Need advice on door and door handles

[Minno]

We have a shelter built over Little Girl ('72 Soverign) now, so we unsealed the door, and started examining the door and handle a little more closely. The handle on it is/was a regular door handle, the AS one was totally gone and the area is patched with aluminum. Would a new AS door handle fit this trailer or should we go for the '72 vintage style we found on a web site?
Also, the door seems to be sproinged at the bottom out from the trailer. The top and sides seem to be approximated pretty well, but the bottom canters out a little. No idea how to fix - anyone? The hinge seems solid for both the screen door and outside door.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Minno

We have a shelter built over Little Girl ('72 Soverign) now, so we unsealed the door, and started examining the door and handle a little more closely. The handle on it is/was a regular door handle, the AS one was totally gone and the area is patched with aluminum. Would a new AS door handle fit this trailer or should we go for the '72 vintage style we found on a web site?
Also, the door seems to be sproinged at the bottom out from the trailer. The top and sides seem to be approximated pretty well, but the bottom canters out a little. No idea how to fix - anyone? The hinge seems solid for both the screen door and outside door.

Your Airstreams entrance door has a cast frame. It's obviously bent.

You must not try to bend it back in shape, or you take the risk of breaking the door frame.

You should be able to remove that plate and install the original lock. But be prepared, as that original lock costs several hundred dollars.

The best way to fix the door, is to study it to see where it's bent. Then you must cut the frame, bend it back in place, and then have it welded.

However, the frame, in your case, might be cracked at the entrance door lock.

Look at the frame very carefully, for a crack or stretch marks.

Andy

[Minno]

Thanks Andy. As always, you are a wealth of infomration. Sounds like fixing the door would be the same process as bending a board, cut knerfs in the inside of the frame, bend to the appropriate raduis, and then weld back together. Might be time to buy a small MIG welder...

But, I think I'll wait on re-bending the door until we get the floor replaced. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm starting to think the trailer has sagged a bit at the front part of the door opening. The floor doesn't seem quite as solid, and the trim on the top inside of the door frame slopes down from the rear to the front. So, the best bet seems to be make sure the trailer body is correctly oriented with a new floor before tackling the door frame.

I have 2 more questions:

1. Does Inland sell the door lock for my trailer? (I know it's a tad pricey).

2. One of the black plastic retainers that holds the screen door to the outside door has broken free partway. One of the rivets has pulled out of the door. Do these things come apart? I'm trying to see how to get the sliding part off so I can drill out the remaining rivet - at least I think they are rivets holding it on.

Chris

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Minno

I have 2 more questions:

1. Does Inland sell the door lock for my trailer? (I know it's a tad pricey).

2. One of the black plastic retainers that holds the screen door to the outside door has broken free partway. One of the rivets has pulled out of the door. Do these things come apart? I'm trying to see how to get the sliding part off so I can drill out the remaining rivet - at least I think they are rivets holding it on.

Chris

To answer your questions, in order:
1-Yes, and also a replacement lock that is a ton cheaper, but will require a bit of plating similar to what you have now.
2-Those black plastic slide things are not supposed to be able to be taken apart.

[Minno]

Thanks. So, how do you get those black plastic slide things off? And put a replacement one on?

Chris

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Minno

Thanks. So, how do you get those black plastic slide things off? And put a replacement one on?

Chris

Chris.

Using a "putty knife" you can easily shear off the remaining rivet.

That black plastic latch snaps together. They can be taken apart, but look at the back side first.

A word of caution, usually but not always, when you pry the 2 pieces apart, you will damage them that then makes them useless.

The replacement, is the same latch and metal housing that's used for the main door holdback.

If you have a cast door frame on your Airstream, and you should, please call me for the lock information. That dictates the replacement kit that could be used, if you so wish.

Andy

[Distantdrummer]

Originally Posted by overlander63

To answer your questions, in order:

2-Those black plastic slide things are not supposed to be able to be taken apart.

I am not debating whether they are supposed to be or not. However other members here apparently disagree by experience.

Look Here>>>>http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...80&postcount=7

and Look Here>>>http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...2&postcount=15


If you break it or lose the spring order the better one from Terry & Andy's place (Inland).
The metal clad one is an improvement anyway. I think you have to order it as two separate items IIRC. I''m sure they will let you know.