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08-19-2017, 12:56 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2020 25' Globetrotter
Los Gatos
, California
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 415
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Front pano window latches
New Bambi and have washed twice and seems the front pano windows cover screw holders, which need to be opened to wash the windows, can be a problem. One fell out and one does not seem to hold. Anyone have issue and found way to make better?
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08-19-2017, 01:18 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2018 27' Globetrotter
Apollo Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,401
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I had the same issue the first time I washed my windows. I can't believe how flimsy those connections were and they stripped. So I did a permanent fix.
I basically copied the through-bolt method from the stainless steel rock guards. First I drilled out the rivets holding the rubber grommet connectors on the Airstream. Then I went to the hardware store and bought stainless steel screws, washers, and locking nuts that fit through the stripped out hole on the rubber grommet connector. I double locking nutted it, putting one against the washer on the rubber grommet, that I re-riveted back on the Airstream, and the other onto the bolt after closing the window rock guard. I will post some pictures of this repair on page 4 in my "On the Road . . . With AirMiles" thread shortly. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...-166881-4.html
__________________
2021 Northern-Lite 10-2 & F350 DRW PSD, 600W Solar/Victron/600A BattleBorn
146 nights 31,000 miles (first 10 months!)
Sold: 2018 GT27Q, 74 nights 12,777 miles
Sold: 2017 FC25FB, 316 nights 40,150 miles
Sold: 2013 Casita SD17 89 nights 16,200 miles
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08-19-2017, 02:23 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2018 27' Globetrotter
Apollo Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,401
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__________________
2021 Northern-Lite 10-2 & F350 DRW PSD, 600W Solar/Victron/600A BattleBorn
146 nights 31,000 miles (first 10 months!)
Sold: 2018 GT27Q, 74 nights 12,777 miles
Sold: 2017 FC25FB, 316 nights 40,150 miles
Sold: 2013 Casita SD17 89 nights 16,200 miles
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08-23-2017, 05:13 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
2020 25' Globetrotter
Los Gatos
, California
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 415
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Did you use pop rivets?
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08-23-2017, 05:23 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2018 27' Globetrotter
Apollo Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,401
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Yes, I used aluminum pop rivets as seen in the pictures.
__________________
2021 Northern-Lite 10-2 & F350 DRW PSD, 600W Solar/Victron/600A BattleBorn
146 nights 31,000 miles (first 10 months!)
Sold: 2018 GT27Q, 74 nights 12,777 miles
Sold: 2017 FC25FB, 316 nights 40,150 miles
Sold: 2013 Casita SD17 89 nights 16,200 miles
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08-23-2017, 06:26 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
2020 25' Globetrotter
Los Gatos
, California
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 415
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Thought they were, just wanted to make sure. Thanks!
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08-24-2017, 11:54 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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The latches are designed to just turn 1/4 turn to release and not come out.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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08-24-2017, 12:55 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
2012 16' Sport
San Bernardino
, California
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 443
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garfish
New Bambi and have washed twice and seems the front pano windows cover screw holders, which need to be opened to wash the windows, can be a problem. One fell out and one does not seem to hold. Anyone have issue and found way to make better?
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They were a pain in 2012, and sounds like they still are. You might try adding a very thin lock washer to keep it in place. Actually taking a flat thin regular washer and cutting a slit would probably work better. Or maybe a fibre or rubber washer that you could force over the end of the connect. Has to be thin enough to let you still fasten the latch, which are hard enough to do without adding anything to them.
Mine haven't fallen out, but they aren't far from it. And I don't completely trust them to hold. This is one of the few very poor designs by Airstream. I don't know why they haven't improved it yet. If the screws let go, the planos will likely fly open in the worse position. I keep putting off adding a better latch system to the frame.
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08-24-2017, 01:07 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,660
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Huh, mine are 11 years old, are opened several times a year and have never been a problem......
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-24-2017, 01:10 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2012 16' Sport
San Bernardino
, California
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 443
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
Huh, mine are 11 years old, are opened several times a year and have never been a problem......
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Maybe they made them better before. Even new, mine barely latched, and with great effort.
But then, I was an Air Force avionics troop for many years. THEY use real fasteners...dzus and other types...that actually fasten securely. The AS latches are a joke.
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08-24-2017, 01:15 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,660
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich of SCal
Maybe they made them better before. Even new, mine barely latched, and with great effort.
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Well one does have to press inward with maybe 10 or 15 pounds of force to compress the rubber, then turn 1/4 turn clockwise. A large blade screwdriver helps and a step stool to get some weight behind it helps, as well. It is the compression of the rubber that keeps them in place.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-24-2017, 01:35 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2012 16' Sport
San Bernardino
, California
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 443
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
Well one does have to press inward with maybe 10 or 15 pounds of force to compress the rubber, then turn 1/4 turn clocise. A large blade screwdriver helps and a step stool to get some weight behind it helps, as well. It is the compression of the rubber that keeps them in place.
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Seriously??? In my 26 years with the Air Force, working on airplanes most of it, I have probably turned 1000's of dzus fasteners, which work the same way. Yes, it works, but quality is poor. With good fasteners there is a very distinctive click when it engages. These kind of rub their way in. But yours may be better quality than the current ones. It is apparent they are going the cheap route on these. In fact, your statement that it is the rubber that holds them, demonstrates that. With quality fasteners, it is NOT the rubber that holds them, it is the metal and wire system built into the fastener system itself.
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08-24-2017, 01:37 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,660
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Yes, seriously
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-24-2017, 01:39 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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These same latches are on many HVAC return filter grills.
Maybe I am familiar with them because I have turned a few of them in my years in the HVAC filter industry...
The "quick release" saddle bags on my Harley are this type of fastener, too.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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08-24-2017, 01:45 PM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
2012 16' Sport
San Bernardino
, California
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 443
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
Yes, seriously
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duh
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08-24-2017, 01:47 PM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
2012 16' Sport
San Bernardino
, California
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 443
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony
These same latches are on many HVAC return filter grills.
Maybe I am familiar with them because I have turned a few of them in my years in the HVAC filter industry...
The "quick release" saddle bags on my Harley are this type of fastener, too.
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I don't have a issue with quick release, I just think these particular ones are cheap and low quality.
Also, how many of your HVAC systems are flying down the freeway?
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08-24-2017, 01:50 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,660
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich of SCal
I don't have a issue with quick release, I just think these particular ones are cheap and low quality.
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Is there more than one brand? Or does dzus have a current patent? Maybe a supplier issue. As said, mine are still positive and tight at 11 years.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-24-2017, 02:02 PM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2012 16' Sport
San Bernardino
, California
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 443
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MORE HISTORY ON THIS TOPIC...and some fixes!
Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
Is there more than one brand? Or does dzus have a current patent? Maybe a supplier issue. As said, mine are still positive and tight at 11 years.
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Yes, apparently ours are SouthCo brand, not dzus.
I just came across this thread:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454...oke-92882.html
Not surprisingly, others HAVE had disastrous results with these. The thread also has some recommendations for replacing with a better product.
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08-24-2017, 02:06 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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The latches on my 2013 Classic 30 seem OK.
I open those window protectors at least once per year to remove oak leaves and pine needles...
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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08-24-2017, 02:12 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,660
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich of SCal
Yes, apparently ours are SouthCo brand, not dzus.
I just came across this thread:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454...oke-92882.html
Not surprisingly, others HAVE had disastrous results with these. The thread also has some recommendations for replacing with a better product.
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Read it. I wonder if those with problems really have an install alignment issue, think they have them latched, but really they're not. Or have to force them due to misalignment and damage them. I don't know if mine are southco. Will have to check.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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