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Old 05-17-2007, 09:39 AM   #15
Aluminut

Silvertwinkie's Avatar
Profile:  2004 25' Safari
Northern Suburbs , Illinois
Posts: 9,080

Thumbs down

Sorry to hear about all the problems you've had with your new unit. I know some things can happen in transit, but I have to say this...given the number of leaks you've had, I question seriously if the factory's leak test is all that great and or if the QC crew is out to lunch. One person on the forums went to see theirs built. On the QC checklist they checked several things on the sheet that the unit either didn't have or wasn't inspected, yet checkmarked "good to go". As an example, the nameplate on the end caps, checkmarked on and straight, yet there was no name lettering on the coach at all................

Mine had a leak too that the current test didn't catch that was caused by the folks on the line not caulking the wheel well.

I myself have been fairly disappointed in both my 2003 and 2004 Airstreams for a number of reasons. I think the comment that was made, dump the current unit and get a vintage makes the most sense to me. At least you know you'll put some work into it and know what to expect. It's just downright shameful what I see happening to your unit and the many other units in the QC threads I've read about.
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Old 05-17-2007, 10:04 AM   #16
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Profile:  1972 23' Safari
Placitas , New Mexico
Posts: 263

My '72 leaked in a couple of places after it was stripped and re-clearcoated because of the heat damage from the fire on the movie set. Oasis who did the strip and re-clearcoat said that they had sealed all the seams but I guess they missed a few places. I was extremely fortunate that Lewster was staying here when it came back and he could re-vulkem the leaky spots. It does take a certain touch. Now, it's tight as a drum. For a situation as bad as the one described I'd guess the rig is probably a lemon.
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Old 05-17-2007, 11:35 AM   #17
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Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
Ottawa , Ontario
Posts: 45

It seems to be leaking from the top of the front window, down through the screen and we had little drops of water hanging from the bottom ledge of the window, one on the left and one on the right. Nice and symetrical.
Oh yeah, and the carpet is wet again.
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Old 05-17-2007, 11:47 AM   #18
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Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
Ottawa , Ontario
Posts: 45

We are just a ten minute drive to the dealer and to pick up our trailer and haul it to there takes maybe forty minutes. They have been really good about all this but the service guy looked very depressed when we turned up there yesterday and told him about the new leak.
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Old 05-17-2007, 11:57 AM   #19
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Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
Ottawa , Ontario
Posts: 45

I'll see if I can dig a picture up and then I'll see if I can put it up. I am a novice with this stuff.
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Old 05-17-2007, 12:04 PM   #20
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Profile:  Toronto , Ontario
Posts: 1

sealing a leaky AS

I saw the interesting response from Arkansa AS on using a special appliance to locate and seal AS leaks. I am still searching for my "perfect" AS. I was not aware until today that AS trailers suffer from leaks also. I just looked at one recently (a 1987) and decided to pass on it after noticing the leaks. My concern based on my previous ownership of two non-AS trailers that developed leaks, is that there is more to fixing a leak than just sealing the leak. In my case, it resulted in floor and wall damage, mold and wet insulation. I replaced all of that and got rid of the mold after airing it out and washing with chlorine. No one has mentioned that as being a part of an AS leak fix/repair? Would the insulation on an AS not get wet and create mould within the two walls?
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Old 05-17-2007, 12:22 PM   #21
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Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
Huntington Beach , California
Posts: 2,137
Images: 2

check solar guard hinge area

Quote:
Originally Posted by Annemac
It seems to be leaking from the top of the front window, down through the screen and we had little drops of water hanging from the bottom ledge of the window, one on the left and one on the right. Nice and symetrical.
Oh yeah, and the carpet is wet again.
Annemac,

We had a similar problem with our 06 Safari 25FB/SE. We have the front pano windows and the leak we had was the middle front window at the curbside of the window at the top which ran down to the bedside table next to the queen bed. We had it repaired at Jackson Center. We were told the problem was the way the front middle solar guard is attached. It was suggested that the screws that hold the top hinge will back out with time thus causing the seal to allow water in through the upper window. Ours did it on one side, maybe your is doing it on both sides.

Hope this helps.

John
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Old 05-17-2007, 12:30 PM   #22
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Profile:  1957 30' Sovereign of the Road
1959 28' Ambassador
1963 24' Tradewind
Plattsburgh , New York
Posts: 21

Our Sealtech machine is priced out using our normal shop rate of $60/hr. Typically it'll take one to two hours to test & mark all of the leaky areas on a trailer. This depends of course on the size of the trailer & the number of leaks. Oddly enough we did a leak test on a 73 Argosy that had a very rotted floor so it obviously had serious leak issues at some point in it's life. The antenna base leaked really badly, but there were only minor leaks elsewhere. The previous owner had repainted the exterior with a brush using very cheesy house paint in order to make it look good on ebay. I'm sure the photos looked reasonably good but it looked horrible up close. I suspect this cheesy paint actually filled in many of the leaks. The problem is, the floor damage was already done & required major work to bring it back to usable road worthy condition. Beware of "Polished Turds" or in this case it was a "Painted Turd".
Colin
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Old 05-17-2007, 12:54 PM   #23
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Profile:  1972 27' Overlander
Monterey Bay , California
Posts: 47
Images: 95

I would say just be patient. Keep the dealer busy and let em fix the whole shootin match. No matter how long it takes. I once owned a new vehicle and was having issues with it's performance. When it was all said and done ,I had taken it into the dealer 27 times. I had all of the service invoices to prove it. So save yours for any issues down the road. I finally had an attorney write a letter to the regional rep. and requested a meeting at the dealership to discuss the problems and possible solutions. We met at the dealership and he asked "What would it take to make you happy with our product"? That was the right question at the right time. I simply said "Just make it right for us" and they did just that.
It took em several days with multiple mechanics working full time to get things right. All under warranty thank goodness. I was so frustrated and angry towards the end. However, I feel your pain, I really do. I feel that persistence on your part may be the best weapon you have. Pretty soon the dealer will know you guys by first name. Hang in there and good things will happen. Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck........
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Old 05-17-2007, 01:42 PM   #24
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Profile:  Currently Looking...
Yakima , Washington
Posts: 363

Most states have lemon laws. I live in Washington and the laws are quiet specific. If your vehicle spends a certain amount trips and time in the shop for repairs of the same thing and is not fixed it might fall under the lemon law. You just have to find the specific law and someone to interpret it. Here in Washington the state attourney general is really a good place to start with quality issues and finding out the specifics of the law. Your state will vary but there are laws to help with these kinds of issues. The sad part is very few take advantage of them. I personally only know of ONE person who used the lemon law a few years back with a new Dodge truck. After repeated issues with the transmission and some other quality issues He useed the lemon law and got a check from Chrysler for the entire purchase of the truck. He then went and bought a new Chevrolet with the money. So I know I does work. UNFORTUNALTLY not all states back up customers concerns this well.
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Old 05-17-2007, 01:52 PM   #25
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Profile:  2005 25' Safari
Currently Looking...
New Orleans , Louisiana
Posts: 1,236
Images: 6

You can use a special machine to find leaks or a leaf blower. I have used a leaf blower on my boat to find deck leaks, let it blow in a sealed hatch and soap it down and follow the bubbles.
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Old 05-17-2007, 02:24 PM   #26
2 Rivet Member

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Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
Ottawa , Ontario
Posts: 45

As far as a picture of my leaky unit goes, you can now see a wee one here as my avatar. Too bad you can't see the leaks.
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Old 05-31-2007, 07:23 PM   #27
2 Rivet Member

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Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
Ottawa , Ontario
Posts: 45

Hey TIMEMACHINE John...BINGO!
Yes, we were told that this was the cause of our leak too.
Our dealer put in larger screws with some kind of gunk on them to really seal the deal. So far, so good. We just had a rain and everything is tight and dry!
Yipee!

Last edited by Annemac; 05-31-2007 at 07:46 PM.
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Old 05-31-2007, 07:35 PM   #28
Mel
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Profile:  1967 22' Safari
1960 18' "Footer"
Edmonds , Washington
Posts: 1,190

Fantastic! So, when's the next camping trip?
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