door which seems to be a door to nowhere.
It opens and what we see is the outside of the interior vinyl wall covering. It is located on the street side, just in front of where the kitchen is on the inside. Right next to the furnace. Basically the wall behind the pullout table. You cannot access the interior via this opening.
The exterior door doesn't close fully and I suspect water will get in. (We've had the trailer for just a few weeks.)
1) What is the door? A feature pertaining to some other model than ours? Or something more useful than we've perceived?
2) Would I kick myself it I just silicone caulked it shut?
(Extra facts for the humor value: it was a funny moment... we struggled to figure which key opened it... then realized that it was tough to open because of, not a *lock* issue, but because of some rigging up by the PO involving duct tape and wedging... then the grand moment of opening revealed: Nothing. A wall. Stunned silence, then uproarious giggles)
Now, what to do? To caulk or not to caulk?
By the bay
Last edited by By the Bay; 08-04-2009 at 09:29 PM.
Reason: needed to add the location of the door
From your description, it sounds like either a PO was going to add a door, and never finished it, or the door is supposed to be there, and a modification inside caused it to go nowhere. Can you post a picture?
Also, silicone is contraindicated on aluminum, it contains ingredients known to the Airstream community to cause bad stuff to happen to the aluminum.
Hello, thats kind of funny...we just installed a door which leads to nowhere on our recent Airstream. When we bought it, it had a sliced main side panel close to the rear and made more sense to install a door than replace the main side panel. Could have been the same reasoning from your previous owner.
I'm not sure if they're all butyl caulks. But my preference is Sikaflex 221. It develops a dry surface skin in half a day compared with Vulkem which seems to take a long time. Gray is an excellent match for your favorite color.
I'm not sure if they're all butyl caulks. But my preference is Sikaflex 221. It develops a dry surface skin in half a day compared with Vulkem which seems to take a long time. Gray is an excellent match for your favorite color.
Most RV (SOB) supply stores and some mobile home dealers also carry Sikaflex. I buy it locally from a dealer in town, and I have seen it other places too. I find that a lot of things are stock with RV's, used in SOB's and Airstreams alike, and you can get replacements easily.
__________________
Jim and Sandy
"To know is nothing at all. To imagine, is everything." --Albert Einstein
After learning about Vulkem by reading in the archives, I'm still left with this question about that product:
Where can I buy the Vulkem?
I tend to get Vulkem from Vintage Trailer Supply - Vintage travel trailer parts and supplies! but many Fastenal stores have it as well (TremPro 636 "Vulkem" Polyurethane). We've got a local Fastenal just west of Peace Portal on Grandview, but I haven't tried them yet. I'm sure they can get it for you if they don't have it in stock.
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