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AirMiles · 02-18-2020, 01:18 PM

We purchased an "untitled" 2018 27' Airstream Globetrotter last fall and have towed it for about 5,000 miles. Then it was stored since mid-November in Florida. On our first trip since, now mid-February, we had the front of one of the kitchen overhead cabinets come unglued. It didn't fall completely off, but one side came unglued and it would have fallen off if I had not decided to just pull it off. To my surprise, the overhead cupboard doors are just glued on. There are no screws, rivets, fasteners, just a couple of strips of glue. See pictures.

My Airstream is under warranty, but I usually fix what breaks by trying to improve on the installation. So my solution to fix this issue is to use 3M 4950 VHB Tape. I have successfully used this 3M 4950 VHB tape to attach solar panels to the roofs on two Airstreams. I figure if a few inches of this tape is good enough to hold a solar panel on the roof of an Airstream at Interstate-highway speeds in gail-force winds, it should be able to hold a cupboard door in place inside the Airstream.

The first thing I did before pulling off the cupboard door was draw a line around where it was mounted with a pencil, so I knew where to reattach the door. I then put the VHB tape under the entire mounting location and stuck it on based on the pencil outline. We shall see if this works. My next planned trip is in mid-May when I will be returning to JC with my warranty repair list. If the cupboard door falls off on the way there, it will be added to the list. If not, I will post that the 3M VHB tape is an improvement.

My initial feeling is that this is going to work. The door is being held solidly in place. Its a much more solid attachment than the glue. I checked all my overhead cabinet doors and the glue is loose on all of them. I don't think I will rip them all off unless they start coming unglued, but I will have extra 3M 4950 VHB Tape in my toolbox if needed.

Please share if you've had this happen and what you did to fix it.

GettinAway · 02-21-2020, 06:23 AM

Just looked at the cabinet door over the sink in our 2020. It looks like they are staying with the glue technique for attaching the doors. I’ve never used the 3M tape you referenced. It must be pretty strong stuff to hold solar panels on.
I wish my GT would have had the solar install option, with the monitor and controller inside.
That’s why I think I’m just going to look at the suitcase solar and keep it simple.

link2dks · 02-22-2020, 01:30 PM

Sounds like I better buy an extra roll of VHB for the tool box.

Dave S

AirMiles · 02-25-2020, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by link2dks

Sounds like I better buy an extra roll of VHB for the tool box.

Dave S

And draw a pencil line around all the mounting locations now so you know where to reattach the doors when they fall off.

I've been back to my Airstream, in storage, under the hot Florida sun, and the VHB reattached panel is still stuck on well. I used two other cheaper double sided tapes before the VHB tape and both failed within 24 hours under the hot sun. One was that very sticky grey 3M tape which just melted and stretched like bubble gum. The other was a cheap foam centered tape, similar to VHB tape, but the foam center peeled apart. The 3M 4950 VHB tape has not displayed any of these negative characteristics of the other two failures.

link2dks · 02-25-2020, 08:49 AM

AirMiles

Glad to hear the doors are holding. I recently put a 3rd solar panel on my roof with 3M VHB 5952 (same adhesive and thickness as VHB 4950 but more conformable foam.)

VHB tape needs 72 hours for a full cure, for more info on surface prep for different substrates see the link below.

Don't leave home without it!

https://tinyurl.com/ucxqgm4

Dave S

GettinAway · 02-26-2020, 06:47 AM

Just amazing that a solar panel will stay on the roof of an AS going down the highway, being passed by semi’s on a windy day, can be held on with nothing but double stick tape on four small mounting brackets. It is obviously way better than drilling a bunch of holes in the roof.

dhroberts · 02-26-2020, 08:51 AM

The 3M 4950 VHB tape is outstanding - I have learned to always keep a roll in our rig. We had our lavatory mirror fall off the wall while in transit - crazy - rig was still in warranty at the time, however, like AirMiles above, I prefer to make some repairs by myself to ensure an effective fix.

AirMiles · 03-21-2020, 02:12 PM

Well the 3M 4950 VHB tape was a fail. I went to the Airstream today and the cabinet door was loose again. The VHB tape had stretched about an inch. Next attempt will be Liquid Nails Fuze It. This construction glue has great ratings. I will let you know if this works.

link2dks · 03-22-2020, 01:23 PM

Sorry to hear about the VHB fail. Good luck with the Liquid Nails.

Let us know how that works.

Dave S

AirMiles · 04-23-2020, 12:22 PM

Update on Liquid Nails Fuze It:

So far so good on Fuze It. I glued it, let it sit for a week or two clamped. And its been holding for six days of use with not loosening. I haven't exposed it to extreme heat yet, but that will happen soon here in Florida. If its still holding the next time I go to my Airstream in storage, it will pass the heat test. I will keep you updated.

**Hans627** · 04-23-2020, 02:25 PM

Since I have a 2018 GT I'm interested in the results of your fix. So I'm tagging along for my education.

Thanks for posting.

AirMiles · 05-13-2020, 02:31 PM

Update on Liquid Nails Fuze-It:

Today I got to check on the upper cabinet door that I repaired with Liquid Nails Fuze-It and it was still firmly in place! It has passed the extreme heat test in Florida. If anything changes, I will update this thread. It appears that I found the adhesive that works to hold the door in place.

GettinAway · 05-14-2020, 05:21 AM

Good news AM. Liquid nails gets it done. Thanks for the update..

Suza · 06-01-2020, 01:26 PM

Oh, no! Another con for my GT choice matrix! Other GT owners: is this problem prevalent? Has AS corrected the issue in newer models?

GettinAway · 06-03-2020, 05:42 AM

So far, this is the only one I’ve seen reported.

226TuckL · 06-08-2020, 02:33 PM

We have a 2020 globetrotter 23’...Our hinges pulled off the overhead doors also. We tried reattaching it with construction adhesive… But it didn’t work. However we only left it clamped for 24 hours… Perhaps it needs a longer time to adhere. Will try it. Simultaneously took pictures and sent to the dealer and waiting to hear back from them.

Suza · 06-10-2020, 08:03 AM

If I was to buy an AS now, I think I'd be looking for an older model. Sad to see this happening.

GettinAway · 06-11-2020, 06:03 AM

. I’m getting so much better at not responding to posts that confuse me. I don’t comment on AS quality, TV, tire, hitch, Covid, or FB vs RB threads any more either. Makes life more peaceful.

**Hans627** · 06-12-2020, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 226TuckL

We have a 2020 globetrotter 23’...Our hinges pulled off the overhead doors also. We tried reattaching it with construction adhesive… But it didn’t work. However we only left it clamped for 24 hours… Perhaps it needs a longer time to adhere. Will try it. Simultaneously took pictures and sent to the dealer and waiting to hear back from them.

Since you have a 3 year warranty you could bypass the dealer and call AS directly. Send them the pictures and they may resolve the issue quicker. I've done that with a few items.

AirMiles · 07-06-2020, 02:32 PM

Mid-season update - Liquid Nails Fuze-It is the solution for repairing Globetrotter cabinet doors that come unglued. I have used my Globetrotter for five weeks and traveled over 7,000 miles since gluing the cabinet door with Fuze-It and it is still firmly connected. The door has survived the 100+ degree heat of Florida sitting in storage and the cabinet door is still firmly connected. I recommend taking a pencil and outlining the plywood piece connected to the hinges so you know exactly where to reattach the doors if they ever get loose. I've outlined all of my connecting points. Problem solved!