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Old 05-28-2014, 07:00 PM   #1
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Airstream door & why?

Someone on this forum must know the answer to my query. Why did Airstream design the door to open against the direction of travel? In other words, why is the hinge mounted to the rear side of the door? This is commonly called a "suicide" door and many have blown open during towing at speed which damages the contour of the door and sometimes the body. I'm no engineer but if I were to design an airstream trailer the obvious place to mount the hinge would be towards the front, right? Please.....someone enlighten me w/the wisdom.
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Old 05-28-2014, 07:07 PM   #2
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I think maybe they didn't want the door to cover the window when it is open. For certain, make sure it is secure for travel.

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Old 05-28-2014, 08:16 PM   #3
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I believe it has to do with the awning arm. Suicide doors open to the inside and would not damage the awning arms where as if it opened with flow the door would swing back into the awning arm and could cause damage if allowed to swing open freely without stopping.
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Old 05-28-2014, 09:18 PM   #4
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They opened toward the back so that service departments would have extra work fixing doors that blew open going down the road.

It is simple really...
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Old 05-28-2014, 09:27 PM   #5
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Old 05-28-2014, 09:33 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Supertwin1 View Post
Someone on this forum must know the answer to my query. Why did Airstream design the door to open against the direction of travel? In other words, why is the hinge mounted to the rear side of the door? This is commonly called a "suicide" door and many have blown open during towing at speed which damages the contour of the door and sometimes the body. I'm no engineer but if I were to design an airstream trailer the obvious place to mount the hinge would be towards the front, right? Please.....someone enlighten me w/the wisdom.
Airstream didn't design the door to open against the direction of travel. Some are hinged at the back and some are hinged at the front. It all depends on the location of the adjacent windows.

But yeah, you're right. . . if you have a "suicide door" you better make sure it's securely locked shut before going out onto the highway!
.
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