We have our Brand New 25' Safari SS for a little over a year now and so far have not encountered any leaks. The only problem are the lights. I don't understand why Airstream would install $5.95 lights in such a expensive trailer. The white covers keep popping out and we wind-up looking for them everytime we move the camper. It doesn't matter if it's hot or cold out side, they still come loose and have to be snapped back in. The dealer even spoke with the Airstream rep. and basically nothing can be done. Does anyone else seem to have this problem?
No, but on the other hand I would at least ask for replacement covers or look at seeing if you can exert any pressure on the mounting that the covers snap into. Have you brought this back to the dealer for correction under the two year warranty?
The other thought might be wheel balance or whether you drive the trailer over rough roads. Anything else popping out of place?
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.
'03 GMC Savana 2500
'08 Vespa GTS 250
Larry, I had a crooked plate on an AC receptacle also. The way electrical parts are made makes it very difficult to mount them in a thin aluminum wall and have them as tight as they are in a house or business. You can usually move the plastic plate straight and try tightening the center screw a little bit. If you tighten them too much, the plate can crack. There are heavy duty plastic plates available in the ivory used by A/S—harder to crack. There are metal plates also, but they are generally stainless steel, not aluminum. Hmmm, maybe I'll look for a plate that matches the aluminum interior next time I go to Lowe's. I hadn't thought of that 'til now.
Good suggestion Gene. I'll need to go there and to Bed, Bath & Beyond to get towel hook/bar. The wife reminds me of everything she sees that's not straight and the lack of and/or poor placement of accessories (example, towel bar in shower). Since bringing the AS home and putting it inside, I've watched the snow fall and accumulate. It enough clearing out a path to get the vehicle out let lone the AS. Plan on addressing issues during the mud season so it wil be ready when things dry up. Thanks,
Larry
Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
Larry, I had a crooked plate on an AC receptacle also. The way electrical parts are made makes it very difficult to mount them in a thin aluminum wall and have them as tight as they are in a house or business. You can usually move the plastic plate straight and try tightening the center screw a little bit. If you tighten them too much, the plate can crack. There are heavy duty plastic plates available in the ivory used by A/S—harder to crack. There are metal plates also, but they are generally stainless steel, not aluminum. Hmmm, maybe I'll look for a plate that matches the aluminum interior next time I go to Lowe's. I hadn't thought of that 'til now.
Gene
__________________
Larry & Sandy
08 Classic 30
05 GMC K2500 Duramax Four Courners Unit
WBCCI # 2460 AIR # 17259
No, nothing else is loose. I did take it to the dealer, they tried to adjust the pressure of the mounting screws to the padded ceiling but that still did not help. Guess I will wait to see if I come across some lights that are better made and replace them myself.....Thanks
ya know.....skylights are standard....NOW.....and they cost 250 if you don't have one? But wait.....you pay more money now because its standard...but they want even more money if its not there? A....HUMM.....I know what they are gonna say. WE NOW HAVE TO MAKE ALTERATIONS...IT COSTS? someone..anyone...stop ME from going to Jackson center. I might say something I will regret.
We had to pay to NOT have 2 skylights installed. I don't get it....you have to pay someone to NOT cut a hole in it? Also had to pay to not have carpet in the LR area. We spend time at the beach and decided to leave out the carpet there since sand, etc., gets tracked in. Crazy!
After getting the aforementioned lack of caulking under the TV antenna strut fixed, we went up to Mendocino for New Years, and discovered a few new drips inside. With the recent major rains here in NorCal, last Saturday I went out to check on the Airstream, only to discover puddles inside. Lots of puddles. The Fantastic Fan in the rear had two small drips down to the floor, but more significantly, there was a huge puddle forward, from the shower to the sides of the beds, and water running down the sides of the trailer from seams in the aluminum. And the mattress was soaked, as was the plywood under the mattress.
Fortunately, the storms broke for a bit, and we drove the trailer the hour to the dealer, and had them park it in a service bay (the compromise that we reached after they had told me over the phone that it would be a week before they could look at it, and I told them that it would be ruined in another day). I heard back from them yesterday, they told me that there were huge gaps (the largest that they've seen) in the caulking for the factory-installed solar panels and both fans.
I'm pretty unimpressed that the trailer could have left Airstream without anyone noticing the lack of caulk...
Hey Ramblin Rose
Sorry to hear about your leak problems. Has the dealer taken care of everything?
WOW...There's no excuse for that kind of lack of quality control! I'm afraid I would be ashamed to try and sell a product with such visable defects.
How can AS, a Mfg that touts a reputatuon for Quality over the years for it's 'Aircraft' style construction, allow this kind of slipshod product to get out of it's plant!
With the rising prices of fuel, all RV associated products are going to feel the 'pinch' from the buying public...and shoddy products will be the first to be weeded out and passed over!
It's almost as if AS is saying to it's prospective buyers...Here it is, take it or leave it...but in tough economic times, this kind of workmanship will come back to haunt AS.
Sure they have an unique product, but that's no excuse to try and force this kind of CRAP on it's customers.
My other concern would be that if you can SEE these defects...what about all the stull behind panels, etc. that may have been finished improperly, bent or whatever that you can't see!
Quality control has to begin with the first weld, screw, rivet, etc...from the ground up.
Once quality is comprimised, it takes years to earn it back...the big three auto makes learned that back in the 50's and 60's...when the foreign Mfg's started selling quality made autos in the US. It's courious that Ford is now advertizing that it's autos are built with better quality than Toyota!
I wouldn't accept a new AS with the rivets as shown in those photos above, no matter how much 'in love' with the rig I might be! A mfg. can't be serious to expect we customers will accept such lack of quality in their product when spending that kind of 'top of the line' money!
If AS expects to present their products as 'top of the line' they had better get their 'quality, job one' hats on straight and fix these kinds of problems BEFORE their new rigs move off the production line!
From being in several business' over the years, it's always been my experience that pride in workmanship begins with the top management and flows down. Cosmetic issues on such a high end product such as an AS rig should be a top priority...design can only carry so much weight in a buying decision...quality has to be built in as well!!!
Hi, 2air's posts and pictures really wake you up to the fact that these trailers can, and will have, problems/defects. To be perfectly honest, I think I was happily blind when I went to pick up our brand new Airstream on September 7th 2004. Luckily we bought a pretty well built trailer with very few defects. But in hind sight, if my trailer had several problems, would I have really noticed them and complained and/or rejected this trailer? Hard to say. Happy to say that our, almost four year old trailer, Looks as-good as-new, inside and out. A few people stated that my trailer looks better and shinier than their newer units. Note: I live fairly close to the Pacific Ocean, my trailer is stored outside, and I have never waxed it.
Quick Links
Over-head light problem?
We have our Brand New 25' Safari SS for a little over a year now and so far have not encountered any leaks. The only problem are the lights. I don't understand why Airstream would install $5.95 lights in such a expensive trailer. The white covers keep popping out and we wind-up looking for them everytime we move the camper. It doesn't matter if it's hot or cold out side, they still come loose and have to be snapped back in. The dealer even spoke with the Airstream rep. and basically nothing can be done. Does anyone else seem to have this problem?
