Microwave Oven Vacating its Storage Cabinet/Drawer

[dukmon]

Hey all.

I'm going to assume all of the newer GT's have microwaves mounted inside a sliding drawer.

Has anyone had issue with the drawer opening while underway, and the microwave oven falling out?

It's happened to me twice now, and I've only towed the camper twice; from the dealership the day we picked it up and shortly after, back to the dealership to take care of some issues. All highway driving.

Honestly, I'm amazed the interior of the camper didn't get horribly mangled by the microwave oven working its way out (it had to become unplugged,) falling and sliding all over the place.

Taking off Sunday for our first trip. I'm leaving the microwave behind.

[Dennis C]

I don’t know how your microwave is mounted, but I had a similar issue in my 2020 International. We camped in a remote area of a state park and the road to the campground was rough. When we arrived, the microwave was completely out of the cabinet and the trim ring was destroyed. The microwave was also destroyed.

I ordered a new microwave and trim kit. When I installed it, I found that Airstream neglected to install the base plate that not only supports the microwave, but it directs cooling airflow from underneath the unit out through the vents in the trim kit. Without this base, the four tiny feet that support the microwave were balanced on a little thin strip of wood. Once the road got rough and the feet slipped off of the wood strip, the flimsy metal trim ring was the only thing supporting the microwave. That didn’t last long.

The problem was solved when I properly installed the microwave. I don’t know if Airstream left the base plate out by accident, or if the installer was just lazy and didn’t want to bother installing it.

[GRadventures]

I had both issues. The latch would not keep the drawer from opening. The upper metal catch needed to be lowered just a bit. A thin piece of thick paper (like a post card or business card) between the cabinet and the latch lowered it and keeps my drawer closed. I also bought a set of battery tie down-webbing straps with the metal stainless brackets from Amazon ($11). I needed shorter screws to install. Strapped the microwave in place (fore and aft) so the mocrowave door will open. Stays put now.

[dukmon]

I have suspected that it may be the latch, it was a little loose but still oriented the correct direction (12 o’clock). Trying to replicate the issue, I can not force the cabinet to open.

It appears the interior of the cabinet is made to keep the microwave pretty snug so it will not move around when closed.

Battery straps were the first thing I thought of, as a fix, although I hate to imagine the drawer opening and the weight of the microwave, slinging back-and-forth instead of ejecting.

I’m going to tinker with it a little. Definitely going to use the battery straps as you suggested, @GRadventures

[GRadventures]

I ended up strapping the unit down because after about 15K miles of Airstream travel, 2 or 3 of the plastic feet, that help hold it in place, broke off. The microwave was sliding around inside the cabinet. We have traveled another 15k miles since I strapped it and it stopped sliding around.