Urgent Door Question!

[royalcourt]

Hi There,
I know nothing about airstreams and I'm just wondering if someone can help me! I'm writing from a theatre in London and we are planning to put an authentic airstream on stage as the setting/design of a new play we are opening in the summer. It is likely we will purchase one from the states and have it shipped over. However, one thing we desperately need to know is whether the doors are always on the same side. Imagine you are sat in the audience and you are looking at the airstream on stage - the position of the door needs to be on the left of the airstream (or stage left if you happen to be someone who works in the theatre!) Every picture we've looked at so far (and we've viewed hundreds!) all seem to be on the right. We need one between 22 and 26ft - do any have their door in the position described above?
Many thanks, Sarah

[DEITZ645]

Sarah,
I believe that the door on any Airstream from the States will be on what we call the "curb side" (passenger side here across the pond) of the coach.

There are some folks here on the forums from the U.K. and might be able to help you. You can search for them in the membership directory and send them a P.M.

[CanoeStream]

The simple answer is, "Yes, the door is always on one side." Some 30' or so rear bedroom Airstreams have a 2nd door for the rear bedroom.

Five or more years ago on these forums I did see a photo of a 3-door Airstream. The third door was on the roadside. That certainly was a custom one-off job.

[royalcourt]

Thanks both of you for your very helpful (and speedy) responses. Already this is very useful to us.
Sarah

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by royalcourt

Hi There,
I know nothing about airstreams and I'm just wondering if someone can help me! I'm writing from a theatre in London and we are planning to put an authentic airstream on stage as the setting/design of a new play we are opening in the summer. It is likely we will purchase one from the states and have it shipped over. However, one thing we desperately need to know is whether the doors are always on the same side. Imagine you are sat in the audience and you are looking at the airstream on stage - the position of the door needs to be on the left of the airstream (or stage left if you happen to be someone who works in the theatre!) Every picture we've looked at so far (and we've viewed hundreds!) all seem to be on the right. We need one between 22 and 26ft - do any have their door in the position described above?
Many thanks, Sarah

Depending on the year and length Airstream, a road side door can be added.

It will not be cheap, but it can be done.

A 24 or 26 foot trailer would create less of a challenge.

Andy

[r&kweber]

If we're in the audience, are we looking at the front or side of the Airstream? If we're looking at the front of the trailer (directly at the propane tanks), the door will always be stage right. If we are looking at the right (curb) side of the trailer, then there are many configurations the trailers are made.

Most of the time, the door is forward of the axle. Sometimes the door is rear of the axle. The door on older Airstreams have the hinges on either the left side or right side of the door. With the correct vintage trailer, the door could swing stage left.

If you would like the door to be on the left side (street side) of the trailer, you will need to (gulp) remove the door and frame and install it on the other side. That would make me very sad, but your scene shop or prop shop could do it pretty easily. If the step needs to be moved, that is a much more difficult problem.

I assume you've seen the great photo archives of Airstreams (don't forget to donate!):

Vintage Airstream Photo Archives



This trailer might have the door you are looking for:

64GT

Good luck!

Ryan.

[richinny]

since you folks drive on the wrong side of the road, lol, you might find an airstream built for use in the UK that might have a door on your streetside. it's worth investigating.