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Old 04-18-2019, 06:50 PM   #1
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2018 30' Classic
Traverse City , Michigan
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Know How your door lock is made

Had a really scary experience today. Got ready to leave our trailer and the door handle was flopping. We couldn’t get out. Called our dealer service dept. and talked with Joe, service manager (who is excellent). His immediate response was let’s think this through before you use the emergency window. No one seems to know how to put it back. It’s designed for life and death circumstances and probably won’t go back together. He suggested we find someone to open it from the outside then remove the black plate and take a picture of the interior and email it to him. With fear we called security and asked them to open the door if possible. Whew, it worked. Husband then removed the plate and we emailed pictures. Meanwhile, Joe went out to their lot and took the plate off another trailer to see first hand what it was suppose to look like. With my phone on speaker Joe and my husband put it back together. Are we comfortable trusting it? Probably not but we’re a long way from home. A HUGE thank you to Joe, at Nature & Me RV in Traverse City, MI. He goes above and beyond and we’re thankful for him.
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Old 04-18-2019, 06:58 PM   #2
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As far as I can tell the emergency window on our FC20 is a regular window, and the only difference is the spline for the screen has a little loop in it to make it easy to pull out. The emergency window on your classic is different? Regardless, I'm sure I could get out pretty fast in an emergency, but would not want to have to crawl out just because the door was stuck. I hope your fix was permanent.
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Old 04-18-2019, 07:17 PM   #3
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This is the MOD you need to do to prevent being locked in.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...od-150277.html
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Old 04-19-2019, 11:59 PM   #4
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Ah, the lowest bidder Airstream door handle made out of pot metal. Had this happen to me after only one year on a new trailer.
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Old 04-20-2019, 08:09 AM   #5
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We all use that inside handle to close the door. After a while, the handle gets loose.
In addition to strengthening the handle mount, I'm adding a cabinet pull above the handle to close the door.
The idea came from a member here; Sheriff1.
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Old 04-20-2019, 08:33 AM   #6
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Is there a mod to prevent that bottom latch from tripping when you close the door? Ours has started to latch and thankfully I keep a set of keys in the TV and on my belt as well.
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Old 04-20-2019, 10:53 AM   #7
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Great little MOD. Took me maybe 15 minutes max. And it works great. Highly recommend this to all.
Thanks a lot. Love the practicality of airforums. Happy travels.
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Old 04-21-2019, 05:32 AM   #8
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Menno, what is the MOD that works?
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Old 04-21-2019, 06:05 AM   #9
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After reviewing this thread and another one:


http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...od-150277.html


I followed the lead of post #25 in the second thread and picked up a 10-24 tap kit and added a screw & washers to the lever shaft. No drilling was needed, shaft hole size was very close to the #25 bit that came with the tap. A 1/2" ID washer fits over the slightly raised square shaft closely. Lever is not coming off.



Thanks to all contributors.
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Old 04-21-2019, 07:00 AM   #10
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Okay, simple question.
When I take the inside door plate off, are there any small parts that I need to keep from flying off?
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Old 04-21-2019, 07:06 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zybane View Post
Ah, the lowest bidder Airstream door handle made out of pot metal. < snip >
Nope, the handle is not 'pot metal' ... it is an aluminum casting. The 'Achilles heel' of the design is how the back of the handle is swedged onto the actuating plate... there is an easy and reliable fix for that... check out the threads linked in this discussion.

I did both mods.... no way I'm getting trapped inside!
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Old 04-21-2019, 07:06 AM   #12
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great suggestion

IMHO, this handle should be a stock item to reduce handle wear
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Old 04-21-2019, 08:39 AM   #13
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Mountain View , California
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Just pull on the screen handle.

The screen is attached to the door on the trailer. I have developed the habit of just pulling that screen handle to close the doors together and releasing the tension of pulling on the door handle.
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Old 04-21-2019, 02:28 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RFP View Post
Nope, the handle is not 'pot metal' ... it is an aluminum casting. The 'Achilles heel' of the design is how the back of the handle is swedged onto the actuating plate... there is an easy and reliable fix for that... check out the threads linked in this discussion.

I did both mods.... no way I'm getting trapped inside!
The point is you shouldn't have to "mod" something as critical as a door handle because Airstream saved $2 to do it right.
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Old 04-21-2019, 02:36 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zybane View Post
The point is you shouldn't have to "mod" something as critical as a door handle because Airstream saved $2 to do it right.
Of course, I agree, BUT the lock mechanism is what the lock mechanism is, so my point is that the weakness in the product we have can be made virtually bullet proof with very little effort and nearly no money. Grumble about how it is and take your chances, or do a preventive fix and forget about it.
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Old 04-22-2019, 06:42 AM   #16
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It is somewhere in this thread. I think this link brings you to it. Pretty simple to do.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...od-150277.html
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Old 04-22-2019, 10:58 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RFP View Post
Of course, I agree, BUT the lock mechanism is what the lock mechanism is, so my point is that the weakness in the product we have can be made virtually bullet proof with very little effort and nearly no money. Grumble about how it is and take your chances, or do a preventive fix and forget about it.
I fixed it the day it broke. I can still grumble about it.
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Old 04-22-2019, 02:26 PM   #18
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i did the safety fix.
use thin washers
i had to shave of the head of the #10-32 machine screw as it interfered with the locking mechanism

this is what the back now looks like

TNX for the good suggestion

the pdf has all the photos of what others posted
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