1969 Overlander Knob

[Skyeyes2blue]

..ANY ONEHAVE ANY IDEA's for a different type? We hate the Brinkman design what were they thinking of? 2 years back the door came open while driving, yes it was locked and we had been having trouble locking and unlocking it. We wrapped some wire around th knob and then through the hand grip to hold it closed until we were ableto get to Red River, NM where we had relations . I used the trusty laptop and ordered a new one $170. + shipping 2nd day air, and it got there when promised. Took a good while to change it out, so glad we didn't have some real fun planned. We are now having trouble with the new knob, sometimes won't lock, sometimes won't open . PLEASE HELP we love our Airstream otherwise.

[Zeppelinium]

Vintage Airstream is now carrying the door latch. If you bought one in the last few years, the latch tongue was too short--it worked, but there was no margin. I take it from the Vintage Airstream site that their lock has a special tongue that makes it more compatible.

That still doesn't answer your question about a better design. The only solution I've seen is an added hasp and padlock, which sucks, frankly. But what are you going to do?

Zep

[overlander63]

You can install a deadbolt, many newer coaches have them. It will keep the door from trying to leave the trailer while you are going 60 down the road...

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Skyeyes2blue

..ANY ONEHAVE ANY IDEA's for a different type? We hate the Brinkman design what were they thinking of? 2 years back the door came open while driving, yes it was locked and we had been having trouble locking and unlocking it. We wrapped some wire around th knob and then through the hand grip to hold it closed until we were ableto get to Red River, NM where we had relations . I used the trusty laptop and ordered a new one $170. + shipping 2nd day air, and it got there when promised. Took a good while to change it out, so glad we didn't have some real fun planned. We are now having trouble with the new knob, sometimes won't lock, sometimes won't open . PLEASE HELP we love our Airstream otherwise.

Over tightening of the screws sometimes causes hard locking.

Suggest you spray the lock parts with silicone spray.

Check the striker pocket. It should be a nylon part. If not, then the wrong pocket may be installed.

Drilling a hole in the cast door frame, is not a good idea.

When a dead bolt hole is drilled into the door frame, which is cast metal, it severely weakens that frame. Slamming the door, just one time, can cause the door frame to break.

The problem then becomes finding someone that can weld the frame back together, "PROPERLY" along with making sure the entire door still fits the door jamb correctly.

Then hope for the best, that you don't slam the door, ever again.

Andy

[overlander63]

Andy, is the weakening of the door frame only a problem with certain doors? Ours has had a deadbolt for decades, and has been slammed, really hard, more than once, just since we've owned it. That's why I suggested it, we have it, and like the extra hold, and have had no problems. Are we just lucky, or is there a secret of type of door or year?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Andy, is the weakening of the door frame only a problem with certain doors? Ours has had a deadbolt for decades, and has been slammed, really hard, more than once, just since we've owned it. That's why I suggested it, we have it, and like the extra hold, and have had no problems. Are we just lucky, or is there a secret of type of door or year?

Cast door frame were used from the 1965 models up to and including the 1972models.

1962 and prior used extrusions, but the method of construction could have been better,

From 1973 until today, aluminum extrusions are again used.

They will not snap as the cast frames sometimes do, but they will stretch. Drill a hole large enough in the extrusion door frames, and watch it slowly but surely not fit at the top and bottom.

Andy

[Skyeyes2blue]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will check the striker pocket to see if nylon or not...this maybe the problem as we had same problem as STESPOT . Push in on door and it would unlock sometimes,other times turning the knob the oppistie direction need to lock or unlock door while turning the key worked sometimes. Why couldn't they just make a knob like regular door with longer shaft?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Skyeyes2blue

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will check the striker pocket to see if nylon or not...this maybe the problem as we had same problem as STESPOT . Push in on door and it would unlock sometimes,other times turning the knob the oppistie direction need to lock or unlock door while turning the key worked sometimes. Why couldn't they just make a knob like regular door with longer shaft?

They did, and that's what should be on your 69.

Andy

[Skyeyes2blue]

Finally have had time to take the thing apart . There is no nylon parts in the Brinkman L100 new one or old one. But we found a very thin washer that was bent and this was causing the problem this time.
And I have never seen a regular door knob made like this one. The very first square plate I've seen on any trailer other than Airstream. They could really use a simpler design, and a little more difficult to break into. Folks don't leave your jewels , cameras , computers etc. in these older trailers.
Also i could not locate the dealer for the other knob Vintage Airstream has list of several parts suppliers, but I couldn't locate any door knobs. Please give me info on how to contact the dealer.
Thanks.