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01-10-2023, 02:42 PM
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#21
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4 Rivet Member
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Celina
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 386
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Hey guys, spitballers and all. They are not Zeus, not Duzs, not Druz. They are DZUS fasteners. Work well in correct applications, both aero and other.
The most common failure of the fastener occurs when the person attempting to unfasten it keeps turning it counterclockwise, think it is a ordinary screw. Encounters a little resistance at the quarter turn point but keeps on powering thru in an attempt to unscrew the fastener. The continued counterclockwise rotation mangles the fastening mechanism and renders it useless
I venture not more that one percent of Airstream owners realize those are DZUS fasteners and the rest mangle them to the verge of uselessness. Ergo, window protectors fly off and damage things.
__________________
2017 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost w/Max Tow
FAA Certificated Remote (Drone) Pilot
Amateur Radio Extra Class N5EAS
Journeying America via the "Blue Highways"
-Be Curious, Not Judgemental…Walt Whitman-
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01-10-2023, 03:02 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master
2017 16' Sport
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,789
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Genebuilder
Hey guys, spitballers and all. They are not Zeus, not Duzs, not Druz. They are DZUS fasteners. Work well in correct applications, both aero and other.
The most common failure of the fastener occurs when the person attempting to unfasten it keeps turning it counterclockwise, think it is a ordinary screw. Encounters a little resistance at the quarter turn point but keeps on powering thru in an attempt to unscrew the fastener. The continued counterclockwise rotation mangles the fastening mechanism and renders it useless
I venture not more that one percent of Airstream owners realize those are DZUS fasteners and the rest mangle them to the verge of uselessness. Ergo, window protectors fly off and damage things.
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What I said 1/4 turn, been using them 4 years in Navy and 30 + years as a private IFR pilot. Thanks for the spelling and nomenclature correction, used them, never had to order them you are absolutely right in their correct usage.
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01-10-2023, 04:06 PM
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#23
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4 Rivet Member
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Celina
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 386
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Silvr_Bullet
Thanks for the feedback.
I had the fortune (or misfortune) to learn to fly in a Bellanca Citabria with an ex Naval Air (Carrier Qualified)) pilot as my instructor. Was doing loops and rolls before i learned straight and level flight.
Nice to see you're still flying. GA is becoming a challenge to thrive in.
Sorry to interrupt the thread...missed the arresting cable.
__________________
2017 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost w/Max Tow
FAA Certificated Remote (Drone) Pilot
Amateur Radio Extra Class N5EAS
Journeying America via the "Blue Highways"
-Be Curious, Not Judgemental…Walt Whitman-
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01-10-2023, 05:47 PM
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#24
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
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I too should know better on the correct spelling. My opinion still stands
Sent from my Lenovo YT3-X90F using Airstream Forums mobile app
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01-10-2023, 06:35 PM
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#25
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2 Rivet Member
Los Angeles
, California
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 98
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I am sorry this happened to you !
I started occasionally checking ours after hearing they come loose and ordered a few spare fasteners from out of doors mart. Ours was partially loose the first time I checked it 6 months in.
The thread where another m ember upgraded their fasteners is here https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...de-207174.html
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01-10-2023, 07:05 PM
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#26
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Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Spicewood (W of Austin)
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,950
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Genebuilder
Silvr_Bullet
Thanks for the feedback.
I had the fortune (or misfortune) to learn to fly in a Bellanca Citabria with an ex Naval Air (Carrier Qualified)) pilot as my instructor. Was doing loops and rolls before i learned straight and level flight.
Nice to see you're still flying. GA is becoming a challenge to thrive in.
Sorry to interrupt the thread...missed the arresting cable.
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He was comin’ onto final
doin’ ninety miles an hour
When the LSO was heard to scream!
They found him in the water
with his hand upon the throttle
and the mixture was in automatic Lean!
The Pratt & Whitney man said
it couldn’t be the engine
Because those things were
known to never stop!
So what could be fairer
than to call it pilot error
‘cause you know it
could never be the prop?
(also apology to the topic)
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01-10-2023, 08:03 PM
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#27
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4 Rivet Member
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Celina
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 386
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I like it!
__________________
2017 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost w/Max Tow
FAA Certificated Remote (Drone) Pilot
Amateur Radio Extra Class N5EAS
Journeying America via the "Blue Highways"
-Be Curious, Not Judgemental…Walt Whitman-
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01-10-2023, 09:13 PM
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#28
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Flying Cloud
2020 25' International
minneapolis
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,468
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I had the same damage less the window. A good PDR guy will make it disappear.
If your heading toward Palm Springs anytime soon, I can give you the name of the guy who fixed mine.
__________________
- Stewart
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01-11-2023, 09:44 AM
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#29
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3 Rivet Member
2005 25' Safari
Boston
, Ma
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 143
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Awful to read, hassle for sure. There’s a guy on IG who doing incredible dent pulling on AS’s, end caps, body panels, including pics of a crease made from this exact situation.
https://instagram.com/primetechpdr?igshid=NTdlMDg3MTY=
__________________
2005 25’ Safari Special Edition (International Package)
Sendel 16’s, Michelin Cross Climate, Shell on interior update (floor frame solid) Ampere Time lith batts, Victron Controls, Champion Dual Fuel 3400
WD Eaz-Lift 2 -1200lb bars 2-anti sway brakes
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01-11-2023, 10:02 AM
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#30
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1 Rivet Member
2021 27' Flying Cloud
HOCKLEY
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 9
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Thanks for the names and replies. I am going to try to go through the Dallas dealer first. I will probably have to replace it myself and may need a good dent guy!
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01-11-2023, 10:33 AM
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#31
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Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,621
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Quite entertaining, this post... I have had these fasteners strip also...happens only once and you remember the 1/4 turn rule.
As for the window, I wouldn't turn into insurance; I had to replace one my son battled with one evening while staying in our AS, and broke it..(he didn't say what caused it to break, but there were some empty beer cans in the trash!)
I ordered replacement window from JC and had it drop shipped "overnight" to my cabin in Lincoln MT. Shipping cost as much as the window, but think it was around $200 for the glass and same for the shipping. I had to order thru a dealer as they would not take the order on the phone at JC. Good luck!
__________________
Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
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01-15-2023, 10:26 AM
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#32
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,638
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Genebuilder
Hey guys, spitballers and all. They are not Zeus, not Duzs, not Druz. They are DZUS fasteners. Work well in correct applications, both aero and other.
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No wonder people misspell a silly name.
They work fine if the user has been schooled on their application.
Let's see a show of hands how many Airstream buyers had the tech demonstrate the correct usage during the walk through? I didn't think so.
I still think the person who replaced the DZUS fasteners with a machine screw facing out had the right idea.
Now that I've had my snark, I've used the DRUZ fasteners that have a screw with a claw, engaging a coil spring. They work fine as long as everyone treats them respectfully. I found in vendor gear, the spring would be buggered up and then the fastener was worthless.
But Airstream uses a different style, No? A screw with a flange engaging an oval opening???
Anyone have a diagram of what the receptacle looks like?
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01-15-2023, 10:32 AM
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#33
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4 Rivet Member
2016 25' International
Morgan Hill
, California
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 256
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Reading all this to learn. When I first tried to unlock/unfasten these on my AS I also did the 'more than 1/4 turn'. Ooops.
That being said. What alternatives are there to said DZUS fittings?
The before mentioned machine screw and nut?
No need to explain it all again just looking for other lock down options.
Thanks
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01-15-2023, 01:43 PM
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#34
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2 Rivet Member
2005 25' Safari
LOS ANGELES
, California
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 46
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I had my lower rock guard dol that on a trip 3 years ago on my 25' Safari. Thankfully it was covered by my insurance.
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01-15-2023, 02:11 PM
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#35
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4 Rivet Member
2021 27' International
Camas
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 352
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SAME thing happened to me
This fall between Las Vegas and Tahoe, two lane highway, semi coming in opposite direction, very big gust of wind hit when it past a couple times and the last, moments later noticed the screen swinging in the wind.
of course bent the screen, creased the side panel behind the awning strut, broke the lower small oval window.
I had just checked the screen at the last fuel stop an hour prior.
do you really believe this is a warranty issue?
__________________
2021 International 27 FBT - 2019 F150 Harley Davidson
2017 FC 23 FB - 2002 Range Rover
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01-16-2023, 08:09 AM
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#36
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1 Rivet Member
2021 27' Flying Cloud
HOCKLEY
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 9
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I am trying warranty first. They will tell me yes or no. If no then I will order the parts and replace. I hope the do approve it but I am not confident they will!
David
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01-16-2023, 09:55 AM
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#37
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Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,621
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kbmwrs
Reading all this to learn. When I first tried to unlock/unfasten these on my AS I also did the 'more than 1/4 turn'. Ooops.
That being said. What alternatives are there to said DZUS fittings?
The before mentioned machine screw and nut?
No need to explain it all again just looking for other lock down options.
Thanks
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Now, lets be clear: it's a DZUS "fastener"; not a DZUS "fitting"!
Here is an old post on another method: Circa 2012 AS Forum:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f45...ers-93588.html
__________________
Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
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01-16-2023, 05:55 PM
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#38
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New Member
2019 16' Sport
Columbus
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsydad
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Great post, thanks for sharing! Seems like the easiest and best fix to avoid a mishap. I'm another who wasn't told how to properly remove the stone guards, hence, now an ineffective/useless securing method. Upgrade in fastener needed, AS.
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01-16-2023, 10:28 PM
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#39
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Escape Pod II
2022 23' Flying Cloud
2018 22' Sport
Orange
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 779
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Do you have to turn the trailer upside down to replace the DRUZ fittings?
__________________
JEWare
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01-17-2023, 09:05 AM
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#40
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Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,621
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Ware
Do you have to turn the trailer upside down to replace the DRUZ fittings?
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No; that is only required when greasing the zert fittings... Those fittings can only be replaced with a good DRUZ locating tool, using a ladder.
Seriously though, the "window latch" DZUS fittings being used are tricky for sure, if your not careful. The comments by folks here who have had them over "tightened", or stripped when closing, and their curved "rock guard" window protective panel coming open while traveling due to wind or what ever is a scary/expensive$$ thought. I went to inspect mine yesterday. Opening the main big panel across the front, I was able to see they were latched properly, and that big plexiglass protective sunshield panel aluminum frame edges with the rubber do go over/cover the DZUS fasteners, helping keep them closed. A gust of wind in previous post, caught my attention, though for sure! I think the earlier post here showing those DZUS fasteners being replaced with a nut/bolt set up may be a good replacement...or perhaps the wire catch also shown earlier vs the DZUS receptacle. Note pics below: first is the DZUS; second (if you look close) is how the flat panel front rockguard/plexi glass panel covers the DZUS fasteners.
Terrible to have all these "potential" problem issues come up and get you to thinking!
__________________
Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
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