We have a 2008 20' Safari that has 4 drawers on the curbside. On 2 occasions last year, one or several of the drawers came open while driving; in one case making some mess, and the other doing some damage to the drawers and contents. (I know putting less weight in them would help, but that's an argument I've alredy lost).
So does anyone have some ideas on how to keep the drawers secure while on the road? Perhaps a velcro strap? Anyway, I would appreciate any thoughts on the matter.
In newer units I use very small bungie cords and have a very small screw eye in the face of the cabinet. On older units I put two larger screw eyes in the cabinet face and put a dowel through it to make sure they do not come out.
You can change the latches with 10# verses the 3# stock latches that are already there or......make sure you tires are balanced, add centramatics to the wheels, and check for correct air pressure. Those three steps cured my drawer opening problems. (Please let me credit Andy here on the forum for that fix!)
Some people have more trouble with drawers than others. It may have to do with tire balance, bad driving, bumps hit too fast, potholes or crappy drawer latches. It's possible Airstream uses different latches at different times depending what is cheapest.
The drawer under one dinette seat kept opening and an extra latch was added and we put less heavy stuff in it and that was solved. The drawers in the bedroom have opened once or twice when we've been on really bad roads and that seems to happen pretty rarely. Sometimes you don't see the pothole or bump until it's too late. You can put better latches inside and that will look better and be easier to open and close than bungie cords, hooks on the outside and such.
Hi, my wheels are balanced and I have Centramatics, but the rough roads and freeways were knocking my bathroom cabinet, sliding doors off track at times. I drilled one hole through the plastic track and both doors. Then I installed a clevis pin to hold everything in place while traveling. Once stopped, we pull the pin. I also used this same pin idea on my folding table. First two pictures are of folding table.
__________________ Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
Thanks for the link to this supplier. These are just what we've been looking for.
__________________ Greg Heuer, Spirit of Virginia Airstream Club
2011 31' Classic Ltd. - The Silver Otter III
2013 GMC Denali 2500HD 6.6 DuraMax - Sierra Blanca
TAC VA-18 | Life Mbr ACI 1927 - Spirit of Virginia Club | AIR 53869
It always amazes me how much good information comes back so quickly on the Airstream forum. Having never heard of centramtics or different # spring tension latches, it opens up new solutions to me. Thanks to you all for all the ideas and real world solutions.
What happened to Aage's post about "drawers" in another sense? I believe it was originally #8. I can't remember exactly what it said, but it may have had something to do with Henri's drawers.
What happened to Aage's post about "drawers" in another sense? I believe it was originally #8. I can't remember exactly what it said, but it may have had something to do with Henri's drawers.
Most of the big box retailers sell drawer/door latches in the baby section. They're made by a company called "Safety 1st". There are a couple different varieties, from simple plastic for light duty drawers and doors to heavier, magnetic catches. They work pretty well and they're inexpensive.
What happened to Aage's post about "drawers" in another sense? I believe it was originally #8. I can't remember exactly what it said, but it may have had something to do with Henri's drawers.
Gene
Actually, Henri's drawers do not seem to wander at all. 4,000 miles to Florida and back, they never budged, unless we pulled them open.
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.