Rivets

[Dwain]

I saw a guy on Youtube with 25,000 miles on a Sport 22. Either he was really rough on it, or there is a quality issue. Quite a few rivets popped out. I am still exploring Airstreams, and was wondering if this is typical? If so, expensive to repair?
Thanks!
Dwain

[overlander63]

It's impossible to say without knowing more. Rivets will come out if the tow vehicle has very stiff suspension, if the WD bars are too stiff, if he traveled on some very rough roads, what he carried in the trailer, etc, etc.

[SeaLevel]

I've had 2 interior rivets come out in 3.5 years. Likely when we traveled on some rough roads. Very easy and inexpensive to fix if you have a rivet gun and the right sized aluminum rivets.

[pmclemore]

Get some 1/8" aluminum pop rivets and a good rivet gun. Have fun. Be sure to maintain a firm grip on the gun on the last squeeze - the gun will try to jump sideways. The guys at Airstream told me that it is not unusual for rivets to fall out early in the rig's life; the good news is that they rarely need to be replaced again.

Pat

[Msherw]

I have replaced 6-9 interior rivets using the Alcoa tool and rivets from Airstreamlife.com. It is easy.

Why do they pop out? Why does it rain when clouds show up? It happens when the frame torques a little. Why does the frame torque? Mmmm...not sure anyone can answer that definitively.

It is a minor issue (interior rivet replacement) and should not deter anyone.

[Dwain]

Thanks for responding everyone.
Dwain