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**jcanavera** · 08-07-2013, 08:07 PM

Has anyone purchased the stainless steel water heater and furnace doors that Airstream sells? Any comments regarding their quality or installation? I was thinking about updating my Classic's doors.

Are there any other sources other than Airstream?

Jack

overlander63 · 08-07-2013, 08:10 PM

A fellow forum member has his trailer in for some repairs, and has those on it. I can ask his permission and snap a few photos if you would like, and he doesn't mind.

dkrug · 08-07-2013, 08:13 PM

We purchased from Airstream. We also did the stove vent and outside shower. Huge improvement.We did the installation ourselves. Just finished the outside shower today.
Now, if we could just find a potable water door....

matthorr · 08-07-2013, 08:14 PM

They are an easy install and look great. The furnace cover requires you to install a gasket to seal around the blower fan (just copy where the original has a gasket inside the door). We also had to bend the tabs that hold onto the hinges for the furnace door to get the old one off. You reuse the hardware and vent inserts on both.

dkrug · 08-07-2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthorr

They are an easy install and look great. The furnace cover requires you to install a gasket to seal around the blower fan (just copy where the original has a gasket inside the door). We also had to bend the tabs that hold onto the hinges for the furnace door to get the old one off. You reuse the hardware and vent inserts on both.

Matthorr has a very nice bunch of pictures posted on the outside shower and a description that helped us.

**jcanavera** · 08-07-2013, 08:22 PM

I just had the Classic home this past week and noticed that the stove vent is popping its paint. I didn't realize that it is white painted silver/grey. I might try to paint this though (even though this is available in stainless also). I don't like pulling stuff off that has been water tight. My luck is that I'll start a leak.

Jack

Aviator · 08-08-2013, 05:04 AM

I bought the stove vent and it went on easily. The original plastic one had begun to crack, now I won't have to worry about it again.

rperrym · 08-08-2013, 05:19 AM

Did you have to modify the opening to install the outside shower door?
Did you use a gasket? Someone posted they had to enlarge the opening to install the new shower door.
Thanks,
Rick

Gilmurr · 08-08-2013, 05:35 AM

I have been polishing our Airstream and I tackled the hot water and furnace doors as well. I have some finish work to do but they look great....and less than the cost of the Stainless Steel ones from Airstream. Doing that did justify buying the Range vent from Airstream. Just arrived the other day and easy to install.

dkrug · 08-08-2013, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rperrym

Did you have to modify the opening to install the outside shower door?
Did you use a gasket? Someone posted they had to enlarge the opening to install the new shower door.
Thanks,
Rick

Yes, the opening had to be enlarged a bit and the corners squared up. The new stainless shower came with two gaskets. One for the opening and one for the shower door.

Al - K4GLU · 08-11-2013, 10:11 AM

Here is a link to the Colonial site that shows the Airstream SS accessories installed:

Bike Rack - from Colonial Airstream: Exterior Upgrade & Appearance Package for Airstream International &*Flying Cloud Travel Trailers

For some reason the water heater cover has rivets and the furnace cover doesn't. Gives you a chance to see what both styles look like.

mefly2 · 08-18-2013, 04:41 PM

What I like most about the stainless furnace and water heater doors is the durability in a lower exposed area ... and easy maintenance (scotch-brite pad or WD-40) ... although soft material, the stainless is not as soft as the aluminum.

switz · 08-18-2013, 05:25 PM

The job is not complete until the mud duaber wasp guards are in place:

Mud Dauber Screens to Protect RV Furnaces - PPL Motor Homes

I installed them after the stainless steel doors were in place on the first trailer and will also install them on the new one.

BAB · 08-18-2013, 07:33 PM

I have replaced the furnace, HW heater, stove vent, shower with the SS panels. Such an improvement! Also, used the Furrion chrome units for the two 30 Amp plug-ins and the chrome Furrion CATV unit. The only cheesy plastic left is the water door and the plastic electrical outlet. There are a bunch of us looking to replace those as well!

subfan1 · 02-14-2014, 03:42 PM

For those that installed the ss stove vent, did it come with a gasket and did you seal the edges?

BAB · 02-14-2014, 06:46 PM

Yes it came with a gasket, and yes I sealed it...

subfan1 · 02-14-2014, 07:36 PM

Thank you I'm going to confirm that we have a gasket when we get home after this weekend and then seal it. What sealant is recommended?

BAB · 02-14-2014, 07:42 PM

Gosh, I did this so long ago....think I used either SikaFlex or Parbond....

dznf0g · 02-14-2014, 08:38 PM

I used parbond.

Aage · 02-14-2014, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switz

The job is not complete until the mud duaber wasp guards are in place:

Mud Dauber Screens to Protect RV Furnaces - PPL Motor Homes

I remember seeing a paragraph in the installation manual for my new furnace strongly warning against using those screens. I can't recall if they mentioned why, and of course, the book is well-buried in the trailer, under several feet of snow.

Upon remembering this, I had a closer look at the ad for this that you posted, and I realized that it was not Suburban's suggestion that we buy those screens, but rather PPL's.

I would not use the furnace with them on during the heating season. Suggest checking with Suburban/Atwood if you want more information.