2003 quality issues have been mentioned here a few times... and I happen to own one. The problems are generally minor and more annoying than anything else. When the snow melts and it is safe to tow I am taking mine to Jackson Center for repairs, as the local dealer was inept. Here are some photos of problems with my unit...
This first one is under the dinette, showing exposed wiring due to an improperly cut or installed trim panel:
This one shows the front left window, which will not close completely from the inside. Pushing on the outside while turning the crank inside will close it. The frame does not fit properly.
This one shows the clearcoat peeling along a seam in the upper left front of the trailer. Peeling clearcoat is a problem in several areas in the front of the trailer. Some along seams, others where a bug splat has hit.
Here is a wheel that is experiencing filliform corrosion - looks like worm tracks under the clearcoat, especially around the hub and lug nuts. All 4 wheels have this problem.
For reference, I purchased the trailer new in 12/2002 from an authorized dealer near Tampa FL. The dealership is east of Tampa and quite a distance from the Gulf, so I don't think salt spray while it was on the lot should have been a major factor(?). I immediately towed the unit to northern WI where it was stored outside until October. Since then it has been stored indoors. It has been Walbernized twice. It has only been used three times in our first year (due to cranky teenage kids, but eventually they will move on!):
- trip home from Florida
- a long weekend trip to northern Minnesota
- a one week trip to Yellowstone
I have high hopes that Jackson Center will be able to fix the problems and we will be okay going forward.
The purpose of this post is to document the problems so others might actually see the quality issues that have been mentioned, and look for them on their own units. If others have similar problems - feel free to add you own photos to this thread.
dmac
Well join the club. Our 03 AS has many of the same problems. Most I fixed myself but the wheel rim problem and the Airstream logo has the same exact problem. Let us know how Jackson Center handles it.
Hi dmac,
I'm glad you created this post. I also have some minor problems, have also taken only a few trips, and I have no respect or use for the dealer the trailer came from. Airstream has been understanding and helpful, they are willing to send replacement parts, I wish I lived closer to Jackson Center.
Hope you get your trailer repaired to your satisfaction.
By the way, I visited the Bates dealership 2 years ago, and when I asked one of their salesmen (who happened to be wearing a heavy gold chain, bracelet and other flashy jewelry) about a new 30' Classic Ltd, he looked at me and my wife and said "Are you sure you can afford it?"
To which I replied, "Where I come from we don't wear all our assets around our neck." My wife and I are still mad about that visit, and I'll never go back there again.
I am sure that Jackson Center will take care of you. Of all you have posted, the only thing I have not yet seen yet and am most concerned about it the peeling "clearcoat".
In reality, that is plasticcoat and it is done at Aloca, the alum manuf. The clearcoat peeling was suppose to be done by about the 1999 model year.
It's been my understanding that the alum is actually coated with plastic at the Aloca factory and is not really clearcoat. What you have there looks like the plastic seperating from the alum.
Like I said, Airstream won't leave you hanging, but if what I think will be involoved, is involved, they may have to replace panels. I don't think the proper fix is a strip and recoat, but don't quote me on that.
BTW Dan.... what have you been waxing the exterior with? Just a hunch here, but I had an '03 and for all it's faults, the exterior shell was one of the things that I found near flawless.
I have Walbernized the entire trailer twice, and the front of it about 4 times. No car wax has been used on the trailer.
Jim at Airstream has been helpful on the phone and through email. I will bring the trailer to Jackson Center in the spring to effect repairs. I believe the fix will be to strip the affected panels and spray them with some other clear product (I don't know what).
The FL dealer was a joke - but they did have great pricing!
The local dealer in Minnesota was able to fix the improperly installed pantry, but nothing else.
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