2016 Raining Fantastic Vent

[Harleydeal]

Was excited to bring my brand new AS Interstate home. First nite rain pouring in around Fantastic vent. Took to non dealer repair shop and watched tech pull Sikaflex sealant off with no effort. Apparently it adhered perfectly to the metal roof but not to the plastic flange of the Fantastic. Not a great first impression.

[73shark]

Welcome to the Airforums.

You might try getting reimbursed by submitting the invoice to your selling dealer because that should be covered under the warranty from Airstream.

[airdreamers]

I thought that Airstream touts the fact that they force water blown on the new airstream to prevent the very leak that is stated here by Harleydeal. I don't think that Harleydeal should just try to get reimbursed he will be. Airstream has a reputation to protect here. I feel sorry for Harleydeal to even deal with this situation. I hate when things like this happen. Good luck Harleydeal.

[Harleydeal]

Thanks for the welcomes! I knew from research that there would be some issues to work out. Just didn't think it would be the first day! Haha.

[73shark]

One thing to consider is did any water get between the outer steel shell and the inner aluminum ceiling.

[Titus]

We had a small drip at our vent. JC did an R&R and this time used a 1/4" foam gasket that they coated on both sides with sikaflex or something. This fixed the leak. I was told that they used only sikaflex back in 2013 when mine was built and the foam was a later improvement. Maybe they have switched back to no foam in 2016 to save a few cents.

[Msmoto]

My question, what did the non-delay repair shop do to fix the leak, did it work, and is it well documented in the paper work?

If you can demonstrate to Airstream at Jackson Center (JC) that to take it to the dealer could have potentially created more damage due to water leaking in while on the trip, then the factory may reimburse you on a one time basis.

[Buzzr]

Another example of poor quality control. I don't know why Airstream can't adopt the QC programs that have resulted in major quality improvements in the car manufacturing area.

[Harleydeal]

Not really concerned with reimbursement, just wanted it remedied quickly. I watched tech that fixed it pull off the Sikaflex sealant that they use with two fingers from the plastic vent flange. There was almost no adhesion. It did adhere to the metal roof very well. Tech told me the only reliable way to fix it is by removing the vent, throwing out the foam gasket that comes with the vent, and replacing it with butyl tape and Dicor self leveling lap sealant. Sounded right to me and have had no leak since.

[dstoner]

Why is airstream having this and other problems (air conditioner story) with their new units? Recently went to an RV show...the handle of the bathroom door came off in my hand....brand new unit...mucho money!! I am beginning to consider another brand and type of rv...maybe a class C motorhome. I recently read (in a local newspaper) that the factory can not make the new units fast enough due to high volume orders.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by dstoner

Why is airstream having this and other problems (air conditioner story) with their new units? Recently went to an RV show...the handle of the bathroom door came off in my hand....brand new unit...mucho money!! I am beginning to consider another brand and type of rv...maybe a class C motorhome. I recently read (in a local newspaper) that the factory can not make the new units fast enough due to high volume orders.

Nothing new about it. Our 2005 Interstate had dozens of such problems. I fixed them all and it was a great van, but it took a lot of work. Current production is simply business as usual for Thor. They own the Airstream brand. Evidently, they believe that that this is an adequate substitute for quality. Judging from their sales figures, they are apparently correct, at least for now.

Don't give up on B-vans. There are great choices out there.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by avanti

Current production is simply business as usual for Thor. They own the Airstream brand. Evidently, they believe that that this is an adequate substitute for quality. Judging from their sales figures, they are apparently correct, at least for now.

Yeah. It's a choice between "We can make it quick and you can have one in four months" or "We can make it good and you can have one in a year… but it will cost even more due to the extra man-hours."

I am so glad I bought mine in December 2011, when they didn't make as many and they took more time on each one. Mine doesn't have some of the bells and whistles of the newer models, but at least on mine most of the things that broke were things that I broke!

[ltorgy]

We just bought our 25' AS a few months ago and we just love it. Having said that, we are a bit disappointed in how Thor is cutting corners. Like the rather inefficient and extremely noisy refrigerator fan, which I quickly replaced with three high efficiency, ultra-quiet fans. And I and considering replacing the converter with a higher quality unit. The refrigerator bulb just burned out and our AS is brand new. However, I am willing to work out the bugs and do my upgrading/fixing since we will one of the nicest trailers in the end. Take a look at my recent upgrade (see pictures). The rear bumper storage compartment was cheap, in my opinion. I removed the spring-loaded things, added Bondo to the holes, gave it a super paint job and added nice locks (and a handle).

[Msmoto]

While we will never see the financial issues from Thor/Airstream regarding production costs, someone has to be deciding that an xx percentage of warranty repairs is less costly to JC than doing it like Lexus did 25 years ago, a zero defect being in place.

And JC has not addressed this to my knowledge.

Having said that, about 20 years ago I purchased a well known sports car for slightly over $100,000. Water leaks in floor, requiring multiple dealer visits, five windshields due to air leaks developing, transmission rebuilt, cell phone purchased back by the factory as it would not work in the U.S. System, rear wheel alignment issues...never fixed, chewed tires to point of leaving black rubber on rear bumper, engine sensors replaced multiple times, in short a full bloom lemon.

Gosh, my Serenity has only one issue that is tough to find that being the water pump cycles apparently due to some pressure loss somewhere and the igniters on my stove have failed. Otherwise, no problems other than some very strange design decisions, especially in the audio/video department....must be designed by a person who reads books in silence😂.....oh what the heck.....we have nice similes on the forum....☕️


Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871