Upgrade storage compartment door wires

[billrector]

As you can see from the pictures, the wires that hold up the door on my storage compartment have cut through the door gasket.



This was on my warranty list for my dealer but I did not discover that they neglected to repair it until I got my trailer home. I called Airstream and had them send me a new gasket.

I want to replace the wire with a larger diameter which will be better for the gasket. Today, I went to Home Depot and Ace hardware but was unable to find the connectors that go on the door and inside the storage compartment.


They are similar to electrical connections but a little more stout.

I’m also concerned about drilling out the river as I’m afraid the inside part will be stuck inside the door forever.

Anyone tackle this project successfully?

[GCinSC2]

I’m not at my trailer to get visionary powers but how about a plastic shield between gasket and wire?

Maybe a thicker piece of a coolant jug handle that has a curve to cover seal and attach inside or zip tie to wire.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by billrector

I’m afraid the inside part will be stuck inside the door forever.
Anyone tackle this project successfully?

Bill,
You can just drill that rivet out. The rivet stem will remain inside the hatch door but the door is foam filled so it will not rattle around on the inside.

Just note, that rivet is Stainless Steel “Not” aluminum. This is to increase the tensile strength. So you will want to replace it with another Stainless rivet.
Also note it’s going to need to be drilled out with a sharp bit and steady pressure.

[eagletoo]

GC,
How about cutting a 2” long piece of #10 or #12 copper wire.
Using a razor knife, slice lengthwise through 1 side of the insulation and remove the copper wire.
Install the empty insulation covering over the steel cable and secure in place with either duct tape or baby Ty-raps.
In the future, try not to place anything heavy or lean on the storage door.
Hope this helps.

[drbrick]

You can also buy coated wire... Also recommend that you stop using the open door as a side table to place your beverage on while camping puts less strain on the wire support....

[Ken G]

I am curious, do you use the compartment door as a platform - I mean put weight on it? These doors are so light it seems the only thing that would cause the gasket to be cut would be weight on the door causing excess wire tension.

[billrector]

Originally Posted by Ken G

I am curious, do you use the compartment door as a platform - I mean put weight on it? These doors are so light it seems the only thing that would cause the gasket to be cut would be weight on the door causing excess wire tension.

I store bins about the size of a shoe box inside the compartment. Since the compartment is right behind the propane tanks, it is hard to get into the compartment except from the side. So I’m sure that some weight is put on the door as I drag the appropriate box out. I think wires over a rubber gasket is a dumb design!

[Moflash]

I covered ours in small diameter automotive vacuum hose.Available at Orielly's

Autoparts

[billrector]

Originally Posted by Moflash

I covered ours in small diameter automotive vacuum hose.Available at Orielly's

Autoparts

Ah vacuum hose! I looked at vinyl hose yesterday but the smallest was 1/4”. Vacuum hose is genius! I assume you split it with a razor?

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by billrector

Ah vacuum hose! I looked at vinyl hose yesterday but the smallest was 1/4”. Vacuum hose is genius! I assume you split it with a razor?

I did just that.Works great

[Streamracer]

On my compartment door cables I have them anchored outside the gasket in the frame. Never had a problem with cut gaskets.

[billrector]

Originally Posted by Streamracer

On my compartment door cables I have them anchored outside the gasket in the frame. Never had a problem with cut gaskets.

Was there a thread or a post on that? I seem to remember it but I could not find it with a search earlier today.

[drobert33]

Clear vinyl tubing (Tractor Supply, but many other places), left over from extending the snout on the fridge drip tray so it would reach further into the drain tube. Used an Exacto knife (is that a trademark?) to cut it lengthwise in a bit of a spiral, hoping it would be less likely that the wire would find its way into the split. Wrapped it with electrical tape anyway (hey, we were on the road - you use what you’ve got lying around). Two years on still working. As is the fridge drip tray snout.

[Pat Pierce]

Another idea FWIW is the plastic spiral wound electrical tubing for automotive electrical wiring. The smallest diameter is .25"....at least that I have seen, and have used. Flexible and simple to slip over entire attached wire. Cut to length. Then electrical tape around both ends of the tubing.

[waninae39]

IMHO, slip on a few lengths of every increasing diameter heat shrink tubing. this should mitigate future sharp edges and unlike tape, will not skip or unravel

[Silvr_Bullet]

How about a piece of flat ridged plastic stored inside the compartment, when opening door place it between gasket and wire, add a placard on inside of compartment to remind you to insert plastic . Anyway that’s my thought although haven’t tried it.

[Mollysdad]

Put weight on the door? YES!
I use my rear compartment for the power cables, so it's difficult to store or remove the cables without dragging them over the door. I even coil the power cable ON the door.
I watch these ideas looking for a nice solution, thanks!

Now if the compartment light would not turn on every time it's bumped!
Bad design. (I actually thought the light automatically came on when the door opened, until one night I saw the glow under the bed!)

[billrector]

So I thought I’d follow up with my issue of the wire cutting into the storage compartment gasket on my FC 27’. The vacuum line was perfect! It has a small enough I.D. to not be sloppy on the wire and a large enoughO.D. to protect the gasket well! I purchased 5’ and only needed less than half of that.

Here are the results::

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by billrector

So I thought I’d follow up with my issue of the wire cutting into the storage compartment gasket on my FC 27’. The vacuum line was perfect! It has a small enough I.D. to not be sloppy on the wire and a large enoughO.D. to protect the gasket well! I purchased 5’ and only needed less than half of that.

Here are the results::

Attachment 355809Attachment 355810

Excellent!
Did you drill out the pop rivets on the door or slice the tubing?

[Halford1]

would a plastic dip do a good job?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dip-and-G...10090302008005