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Old 08-16-2014, 12:03 PM   #2021
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Corrosion problems with new Airstreams

Again, CorrosionX is very toxic. Take care when using.
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Old 08-16-2014, 12:19 PM   #2022
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Airstream.com sells the vent in stainless. They look great. If you get one make sure that the fan stream is strong enough to open the flap. I had two that were warped and would hardly open.
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Old 08-16-2014, 12:38 PM   #2023
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Yep.
Make it with the cheapest junk available and make the better stuff optional/extra cost.
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Old 08-16-2014, 07:03 PM   #2024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by interstateflyer View Post
Airstream.com sells the vent in stainless. They look great. If you get one make sure that the fan stream is strong enough to open the flap. I had two that were warped and would hardly open.
Looks pretty good M.hony. Yes it costs over $100, but so does a tank of diesel. And, there is no problem with the fan stream being strong enough. I painted the water heater and furnace doors to match the skin closely. The outside shower is cheap plastic also, but paints up pretty nice too.

And guys about the corrosion issues, taking Airstream to court, etc. I've flown aluminum airplanes most my life--near saltwater. Fun time away from work was spent on offshore fishing boats in salt water, with aluminum fixtures attached all over. You just have to maintain and enjoy. You can enjoy without maintaining, but things will get ugly and, if you ignore maintaining long enough, stuff will start to fall apart. Corrosion X, clear coat touch up and a good coat of polish each year will keep the enjoyment going. But then, that's me and I like working on the Stream when home.
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Old 08-16-2014, 07:08 PM   #2025
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You can buy stainless water heater and furnace covers, too.
You can also replace the white flaky painted boxes for the curb side storage and the city water access with stainless steel boxes.
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Old 08-16-2014, 07:11 PM   #2026
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The cover for the potable water fill and outside receptacle are already silver/gray, as are the furnace and water heater covers.
The refrigerator upper and lower vent covers are stainless.
The Interstates have the same refrigerator roof vent as the trailers.
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Old 08-17-2014, 12:08 AM   #2027
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How 'bout the standard white range vent cover painted silver?
The paint is peeling in just under 2 years of ownership.
Attachment 219135
It costs 2, 3, or 4 times what an sob costs, but is only marginally better.
Reality bites...
Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
Why can't they source s silver/gray one or make one from stainless steel or aluminum?
Why should the owner of a hundred thousand dollar trailer have to paint a cheesy plastic piece of crap?
Hi, My stove vent is silver or grey plastic, not painted; Same as my fresh water fill door.
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Old 08-17-2014, 12:11 AM   #2028
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You can buy stainless water heater and furnace covers, too.
You can also replace the white flaky painted boxes for the curb side storage and the city water access with stainless steel boxes.
Hi, I don't like the square corners on the stainless parts, so I will have mine painted silver.
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Old 08-17-2014, 05:01 AM   #2029
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Hi, My stove vent is silver or grey plastic, not painted; Same as my fresh water fill door.

Lucky you.
Yours will never look like this:
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Old 08-17-2014, 05:14 AM   #2030
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That's devastating to think that little piece of plastic can cause so much grief! And I bet if you ever camp you will never know its there. Lighten up or sell. Just my opinion. Jim
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Old 08-17-2014, 06:39 AM   #2031
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It's not just that little piece of plastic.
It's that and the other 30 or 40 substandard, poor build quality issues on this 90+ k hunk of junk.
I'm sorry to offend you by expecting more for my money. If the automakers made cars this way they'd be up to their ears in lawsuits and recalls.
I just expect a little more for my hard earned dollar.
I still camp in it every weekend, but I refuse to pretend it has no problems or quality control issues and sweep them under the rug.Click image for larger version

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This panel is not level/square. Nothing in this trailer is.
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The cook top is sinking/sagging.
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The clamp wheels don't line up.
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The stabilizer crank fell apart.
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This little plastic thing won't stay on the cooling fin where it belongs.
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This little fuzzy thing is coming unglued.
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Several light covers are cracked.
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This ugly, cheesy wallpaper border is bubbling up.
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The wallpaper is bubbling where it meets the counter.
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The drawers come open while traveling.
I just expected better quality.
This is the most expensive thing I have ever bought and it has more problems than anything I've ever bought except a less expensive dob travel trailer.
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Old 08-17-2014, 07:14 AM   #2032
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I live in Florida. Yesterday, I went to a pool party at a 1940's bungalow. The aluminum patio cage barely had any corrosion. I did see a few marks, all smaller than a dime. But that was from the 40s. I walked over to my aunts house and her aluminum cage is from the 90s and looked perfect. So my question is ... Why?
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Old 08-17-2014, 07:44 AM   #2033
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Aren't you talking about anodized aluminum there? Totally different animal. Hardware on our ZipDee's is anodized.
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Old 08-17-2014, 08:25 AM   #2034
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M.hony was spot on in his observations that an AS costing three times the price of a SOB should have a better level of quality. I've turned my Safari 25 FB into a guest house. Exactly a year ago, I purchased a Leisure Van Unity that has zero defects. Interestingly enough, I had the opportunity of comparing the Unity side by side with an AS Interstate. No comparison, especially when the Interstate was $25K more than the unity. BTW, there is a six month waiting period to buy a Unity.

In addition to quality issues, it is extremely difficult to get an RV repair facility to work on an AS. If Thor was serious about QC, they would set up some sort authorized repair service that wasn't necessarily tied in with a dealership.

Here's picture of my first and last Airstream now relegated to guest house duties.
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Old 08-17-2014, 08:29 AM   #2035
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I replaced the water fill door with an Aierstream stainless unit that has a unique key, not the common key of every brand of trailer for that door. The 2014 models have that common key on all the hatch latches, but I was able to get them re-keyed to match the pickup cover door key.

After all, nothing of value is every carried in the outside compartments, except maybe a 50' 50amp power cord....

Post 2031 above first photo shows the aluminum side splash beside the stove. Mine came unstuck and slid half way down the wall - only two short pieces of double sided tape held it in place. The hot temps in AZ caused the tape to fail. Wonder where more of that stuff was used?
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Old 08-17-2014, 09:15 AM   #2036
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Hi from AZ. . . When I bought my 1st AS, '05 Safari, I was particularly annoyed by the poor quality mattresses provided & the very thin, unlined curtains/drapes. I had no major problems. So I bought what I wanted in mattresses & drapes, with a black-out insert, & went on. And yes, I am a little annoyed by having to pay several hundred dollars for all those S.S. upgrades for my FC 28. BUT, the truth is, I'm not really interested in an SOB of any quality ! I guess I love the IDEA of my Airstream, what it means to me, my background. The reality of sub-standard pieces & plastic parts not withstanding. I'm not going over to the 'white' side It does seem however, that Mr Hony might be happier in some other camper. Regards, Craig
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Old 08-17-2014, 10:06 AM   #2037
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I stand by my comments. I guess misery loves company. Same old story, the same people make the same comments over and over. Give it up or give up your AS! We all know AS have problems so why continually complain. I sold my last AS because of all the little things wrong. But I tend to not dwell on them. Why make bad comments when you may be generalizing or talking about your particular problems. I want to scream each time I here someone complain about how much AS cost. No one forced you to spend your money on an unusually expensive toy. Sell your AS, buy another type of trailer for a lot less money and go on with your life camping. Sorry jim
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Old 08-17-2014, 01:15 PM   #2038
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zigzagguzzi said, "I want to scream each time I here someone complain about how much AS cost. No one forced you to spend your money on an unusually expensive toy."

I find it interesting that someone who no longer owns an AS continues to comment. You've missed the point that there is a quality perception based on the higher price of the AS compared to other brands. Those of us that have noted the poor QC of Airstream products do so in hopes that somebody at Thor gets it.

When I pay a premium price for anything, I expect a certain level of QC that just isn't evident in some late model AS products.

At least I still have my AS and after curing the warts, repurposed it for the use of friends and family.
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Old 08-17-2014, 01:55 PM   #2039
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I am not looking for a toy. I want to join the tiny house movement. That means full timing. I am willing to pay for quality. My research on airstream has killed my original image of them as the highest quailty brand. However, everything is a trade off so we will see. Also, to my earlier comment - I have no idea what type of aluminum florida pool cages are made of just that they don't seem to have any corrosion. That's why I was wondering why AS would? Idk idk
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Old 08-17-2014, 01:57 PM   #2040
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Looked it up a little = If pool cages are anodized, why can't they just anodized airstream? Right?
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