2015 classic bathroom door latch issue

[gwg]

While camping last week our bathroom door latch broke for the second time, the first one broke on the way to Alumapalooza and was replaced. I took the first one apart and a small brass (brass in color at least) piece was broke, when this happens the plunger no longer functions. In turn you have to creativity secure the door during travel and if your modest, compromised.
Same deal this time. The part if manufactured in Italy and the dealer has to order. Major inconvenience.

[Sjcjr]

Sounds like a duct tape moment!

[gwg]

Rubber Duck shoes push under the door...worked for 600 miles.

[Sjcjr]

The QC issues across the board must be addressed by airstream. This, particularly so given the msrp on the classic.

[BAB]

I actually carried the right size allen wrench IN my Classic until I got the handle adjusted. Part of my process included completely removing the mechanism from the door and mortising both the striker and the handle mechanism into the door. Obviously, this took some careful work with a chisel, but IMHO, not having a mortised locking system looked cheesy and made the door difficult to close. After carefully looking at the setup I found that the factory had installed the square activating arm upside down -- which kept the allen screw from seating properly. After about 3,000 miles with these adjustments, it stays where it's supposed to -- and the door closes easily -- and quietly.

[EarlM]

When this happened to me we used the removable Velcro used to hang pictures that removes without damage put a piece inside the frame and another piece on the door about 3 inches long- 3 M makes it worked great for 750 miles I called Jackson Center and they mailed one directly to me

service at it finest

Earl

[dstoner]

This does not surprise me. The same thing happened to me at an RV show..I walked thru a new AS, went to inspect bathroom and the door handle came off in my hand. Went outside to report it to the airstream rep. She did not say one word to me...probably because several other potential buyers saw it happen. What is happening to the AS "best made trailer in American?"

[gwg]

Just to be clear, the latching mechanism ie; plunger internals broke. The door handle is an easy fix. Agreed that has also fallen off but easy to put back on. Unless you're inside )

[switz]

Our 2015 International Serenity 23D trailer was built at the end of September 2014. It arrived at the dealer 7 October 2014. We took delivery 17 July 2015.

For one of the issues, the factory installed the two round rubber bumper cushions (little cylinders of rubber pushed into holes on the latch mechanism) for when the door closes against the jam on the wrong side of the lock. (Granted there were two holes on both sides of the lock, but when open, the door stops against the mattress about a foot lower than the door handle).

So there seems to be QC issue with bathroom door handles across the product line.

All of the issues I discovered spending the first night on the dealer's lot should have been addressed if a comprehensive PDI was done. They even should have repaired the extremely poor installation of the shower entrance trim with a ⅜" gap for water to run down and under the shower flooring.

[lindaebrewer]

The bathroom door latch on our brand new 2015 FC 23' does not retract all the way. It catches badly enough that we have pushed it in & duct taped it. At least we won't be "locked" in the bathroom, but this is not a "solution." How can AS have so many problems on a simple item?

[Gnorts]

Originally Posted by lindaebrewer

The bathroom door latch on our brand new 2015 FC 23' does not retract all the way. It catches badly enough that we have pushed it in & duct taped it. At least we won't be "locked" in the bathroom, but this is not a "solution." How can AS have so many problems on a simple item?

Because they bought 500 of those simple items, and by golly, they're gonna use 'em up.

[switz]

Perhaps we sometimes forget that the Airstream parts are sourced from the lowest bidder.

With an annual production run recently of about 2500 units with about a dozen floor plans with several trim lines per floor plan, there are not a lot of common shared parts other than GoodYear ST tires, cheap plastic latches and the sewer tube under the frame. The parts are probably not discounted to the extent found in the car industry.

Many of the larger ticket item vendors (like Dometic) rebrand their Chinese made products and make substantial profits. The ability to repair their air conditioner compressor sealed system is gone. Buy a new one when it fails.

The time and skill required to install brass catches might add a hundred dollars of cost at the factory. What is ironic that at retail in small quantities, the brass catches are less than half the price that Airstream sells the replacement plastic ones for at their dealers.

The list price of these units is typically discounted close to 20% for many customers at every dealership. One would think that there still has to be close to 20% left for the dealership to have a building, staff and parts. I am sure that the largest three dealerships get a bigger discount due to sales volume.

So perhaps we get what we pay for... A new Classic lists for more than a new small home where it all had to be done properly or the builder fades away.

[Sid Arthur]

when ours broke, I called Airstream HQ support. They sent a new one. Got it in 5 days. No charge

[caseywsj]

My bathroom door latch broke on the last trip … curious how to take it off. Was looking for a set screw, but just found a little plastic piece at bottom of the ring. Battery disconnected, so need to bring some more light out next time.