390,396XL owners beware!

[bfred]

There seems to be a windshield problem that keeps popping up that Airstream wants to wash there hands of. It seems that after a few years and miles, that the windshield is separating from the end cap. This is a design error on Airstream or their vendors part, but both parties either deny it or fail to correct their oversight. I have seen four motorhomes with this problem and know their must be several out there awaiting this fate including mine.
Airstream has always treated me well and have taken care of my maintenance problems with prudence. It is my belief that AS has decided to abandon us MH owners in favor of trailer owners only. I feel this is a grave mistake on their part.
I will be filing some paperwork with the NHTSB concerning this problem and ask anyone out there that has a 390 or 396 to do the same

[BAXLEYGROUND]

Could You Explain A Bit More About Windshield & End Cap?

[gotohatteras]

WE had same problem with a National Dolphin motorhome. What you need to do is take it to a windshield shop...they will remove and reinstall, and it won't happen again.

[myfirstrv]

Please explain more, I have a 350, does this apply to me ?

[bfred]

myfirstrv.
As far as I know, this problem does not apply to your 350. Only the fiberglass 390MHs.

[tomk]

my windshield has popped out at the top corner separating from the cap,had a rv shop here in agoura,ca. try to fix.they did a poor job.

[myfirstrv]

bfred,
thanks,
Rob

[fhall9600]

Not all coaches have this problem. Most of the problem can be traced to an IO problem (Idiot Operator {A Joke-don"t take personally} when the coach is jacked up improperly and causing the chassis and bodywork to "twist". The coach has a certain amount of flex in the design and the design causes some problem with all coaches, not matter the manufacture. Try dropping the front corner into a hole behind your favorite truck stop and you will better understand what I am saying. Sometimes we expect too much of a heavy, moving vehicle.

[bfred]

I agree with you to a certain extent, I feel if MH manufactures know this problem exists, a little re-engineering wouldn't hurt.
My glass man tells me the problem exists because they glue the windshield and/or gasket to the body therefor not allowing it to move back and forth.
I have drove large trucks and cranes off road with a lot of twisting and flexing without losing or cracking a windshield. I agree with the Idiot operator theory though as we have seen a lot of dumb things since we have owned our MH.

[myfirstrv]

Is there a proper process to using the leveling Jacks

[DaveFL]

My LY 30 states, front down first then rear, they knew there would be a torqueing affect when jacks are set. Both front can only be set together while the rear each one operates independantly. I hear the body creaking when they are extended letting me know torqueing is going on, drivers door also closes with a different sound when on the jacks.
Would be nice to know what sequence the 390 and 396's are supposed to follow and are the front jacks independant or move together?

[fhall9600]

My HWH levelers have an "extend all jacks" button allowing all jacks to touch without raising the coach. Have all the jacks touching before you raise any corner. The best advice is to pick your site carefully and remember that you are not trying to level the old "Bambi" or your newer 34 foot Limited Trailer. Any site that would cause you to fully extend your jacks should be avoided at all costs. WBCCI Caravan leaders really do not understand that a 40 foot coach is different from a 34 foot trailer when directing campers to a particular site. Stay as level as possible...avoid the obvious!

[bfred]

Very good advice. My levelers work the same way. I put all four down until they touch the ground, then I level with the front,rear,left or right. So far I have had no problems. Most AS caravans are geared for trailers only. We feel like the the red headed stepchild, so we have avoided them, course we don't belong to WBCCI anymore.