Well now it begins.....trouble

So yesterday we start prepping the Airstream for our weekend jaunt to SE Iowa to see our Edgewood friends.  I got groceries and went to open up the Airstream and the door would NOT unlock. Dave tried numerous times, then panic on my part started to set in. 

So in I run to post an emergency request on Air Forums to see if anyone can give any advice.  Dave calls Ryan at RV Revive and he gives him a few tips.  So while I'm reading on the forums regarding broken door locks, Dave is working with a thin putty knife (per Ryan's suggestion)  to wedge the door open and IT WORKED!!!  Only now what to do as after numerous attempts with me inside and him outside, we could not unlock the door.  It would open from the inside, but from the outside no luck!!  :(

After only about 15 minutes, we had a response to my plea on Air Forums with a recommendation to call a man in California.  Dave made a quick call and after explaining to the lady who answered the phone what our predicament was exactly, she put Dave through to Andy.  He told Dave if he could get the lock and handle mechanism out of the door and overnight it to him he would get it fixed and sent back to us before we leave on 3 June.

Dave's outside struggling with the door when none other than my Manager, World Wide Customer Support, rides by on his bike (he lives two streets over from us, but we have lived here for 5 years and this was the first time we have seen him); he stops and asks Dave how our first 1/2 day of retirement is going and Dave proceeds to tell him what is happening with the door and show him the problem. John looked at the lock for about 3 seconds and leaned over and unscrewed a latching mechanism and immediately the handle came out!!!  And off John rode remaking that is what Product Support is all about!!!  :) 

Now you need to remember, our Airstream is 40 years old, so this is a really old door handle and lock and from what I have been reading on the forums, that when the lock breaks, you pretty much have to replace the whole thing!  We have had this trailer for 12 years and this is the first time we couldn't get in, so we are guessing the whole thing will need to be replaced, not just fixed.   Ouch, assuming about $500.  

We packaged it up and shipped it off by Fed Ex air express to arrive in California by 10:30 a.m. Friday morning (today).  Now I call Inland RV Center to thank them for taking our call and to alert them that the lock was on the way. The same Lady answered the phone and I explained the situation again and asked her if I could talk to Andy the "Service Manager", she responded with shock in her voice, "Ma'am that is the owner of the company, NOT the service manager.  Now on Air Forums, we weren't told who he was only that he had lots of knowledge of Airstreams and has made hundreds of posts regarding them and trouble shooting.  No wonder she was reluctant to put Dave through when he called the first time!!!!

So if you have RV trouble, particularly with an Airstream and you are in California, go to Inland RV Center in Corona, CA.  They, like my Manager, live Product Support.

Now to figure out how to keep the door closed while we travel to SE IA!!  Another day begins and I'm sure a new adventure.   More later!!

Candy