Love the vintage.......my 78 frig is still working and not one rivet has come out anywhere. Heck I can't even drill them out. I don't mean to make light of your horrific situation; however, I can't understand why Airstream can't make a really great, long lasting, good from the start trailer again. This old Argosy is still a wonderful piece of American workmanship. He's held together and has been a joy for me and all the previous owners I'm sure. I have to agree that a lawsuit may be the only way to get our old Airstream quality back. Go after their profit margin with a judgement in court.
Your issues have been numerous not to mention the inconveniences. However, I must agree with Andy in a prior post in that there are dealers geared to customer service and those that are not. Additionally, you have techs who take pride in their work and those there for a paycheck. Having been a auto tech and service manager, I've seen both sides - tech and customer. Neither is exactly "always" right. Most common problem is clear communication of issues that are documented on the repair order. There are numerous cases where poor service has cast a false shadow over the product. Has consideration been given to checking with another dealer on your repeat issues? Good luck,
Larry
I just received my trailer back from about three weeks at C & G Trailer.
After going back and forth with Larry Huttle of Airstream, he admitted without admitting that there is a "flaw" in the frame of the 22ft Safari that causes the trailer to flex considerably more than any other trailer they have, with the presumed assumption a percentage of my previous warranty issues were caused by this flexing. So, they sent a kit of steel and C & G installed about 50lbs of fresh steel on the frame supposidly stiffening it.
They also did a list of new warranty issues:
Tail Lights Failed
Aluminum Rubbed Thru Ceiling Carpet Causing Black Dots
Glue Coming Undone on Bathroom Door
And 6 or so small miscelanious issues.
Anyhow, I picked up my trailer Friday, (October 19th) and headed straight out of town to meet my wife in Joshua Tree for her birthday camping trip.
Half way out I stopped and Jack in the Box for some lunch. When walking past the back of my trailer I noticed three new dents in the back of my trailer. One of the the size of someone slamming a baseball bat into the back top corner (next to the A in Airstream above the back window)
The three dents were in three different panels. I called Rod at C & G immediately after words. He was very unresponsive saying "I didn't cause that" My trailer had one small dent when it arrived at C & G, the same one it's had since I took delivery of my trailer, its a 4" or so dent near the rivet line, curb side right next to the light.
It's basically about $5000 worth of damage that happened while it was in his possesion and he is taking no responsablitly for it at this time. He says that I can come to his shop, and if I can find the object that he or his employees hit while backing it in, he'll take care of it. But truthfully his attitude was very poor regarding it. He was so adimant about not causing it and was insinuating I caused it and was blaming him. Why would I do that when my insurance company will cover all the repairs with a couple hundred dollar deductable.
He also tried teling me there were no dents when it left as he would of noticed them when I was pulling out as he was checking my lights for functionality, but the problem with that is I didn't go in reverse one time from when I picked it up until when I saw the dents in front of Jack in the Box so it would of been impossible for me to put those in the trailer after I picked it up. Also, if he were observing the aluminum he for sure would of seen the dent that has always been on the trailer right next to the lights.
I'll update you guys in the future. It seems this guy has a pretty good if not great reputation so I hope we can come to an agreement regarding this.
Also, Airstream has been working with me well. They are trying to come up with a way of resolving all the problems I've been having with some sort of caper. They have been really good thru out this.
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Alan
2005 22ft Safari
2003 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 5.3l
"Life is like a box of chocolates..." Forrest Gump
Half way out I stopped and Jack in the Box for some lunch. When walking past the back of my trailer I noticed three new dents in the back of my trailer. One of the the size of someone slamming a baseball bat into the back top corner (next to the A in Airstream above the back window)
The three dents were in three different panels. I called Rod at C & G immediately after words. He was very unresponsive saying "I didn't cause that" My trailer had one small dent when it arrived at C & G, the same one it's had since I took delivery of my trailer, its a 4" or so dent near the rivet line, curb side right next to the light.
It's basically about $5000 worth of damage that happened while it was in his possesion and he is taking no responsablitly for it at this time. He says that I can come to his shop, and if I can find the object that he or his employees hit while backing it in, he'll take care of it. But truthfully his attitude was very poor regarding it. He was so adimant about not causing it and was insinuating I caused it and was blaming him. Why would I do that when my insurance company will cover all the repairs with a couple hundred dollar deductable.
He also tried teling me there were no dents when it left as he would of noticed them when I was pulling out as he was checking my lights for functionality, but the problem with that is I didn't go in reverse one time from when I picked it up until when I saw the dents in front of Jack in the Box so it would of been impossible for me to put those in the trailer after I picked it up. Also, if he were observing the aluminum he for sure would of seen the dent that has always been on the trailer right next to the lights.
If you did not inspect the trailer before you left, then C&G is off the hook legally. They can be nice but they do not have to. He is offering to try to see if they did something but since you cannot prove it happened there then it is between you and your insurance company.
Sorry.
__________________
Michelle
If you think you are having a bad day go to the hospital and visit the children.
Sarah
Ruby, (05 BMW R1200RT)
Daisy, (06 Turbo Diesel F-250 w/Tow Command, the perfect TV)
Butter Cup, (06 Classic 31 w/dinette, solar)
45,000 miles in two years! http://Michelles-Adventures.US
the only 'weakness I'm aware of in 22s is the obs flooring, although ALL of the modern frames are suspect...
cheers
2air'
2air, can you please elaborate on this a little. What is wrong/different with the newer frames that make them suspect?
Thanks
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"In America, anybody can be president. That's one of the risks you take." - Adlai Stevenson
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"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." - Albert Einstein
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"Ah! bwakawa pouss, pouss" - John Lennon
I go back and forth with it truthfully. I don't fully trust that I'd win so I'm trying other methods of redemption, although I keep the folder and retainer check on my desk. I suppose one day I'll do it.
__________________
Alan
2005 22ft Safari
2003 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 5.3l
"Life is like a box of chocolates..." Forrest Gump
Good luck with the insurance company. Hope you can get your trailer fixed to your satisfaction. If not, trade it in on a good vintage trailer. There are a lot of them.
I have again brought my trailer in for warranty work. It's getting to the point that I should just plan on dropping my trailer off at the dealer after each trip.
Alan-
I wish you all the luck. Our 22" 2005 Safari has had more problems that yours! Do we win anything? In Fact, Tim Maxwell one of AS best field mechanics spent a week here in CT working on our trailer. Then we had it at JC for more repairs. We still have major issues with our trailer such as screws popping, rivits rubbing and ruining our wall rugs, window plastic framing falling apart and so on. Do not expect much in the way of a new trailer, that will never happen. What you can expect is cooperation form JC! Lemon laws differ from state to state and some do not cover trailers at all. The fact that you have lost use of your trailer for 100 days has no bearing on your case. In most states the time lost is per repeatable repair and not a multitude of different types of repair. So maybe there is a reason they no longer make the 22' Safari? But keep in touch with your dealer and JC and they will make all repairs.
Rick
__________________ J. Rick Cipot Sandi Gould NEUNew England Unit Airstream Life Magazine WBCCI #3411 AIR #17099
Airstream Makes Good/I bite my tongue with C & G Trailer
Just to give you guys an update as I'm always excited to complain, I should also share what Airstream has done to be responsible for there product.
After easily getting to speak to the president of Airstream, Bob Wheeler, and going back and forth with him about my complaints and concerns, he passed me on to Larry Huttle to finish handling this. I'm not sure Larrys exact position but I do know he has a secretary (so he must be in upper mgmt)
Larry and I had many good talks. He acknowledged the shortcomings of my trailer and fully understood my concerns. He was the first one who "really got it." Funny enough, after our first talk, I actually liked my trailer again.
Larry handled all the things to stiffen up my frame at C&G Trailer (supposidly the major shortcoming of the trailer as Larry said the back end could flex as much as 3/4 of an inch while travelling) and handled all other issues I had at the time.
Larry also agreed to compensate me for my troubles, a new 100w factory solar system with two new sealed batteries. I asked for the solar system, installed and an extended warranty but got the solar system, uninstalled, which now I think about it is still VERY GOOD and I feel like Airstream has made good for their product. (assuming manufacturing handles it in the future so frames don't need stiffening)
As far as C&G trailers goes... I'm 99% sure the dents happened there, but I'm 100% sure the owner didn't know about it. There reputation is very impressive and I'm no longer going to be upset with a company that has dozens of years of great service. My insurance will cover it, $500 deductible and I will let C&G trailer do the work, but as a new policy for myself there will be a walk-around before and after wherever I take my trailer for service in the future.
Alan
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Alan
2005 22ft Safari
2003 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 5.3l
"Life is like a box of chocolates..." Forrest Gump
It may be a bit unrelated to use my post of "Body Seperation" to indicate what happened to your rig. My trailer is a 1991 and has well over 125,000 miles on it. However if AS admitts the fact that the newer frames flex 3/4in. you can look forward to this problem in much less that 120,000 miles.
You mentioned that the batteries boiled over. This is not a vibration problem but rather the converter is out of regulation and over charging the batteries. I would have that checked before you boil the second set.
I wish I had seen this post 2 days ago when a newbe asked if he should by new.
One other thing I will say is that I sold my Airstream stock last year.
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