Hi All! We have recently become the proud owners of our first Airstream, and are plunging in to the first of many projects in her restoration. First things first, making it secure!
The door has obviously had numerous mods and issues in the past. I suspect it has been broken in to at least once in the past, and is ripe for another one, especially in my neighbourhood!
I am attaching some photos so that you can see the state of the door now.
At some time, it may have had a deadbolt installed, which is no longer there. I am trying to replace it.
First question- Did 66 Airstreams have a deadbolt as a factory install or option? I'm pretty sure whatever was there previously, was added later on mine.
In picture 1, There is a hole in the door itself for a deadbolt or original door set lock. It is possible that the original door set may have been moved to a higher position.
I have not been successful in finding a new deadbolt set that actually fits this bottom hole. The hole for the backset is only 7/8" and every deadbolt I have found is 1".
At this point, I am going to try to modify a 1" set to work.
I am planning to bore out the metal a bit more on the existing hole . There isnt much room to spare and Im a little nervous, but dont see any other option.
I am also having some issues finding a flush strike plate to hold the backset that will fit the bottom hole, I hope to find something to solve that dilemma but no success yet. Hoping someone here might have some ideas on that front. I think in worst case I could go with out that strike plate but worry that the backset could be more easily prone to movement or turning if there is pressure applied.
On the trailer side, picture 2, there is evidence that the metal frame and Door set strike reinforcer (top hole) has been tampered with as evidenced by the large chunk missing.
. I am hoping to fashion a small piece of metal to cover that hole that I would rivet on the outside.
Also , in picture 2, the bottom reinforcer plate, (white plastic) which the previous deadbolt or old lockset would have sat in, is degraded and needs to be replaced. I have removed it and don't anticipate any issues with replacing this piece with something similar to the one above it. VTS does sell the plastic replacement ones but it seems the metal would be stronger?
Picture 3 shows the interior skin with the screen door clip. The existing hole will need to be covered with a patch and a larger hole bored for the new lock set. Trying figure out what was there before???? Strange set up with the holes....this is what leads me to believe that originally the bargeman door set might have lived here....doesn't look like any deadbolt set up I have ever seen...
Would it be a good idea to use a metal patch here for added strength?
I plan on placing the screen door clip with something beefier. I have one on order from VTS.
I removed the interior skin yesterday to take a look at the existing assembly and do an assessment.
When I removed the interior skin, I discovered something very strange. Between the interior and exterior skins there was a wooden brace that was the shape of an "E" - but backwards.
The brace had obviously held the bargeman set in place as well as what ever was below it. The moment I removed the interior skin, this wooden brace disintegrated ( it was old plywood). Whoopsie. Looks like there was some water damage there....
I taped that wooden brace together as best I could in order to be able to lock the door.
sadly I forgot to take a photo of it before I reattached the skin. Which I had to re-rivet as I had no CLecos that would fit.
What I am wondering is what would have originally been there as a brace for the lockset. Also thinking that moving forward, I should fashion something out of metal or aluminum to replace it. "C" channel perhaps?
If anyone has photos of their set up (original or not) for this vintage I would love to see them to reference.
Also, has anyone here ever found a 7/8" backset?
Thanks in advance for your input!
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