Major Water Leak

[fmacmaster]

Picked up our shinny new 20ft Flying Cloud about 2 weeks ago took it out the following weekend to try everything out, all seemed good except for a couple minor issues. Took it out again this past weekend to the Idaho Unit Rally. On Saturday later in the day after returning from some rally events we kept hearing a fate hissing sound every so often over the next couple of hours didn’t think much of it because the people next to us where cleaning there trailer. Went outside for about 10-15 minutes to setup grill for dinner, went back inside and that’s when I noticed all the rugs where soaked and then that fate hissing noise suddenly became a very loud hissing noise and water was flowing about an inch our more deep on the trailer floor, ran out to the other side of our trailer to shut off the city water. Water was flowing from the underside of our trailer as if a garden hose where turned on. That side of the trailer was very wet and muddy so this had to be leaking for a while. By the way Yes I did have a Water Regulator attached to the hose. This can’t be good. Brand New 2 week old trailer and this happens. My biggest concern is this. Trailer is under warranty, but with water damage such as this that is more than likely under the flooring and who knows where else. How much work would or should we expect from Airstream? With it being fall and the season getting damp could there be a problem with mold down the road? Anyone ever run to anything like this? How did Airstream resolve this? Did they have to remove all the flooring/gut the inside? Did they just replace the trailer? Any advice? This really sucks!!

[Molsign]

Hi Franc,

I would get the trailer back to the Dealer as soon as possible and if they aren't prepared to perform whatever remedial is required then get an extension to the Warranty, nothing worse than water soaking the underbody.

God luck and hope all is resolved amicably.

Best wishes,

Steve

[nesvt]

Sounds like a good suggestion to get it back to the dealer. Hopefully they aren't too far away.

I'm a little jaded about this exact issue. Most seem to have very positive results in getting these type of problems resolved. I have not. I hope you're in the successful group.

We got our new trailer a year ago. It leaks. For the first attempt, the service center ran the furnace on high for a couple of days to dry out the floor and walls. I filled the propane tanks again on my next trip. Was told they didn't see any mold. They caulked where the leak was suspected....twice. We removed all of the dinette cushions after the two day trip to/from the service center, dried them in the sun, and washed all the covers. I'm going to try some oxi-clean or something to work on the wall stains (we have "mouse fur").
Unfortunately it started leaking at the other end. Went to a different service center. Just picked it up. Because of the distance, I stayed at a campground. Not sure I want to go home. My wife is going to kill me. It is now leaking on the other side; the first leak area. Cushions and walls are wet again. I need to contact Airstream again. Trying to work some overtime to get some extra funds to cover all the travel expenses to/from the service centers. There is good news. I didn't waste time trying to clean the stains on the walls. I would have had to do it again.

Like I said, I'm a bit jaded. Hopefully your issue will be resolved quickly and thoroughly.

[Splitrock]

So it's a plumbing leak? Or a rain leak?

[dkottum]

I think this could happen if one connected the city water line to the black tank flush connection located just above the city water hookup, a similar sound and the black tank would overflow when full (18 gallons on a 20' trailer). The bathroom sink and the toilet use the black tank. Something to watch for.

doug k

[nesvt]

Doug's reply makes a lot of sense. The noise and the large amount of water all seem to fit the scenario.

I apologize for my whining and ramblings in the earlier post. Just a bit frustrated.

[knunut]

Best of Luck. Does the 20' have a flush ? Our 2007 has seperate tanks and No Flush .

[fmacmaster]

Thanks Doug, but that was the frist thing I checked. Unless Airstream miss labled the connections. The water was spraying from fitings at the water heater

[fmacmaster]

nesvt, Sounds like you have grounds for the lemon law. The other thing, I’d also be afraid to go home, after all it was I who talked my wife into an Airstream. I guess my question is how did they check for mold? If water gets under the flooring how can they check for mold without pulling up the flooring? Looking at the construction of the interior that would require pulling out cabinets, dinette, etc… Maybe we both got a Friday after Happy Hour trailer!!! Good Luck