The Silver Streak E-mail ListArchive Files[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] RE: [SilverStreak] Hinge drama
Curtis, I wish it were as simple as having the hinges "recast" Apparently the type of casting that was used originally required a VERY EXPENSIVE master mold. Several people on the list approached various companies that do "Casting". From what I understand none of the simple castings were satisfactory and the proper "mold" and casting method would be prohibitively expensive, unless a very large number of hinges were ordered to spread the cost of the mold out. I and several others have approached sheet metal fabrication shops about having a set of hinges made. None of the shops approached were willing to tackle the job. My guess is that any Silver Streak with the pot metal hinges has had the hinges replaced at least once, and perhaps have had many hinge replacements over the past 20-35 years. My 26 foot 1972 Cont. show signs of at least 5 hinge replacements. Apparently the original hinges were the small footprint style. There has been a 1/8" thick by 1 Foot Square aluminum plate riveted to the side of the trailer where the door handle hit's it when open. The trailer wall is so full of holes, that I placed a 1/4" by 4" Stainless Steel bolt through the top and bottom of both hinges. The bolts come through approximately 3 inches of wood, into the sliding panel cabinets so are not visible inside the trailer. I also had the new Stainless Steel hinges made about 1/4" oversize to cover up the damage from numerous hinge failures and replacements. About a year ago, up in the Sacramento area, I talked to the owners of a Mid 1970's 30' Silver Streak they had obtained from his parents, who were the original owners. I asked them about the hinge problem as mine were quite worn. From what he remembered, his parents changed out the hinges twice in the first 12-15 years of fairly heavy family usage. When they heard that Silver Streak would be shutting down production, they bought two sets of hinges. The current owner had installed the last set of those hinges right after he bought the trailer from his parents about 4 years ago. He noted that after 3 years of frequent usage, he had noticeable wear, his door had dropped down about 1/8" or more and one of the outer door loops had broken away from the hinge base. After my hinges failed and the door fell off on a trip, I made a very strong effort to find a shop that would be willing to at least attempt to fabricate a set of hinges. I had purchased a set of New OEM hinges on Ebay for $450 + Freight, but saved them for patterns, as I did not believe they would last, and there were no more new hinges available at any price. I finally found a small shop that specializes in "Tig" welding, that was willing to make up a set of hinges. I had the hinges made slightly oversize because of all holes and damage to the trailer body and doors from the many sets of previous hinges. The shop has plenty of business, and because it took 6+ hours to make up my hinges, they are not really interested in going into the hinge business. They will make up more sets of hinges for me, but only if I pay for them in advance, and give them time to fit into their schedule. My cost for the new Stainless Steel hinges was $540.00 and I provided the materials, so there was no State Sales Tax, and the cost for those materials is in the $540.00. Regards, Ralph
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