Airstream Floor Rot

[kscherzi]

I just got a 2013. I see a lot, I mean a lot, of forum topics about floor rot, even for 5 year old trailers. I just sold a 15 year old Coleman popup, the plywood floor still looked new from underneath. What's going on? Did I just buy into a project?

[luvoldstuff]

I have owned a dozen or so campers, and now two older airstreams. They all leaked at some point. The beauty of an airstream is that if there is a leak the walls (and ceiling) won't rot, that is definitely plus, nothing worse than finding spongy walls and ceilings in your investment.
I think it is hit or miss with new airstreams, yours may never leak, I think it depends on who was on the caulk gun that day at the factory, my friends 2010 was finally shipped back to the factory with a rotten floor.
That said, I would not loose sleep, I would just MAKE SURE and check inside under everything after every heavy rain, catch it early and you can reseal before something is ruined, plywood can take some water a few times and then dry,but you have to catch it early, like I said it may never leak, and I always check and reseal around stuff every couple of years. If your not good with a caulk gun have a pro do it.

[ROBERT CROSS]

......this one especially.


Bob

[overlander63]

They ALL leak.
The difference is, here we are talking about rotten floors. On other RV forums, they are talking about rotten floors, rotten walls, and rotten roofs and rotten ceilings. And of course the rotten particle board cabinetry that falls apart when the roof leaks on it.

[dkottum]

Leaks and corrosion are the biggest complaints. They will happen with any RV so it must be managed with regular inspections and repair as needed. I use the same moisture detection meter pictured above to inspect the interior perimeter quarterly, poking right through the vinyl to check the subfloor.

To mitigate corrosion I treat the underside steel of the trailer with Boeshield T9 which leaves a wax coating, and cut edges, rivets, and exterior fittings on the shell with CorrosionX quarterly. Wax with the Airstream Service Center recommended Glaze product.

Going on two years in September, two cross-country trips, no damage or corrosion yet. But I did find and fix a minor leak by probing the floor, caused by a loose door hinge.

doug k

[kscherzi]

Thanks. That's a good tip. I'm getting one of those meters. My friends 2007 in now in for replacement of the rear floor for about 4k. That shouldn't have happened. Are there specific common leak areas that deserve extra vigilance?

[Wazbro]

While not the most common, one of the important places to make sure to check is where the plate the bumper compartment door hinges on goes under the shell. This leak is not very easy to spot since the water goes straight to the subfloor so many times there is a lot of floor rot before it is found.

Then there are the same leaks as the rest of the trailer brands. Most common first (from what I've read), all the vents and exhaust fans, compartment doors, antenna, A/C, windows, awning mounting points and not as common as you might expect the seams and rivets.

Oh, also trailer damage and the plumbing.

[JACQUIE]

Originally Posted by wazbro

while not the most common, one of the important places to make sure to check is where the plate the bumper compartment door hinges on goes under the shell. This leak is not very easy to spot since the water goes straight to the subfloor so many times there is a lot of floor rot before it is found.

Then there are the same leaks as the rest of the trailer brands. Most common first (from what i've read), all the vents and exhaust fans, compartment doors, antenna, a/c, windows, awning mounting points and not as common as you might expect the seams and rivets.

Oh, also trailer damage and the plumbing.

yes our 2004 28' safari must have had this going on for years unknown to us until on our way south last nov, water appeared on the bedroom carpet. When we arrived in fl, my husband ripped out the carpet & the rear storage was rotted completely thru but hidden underneath the carpet. He did what he could under the circumstances & as of august he plans to remove all carpet & re-do floors including the storage. The slide out leak still happens as well; we have worked on it as well the dealer has tried but no complete cure.we do eventually hope we can find the reason for the leaks.
New to safari-ing

[Splitrock]

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