Accordion folding doors

[adonh]

In my 1976 Sovereign I have two accordion folding doors between the kitchen and the center bath/closet and rear bedroom. I would like to replace these with new ones. They are only a couple of feet wide. Anyone have a source for something like this.

Thanks

Don

[DEITZ645]

Don,
Have you tried Out Of Doors Mart, Vintage Trailer Supply, Or Inland RV???

They might have the parts you are looking for.

[FLYNCLD]

I have a used one for sale. Got to:

Airstream Trailer & Airstream Motorhome Classifieds - Folding Bathroom Door - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

[mello mike]

If you want to go vintage and authentic then I'd try Airstream part suppliers or classified ads like on this site. If you want to go cheap and easy, Home Depot and Lowe's sell these in different colors. That's what I did and it looks great.

[Jim Foster]

Lynn and I made such a door for our '65 Caravel as the old one was hard and cracking. We just got the material to make a second one for the '83 Excella we just purchased.

You need four yards of fabric. We chose some to go with the interior colors.
The opening is about 30-32 inches, make the door 40-42m inches wide and 72" tall.

Fold the material double. The fold becomes the bottom of the door. Buy replacement slats for vertical blinds at Home Depot. They are 3 1/3 inches wide. Sew 3 3/4' pockets lengthwise in the material. Cut the slats to length. Slide one slat in each pocket. Be sure to cut the slats at the bottom end, leaving the hole at the top. We used 1" split key rings in every other section, put through the material on one dice, then througn the slat, and through the material on the other side. Then attached the split rings to the original hanging hardware.

We sewed pockets in each end of the door for the originad hardware from the old door.

You will also want hems folded inward at the top for finish.

This door folds flatter, will last longer, and looks much nicer than the original vinyl door. If it becomes soiled, simply take it down, remove the slats and hardware from the pockets, and throw it in the washer.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by adonh

In my 1976 Sovereign I have two accordion folding doors between the kitchen and the center bath/closet and rear bedroom. I would like to replace these with new ones. They are only a couple of feet wide. Anyone have a source for something like this.

Thanks

Don

Home Depot has that type door.

However, they are typically taller, so you would have to cut it down.

Andy

[Mikethefixit]

Jim Foster
NOW THAT'S NEAT

[Jim Foster]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

Jim Foster
NOW THAT'S NEAT

Now.....If you want to get really fancy, get two different materials. One to match the room on one side and the other to match the room on the other side.

Let your imagination run...........

[modarch]

Jim- I will be honest, that gets my vote for the cool and super creative detail of the month! Very awesome idea that I am going to borrow!

Now I am just hoping that I kept the hardware that goes in that top track on my '67 Caravel.

[Jim Foster]

Originally Posted by modarch

Jim- I will be honest, that gets my vote for the cool and super creative detail of the month! Very awesome idea that I am going to borrow!

Now I am just hoping that I kept the hardware that goes in that top track on my '67 Caravel.

If you didn't keep the plastic sliders that go in the track, they can be purchased at any number of RV parts stores. Or...........you can make them from small eye-bolts, with the nut close to the eye and the balance of the bolt cut off using a cutter which will mess up the threads so that the nut doesn't back off. One of my sliders was broken, so that is just what I did. I used it as the first one in line at the handle end. It will never break. That was five years ago.

[funkill]

Originally Posted by Jim Foster

Lynn and I made such a door for our '65 Caravel as the old one was hard and cracking. We just got the material to make a second one for the '83 Excella we just purchased.

You need four yards of fabric. We chose some to go with the interior colors.
The opening is about 30-32 inches, make the door 40-42m inches wide and 72" tall.

Fold the material double. The fold becomes the bottom of the door. Buy replacement slats for vertical blinds at Home Depot. They are 3 1/3 inches wide. Sew 3 3/4' pockets lengthwise in the material. Cut the slats to length. Slide one slat in each pocket. Be sure to cut the slats at the bottom end, leaving the hole at the top. We used 1" split key rings in every other section, put through the material on one dice, then througn the slat, and through the material on the other side. Then attached the split rings to the original hanging hardware.

We sewed pockets in each end of the door for the originad hardware from the old door.

You will also want hems folded inward at the top for finish.

This door folds flatter, will last longer, and looks much nicer than the original vinyl door. If it becomes soiled, simply take it down, remove the slats and hardware from the pockets, and throw it in the washer.

Very well done!!!

[safari62]

I also replaced the old vinyl also with unbrella fabric. There are several different weights and weaves available. Advantages of fabrics are ventilation and material folds closer to wall.

[63air]

I replaced mine with a "pleated folding door" made by United Shade Inc.. Very close to the original door and they are custom sized so you can fit any doorway. Very easy to install. Best price I found was at Camping World but a lot of dealers can order them.

[Klatawa]

We totaly gutted our 63 safari and using the original layout we used birch for all of the wood work. We originaly left the curtain but I replace the curtain with a three section sliding door. With the door partialy opened it acts as a head board for the gaucho.

[wolverine]

That's one of the nicest mods I have seen--great job!

[modarch]

Originally Posted by Klatawa

We totaly gutted our 63 safari and using the original layout we used birch for all of the wood work. We originaly left the curtain but I replace the curtain with a three section sliding door. With the door partialy opened it acts as a head board for the gaucho. Attachment 75035

Attachment 75036

Klatawa- does the door slide back into a pocket? That is a good detail as well. Also- do you have a source for your door track? Did you custom make the door panels or did they come like that stock?

[juel]

We replaced the door in our Argosy with a stock accordian door from Lowes by just cutting it to fit and using the old hardware to hang it. It's a little tricky, but you just keep adjusting until you get it. Remember that if you are using carpet runners on a wood floor, cut it so it clears the runner. Don't ask how I know this!

[Klatawa]

Modarch- The first door is fixed the next two doors have a wood flange on the back to catch each other when pulling them out or pushing them in. These are custom doors, I plane all of my material down to the thickness that I want. The slider unit is a commercial 48" unit that I cut down to size and fastend into the place that the original curtain was and made a front valance to cover the slide.

[DEITZ645]

Klatawa,
That interior is absolutely beautiful!!! Nice work. Can we see what the outside of the trailer looks like??? I am sure it is just as nice as the inside.

I am trying to talk the Mrs. into a vintage unit, but she hates the old interiors. I bet I coult talk her into a vintage unit if I could find one like yours. I would like to attempt a remodel of a vintage unit, but with work and other commitments it would turn into a never ending project.

The other accordian doors are also inspired solutions.

[Distantdrummer]

Wow some of you guys are so talented.

Jim Foster that is a real neat eyecatching creation.Wish you could post more pix. Closer up of fabric and also with door folded open etc.
Is the material upholstery weight? Would starching and pressing first make any difference or improvement in some fabrics?
Is there any need or advantage to sew in some weights at the bottom?
Are you the sewer or the wife?

Klatawa I had already saved pix of your interior this morning and am glad I opened this thread to learn more.
Beautiful work. When I first saw the pix float by above the portal I figured it was the newest 2009 model. I was staggered when I saw it was a 63 Safari custom job.
What is the "glass" in the doors?
If plastic is it cut from light diffuser screens? You know those drop in covers for flourescent fixtures in commercial settings.
Decorative plastic (maybe plexi) sheets like that were redily available in various textures and colors back in the 70's but are no longer produced that I can find. I think K-Lux was the prevalent brand name back then. Now defunct.