The New Stuff Is Now Wearing Out

[TomW]

Kim & I put my 1967 Overlander back on the road in 2004, and have thoroughly enjoyed collecting miles on it with our young children. 13 months apart, one of the Boyz was in diapers when we started exploring the SouthEast in our Airstream.

After ~35,000 miles, we have now been on the road long enough that the NEW stuff installed eight years ago is now starting to wear out. While some of it was expected, I'm surprised to have to spend money once again on a "new" nylon door striker pocket. It failed while prepping for our last trip, and we had to take extra care that the Airstream's door was actually closed during our visit to N GA.




I'm surprised that a striker pocket can be worn out in a relatively short amount of time since my American Classic, with its relatively new axles, shows no signs of unbalanced running gear.

But I'm still running the original fridge, oven, cooktop, furnace, water heater and (more-or-less) air conditioner. It is tough to complain.

It's been a fantastic ride.

Tom

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I think Out of Doors mart has those in cast aluminum. I bet you paid $14.95 for that and it cost the seller $.55...

[eubank]

Oh, so that's what was supposed to be in the hole on a 67! When we got ours from the PO years ago, I had no idea what was supposed to be there (other than the big hole that we found), so I built a doo-dad out of stock aluminum. It still seems to be holding strong, so I guess we won't go for the plastic.

Lynn

[Splitrock]

I made mine out of aluminum too. I did add a deadbolt.


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[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by TomW

Kim & I put my 1967 Overlander back on the road in 2004, and have thoroughly enjoyed collecting miles on it with our young children.

<snip>

After ~35,000 miles, we have now been on the road long enough that the NEW stuff installed eight years ago is now starting to wear out.

But I'm still running the original fridge, oven, cooktop, furnace, water heater and (more-or-less) air conditioner. It is tough to complain.

It's been a fantastic ride.

Tom

I'd say this is a good thing, a very good thing! It shows it's been used rather than just sitting. We had the same with Maxwell...and I'm sure we will with Birdy too! Happy trails!

Shari

[TomW]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

I think Out of Doors mart has those in cast aluminum. I bet you paid $14.95 for that and it cost the seller $.55...

Well, the striker pocket installed in 2012 is broken. I believe I will stop buying this part from Airstream.

Unfortunately, VTS is out of stock, and I cannot find anything on OoDM's site that looks like the right part.

Are you sure you have seen a cast aluminum version, Frank?

Tom

[overlander63]

Tom, I've seen that part in cast aluminum. I'll look on the shelf Monday, and see if it's something we have, that isn't cataloged.

[perryg114]

If you get me a part to model Tom I will make you one out of Aluminum. I also know a guy who can make one on a 3D printer if you must have plastic. Maybe we can send some to Frank so we can keep the world supplied with them.

Perry

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Striker for KT LockVTS has it...

[TomW]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Tom, I've seen that part in cast aluminum. I'll look on the shelf Monday, and see if it's something we have, that isn't cataloged.

Thanks, Terry! I will stand by.

Tom

[TomW]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Striker for KT LockVTS has it...

Thanks, Frank, but the wordage says "1970 - 1977 Airstream". Plus, I have four rivet holes instead of two.

But I appreciate you looking.

Tom

[TomW]

Originally Posted by perryg114

If you get me a part to model Tom I will make you one out of Aluminum. ...

That's WAY to much effort on your part, Perry.

Thanks for the offer, though.

Tom

[perryg114]

It keeps us from being board on slow days Tom. It is no big deal. It might be a new part I can sell like the Keeler Door Handles. I would not offer if I was not serious.

Perry

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Tom, I know there is another supplier. I do not buy there since the last time I had an issue with a product I was told "no returns, make it work"

[Tim A.]

Originally Posted by TomW

Thanks, Frank, but the wordage says "1970 - 1977 Airstream". Plus, I have four rivet holes instead of two.

But I appreciate you looking.

Tom

I looked at the picture of the stainless striker plate VTS sells and it might work for you, even though it has only two mounting holes. Those holes are recessed and would take screws. You could drill matching holes in the door frame (between the rivet holes) and mount with screws. The new striker plate would probably cover the old rivet holes.

Tim

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Tim A.

... and it might work for you, ...

Thanks, Tim, but "might" part bothers me.

The door frame appears to be cast aluminum. Drilling new holes between existing holes makes me pucker.

And if the entire opening needs to be enlarged...

Tom

[Tim A.]

Originally Posted by TomW

Thanks, Tim, but "might" part bothers me.

The door frame appears to be cast aluminum. Drilling new holes between existing holes makes me pucker.

And if the entire opening needs to be enlarged...

Tom

Tom,

The "might" part doesn't bother people like me, but my wife laughs about that a lot, saying that most lack my ability with tools. If you do work up the courage to drill new holes, lightly center-punch the precise hole location, drill it first with a short drill bit smaller than the final hole, and then drill out to the desired size.

Whether the frame is a casting or not, I would tap the holes for machine screws rather than trying to use self-tapping screws.

Tim

[ALUMINUMINUM]

One of the touted features of the 1968 AS was an improved door hinge. Perhaps the strike plate was an unmentioned improvement as well??


I'm nearly certain that this is the original strike plate on my '68 because my trailer has very little wear on it. The hinge is perfect, the door fits, the L-100 is mint and the the strike plate shows no wear. This strike plate has caused no damage or wear to the latch bolt. There are file marks on it from me easing the edge to improve closing.

If it isn't 1968 original, it's an excellent solution.

It is not a casting. It is a stainless steel plate with no pocket, that could easily be made in a few minutes, simply with a piece of 1/8” stainless, a drill, countersink, file and coping saw. Or you could try your luck ordering a 1968 strike plate from whomever and receive... who knows what??


Best of luck, Wm

[overlander63]

Here is a photo of the one we have in stock:

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

I think Out of Doors mart has those in cast aluminum. I bet you paid $14.95 for that and it cost the seller $.55...

Frank.

WOW.

Please let us know who makes them for 55 cents.

The striker pocket is "NYLON" which causes zero wear on the striker bolt.

Any and all metal striker pocket replacements "WILL" cause wear on the striker bolt.

That's why Airstream used a brass shim, on the 1970 to 1977 models.

Andy