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whatsherface · 08-06-2008, 06:51 PM

we just got a 1960 tradewind that needs a door, period.
it has a homeade jobber that ain't-a-workin'.
we're going to use this for temporary housing for the next few years and are cash-poor at present but hubbie is a professional carpenter and farm-style welder, very handy but eager to avoid reinventing the wheel.
i know we can't afford a factory(-remake) door at this stage in our lives and our decision to live in the airstream is first and foremost one of necessity, so we're not concerned with top-of-the-line period construction just yet...i gather we've got that death sentence-type dead-end problem here on the trailer, but i know there's more than one way to skin a cat, right?
any experience, any suggestions?
sources for used doors (or does that just open another can of worms)?what years and models would even be compatible?
wooden alternatives? is it realistic to have our aluminum welding shop down the road tackle it?
anything outside of the whole door box i haven't thought of (i.e. attaching the trailer to some sort of porch)?
completely new to this whole airstream world (not to mention the world of the internet)...any advice i would TRULY appreciate.
THANK YOU!!!

watson007 · 11-09-2008, 07:42 PM

The lock on my AS was broken[locked] so the prior owner just got a crow bar and ripped the skin on the Door !!!!!
$2000.00 is a lot for a new door IF I can find one !
I am taking it to a good sheet metal shop . This place does new hoods and duct work for restaurants and can do most anything. It looks like I will have a shiny 18 inch wide strip from front to back in the middle of my door but it will fit perfectly . I will ask them how to oxidize it to match the rest of my camper ...LOL
Watson

overlander64 · 11-09-2008, 10:35 PM

Greetings Whatsherface!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstream ownership!

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatsherface

we just got a 1960 tradewind that needs a door, period.
any experience, any suggestions?
sources for used doors (or does that just open another can of worms)?what years and models would even be compatible?

Your coach originally was equipped with what is referred to as a Door-Within-A-Door. Periodically, trailers of similar vintage are parted out, and once in a great while salvage dealers such as Colaws in Carthage, MO will have a vintage unit that is being parted out. If your current "make-do" door doesn't have the original hinge, a salvage door would also need the hinges as well -- hinge pins are readily available, but the hinges themselves are quite difficult to locate. In all probability, a salvage door from a coach between mid 1950s through the 1964 model year should be compatible -- close measurements would be necessary to confirm suitability.

The photo below illustrates the Door-Within-A-Door that was used on Airstreams through the 1964 model year. This door is on my '64 Overlander International.

Good luck with your search for a suitable replacement door!

Kevin

3Ms75Argosy · 11-09-2008, 11:02 PM

Ok, so this method isn't a purist way, but it may just work. I don't think you need to make a door with in a door... just a door is what you're after. I'd cut a template out that matches the outside curve of the trailer out of wood - this would be your outside curve. Have your husband cut a piece of plywood out that matches the inside of that curve, plus the depth of your door. You can have him make a set of ribs that follow that curve (either out of wood or if he's really good, aluminum). Then either screw or rivet aluminum to those ribs, and make a door that fits. The outside hinges are basically strap hinges.. I'm sure he can figure something out there.

As I said, not a purist way, but one to get you through the living situation, and cheaply.

Good luck!
Marc

goransons · 11-25-2008, 09:09 PM

Ok, so this might work, I'm sure someone out there knows for sure. Seattle Craigslist..

50's Airstream entry door - $500 (Snohomish)

Reply to: sale-931717710@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-23, 9:11PM PST

I have a airstream front door that came off a 1957 Airstream. It has the screen door built in. Nice shape. The smaller door has a couple of branch scrapes through it. Not bad. asking $500.00 OBO.

overlander64 · 11-25-2008, 10:12 PM

That door has the difficult to find OEM hinges -- hinge pins are relatively easy to find, but the hinges themselves are another story. Based on the door handle, it may actually fit later models -- I believe that latch style was used through about 1961.

Kevin