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Airstray · 11-10-2010, 09:18 PM

Well I got word today that the RV dealer where I purchased my AS was told by their welder " I won't attempt it". The next guy says he wants $3000.00 to repair it and the dealer has offered to split the cost. They also offered to take it back and let us choose SOB. We haven't made a firm decision yet. The story continues!!!!!!!!!!!!! Airstray

dongubrud · 11-11-2010, 06:45 AM

Airstray
I think I told you a while back that the factory will not ''make it right''. A few unhappy customers is better than the cost of replacing the defective frames with the new stronger ones they use now. A business decision. I think the factory will give you the patch kits for free but will not pay to install them. Trade yours in, or patch up what you have...? If the factory offered me a trade I would trade this for a 19' CCD. Fat chance.
We just bought a ''lemon'' that's all.
I love this rv from the floor up, hate it from the floor down.
Oh, one piece of advice. The welding of my replacement outriggers was done by a dealer and was a disaster. Make sure your welder is trained, schooled and certified. And be there while the work is being done.
Good luck my friend.

Over59 · 11-11-2010, 08:04 AM

How many does it take for a class action? How many other trailers are out there with frame cracks. Toyota bought back all the pickups with a frame problem at some % over book. Would seem a good idea for Airstream.

Keyair · 11-11-2010, 09:33 AM

In my opinion this is more than disasified customers... this is a safety issue too.

marzboy · 11-11-2010, 10:04 AM

Wow! That is really dissapiointing! I have been through the frame on my 1965 and for 45 years of wear, she still looks pretty good. Good luck

wbrownrr · 11-11-2010, 10:22 AM

From time to time the suggestions of a "class action" has come up regarding this issue. I'm curious, has anyone yet talked to a lawyer about this? If so, what response did you get? Just wondering.....

dongubrud · 11-12-2010, 10:11 AM

I have no idea how many of these early CCD's got out of the factory befor they beefed up the frame. There would be no way for us to find out. Class action might be a way to go but there has to be someone out there to hire a lawer and get it started. I suspect that we few that are talking about this on this forum only represents a very few of the desatified owners out there. I would not have any idea how to get ahold of them. Maybe a lawer could.
Keep in mind that all of the patches and ''fixes'' we do to these frames does not solve the problem. It is still a bad frame.
One time mine broke so bad that the rv was untowable. With the various patches I can tow it but I crawl under and check for new cracks every few hundred miles. Not a good way to go.

HowieE · 11-12-2010, 11:19 AM

If you want some idea of how far this problem goes ask those that have posted to post their serial numbers. The lowest and highest number will give you some idea.

jimelmoreiii · 11-12-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

If you want some idea of how far this problem goes ask those that have posted to post their serial numbers. The lowest and highest number will give you some idea.

Just purchased a 2004 22' International CCD and have read this thread with great interest. This trailer has only a few hundred miles on it, was used only one time and had been stored inside since new. Don't see any evidence of frame or outrigger issues but I'm keeping an eye on it, of course. No sign of stiffeners being installed. I'm thinking I should be proactive and have something done before there is any failure.

Serial number 516095, manufactured November 2003.

Inland RV Center, In · 11-12-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimelmoreiii

Just purchased a 2004 22' International CCD and have read this thread with great interest. This trailer has only a few hundred miles on it, was used only one time and had been stored inside since new. Don't see any evidence of frame or outrigger issues but I'm keeping an eye on it, of course. No sign of stiffeners being installed. I'm thinking I should be proactive and have something done before there is any failure.

Serial number 516095, manufactured November 2003.

Typically, when torsion axles have not been used for an extended period of time, the rubber rods in them can deteriorate.

You can check that out yourself by reading the axle article that's located in the Airstream Articles portion of this Forums.

Andy

VIKING · 11-12-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Typically, when torsion axles have not been used for an extended period of time, the rubber rods in them can deteriorate.

You can check that out yourself by reading the axle article that's located in the Airstream Articles portion of this Forums.

Andy

Why not just pile it on the guy.

I'll bring the shovels!

Inland RV Center, In · 11-12-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIKING

Why not just pile it on the guy.

I'll bring the shovels!

I'm not sure that I understand your question?

Andy

zedex · 11-12-2010, 04:27 PM

515968. I do have cracks but they are small. I will weld in my own stiffeners when it slows down at work. Cracks are always on the curb side at the bottom of each outrigger. Very hard to see.

jimelmoreiii · 11-12-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIKING

Why not just pile it on the guy.

I'll bring the shovels!

That's funny! Load me up. (Andy, I appreciate the advice.)

frechettec · 11-13-2010, 08:31 AM

Mine; last six of VIN is 514589 w/a DOM (date of manufacture) 12/13/01.
The curbside: droops o/a 4 inches; frame behind the rear axle is broken, completely severed; the rear and under the stairs outriggers are cracked and, of course sag; the floor, close to the wall has buckled upwards about 2 inches.

The streetside: the frame behind the rear axle has flexed and buckled and is beginning to crack and drooping; the rear wet shower/head has separated at the horizontal seam above the sink.

I have an X-ray rated welder, who welds and fabricates trailers as a business, who has agreed to correct this meagerly constructed trailer.

No matter how successful the fix will be, I don't believe I will ever be comfortable pulling this trailer in the future.

I saved for years to buy this unit for our retirement days--first trip we take after my retirement and the unit falls apart.

Shame on you Airstream for not making these deficient trailers whole.

Once there is strength in numbers, owners with problems coming forth with their serial numbers, I'll bet it would more cost effective for Airstream to voluntarily make all the owners whole rather than pay the consequences of a class action and all the very bad publicity that follows suit.

Carl

2002 22' CCD

dongubrud · 11-13-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Typically, when torsion axles have not been used for an extended period of time, the rubber rods in them can deteriorate.

You can check that out yourself by reading the axle article that's located in the Airstream Articles portion of this Forums.

Andy

That is a good way to go. Do not put more than a few hundred miles on it, keep it in an climate controlled environment and you will have no problems.
Anybody that is seeing any sagging, any cracks below any of the outriggers, check the frame just behind the axle, it will have bends or cracks in it there.

dongubrud · 11-13-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zedex

515968. I do have cracks but they are small. I will weld in my own stiffeners when it slows down at work. Cracks are always on the curb side at the bottom of each outrigger. Very hard to see.

If you have any horizontal cracks below the outriggers, you then have a bent frame aft of the axle. you cannot correct it by just welding up the cracks.

dongubrud · 11-13-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frechettec

Mine; last six of VIN is 514589 w/a DOM (date of manufacture) 12/13/01.
The curbside: droops o/a 4 inches; frame behind the rear axle is broken, completely severed; the rear and under the stairs outriggers are cracked and, of course sag; the floor, close to the wall has buckled upwards about 2 inches.

The streetside: the frame behind the rear axle has flexed and buckled and is beginning to crack and drooping; the rear wet shower/head has separated at the horizontal seam above the sink.

I have an X-ray rated welder, who welds and fabricates trailers as a business, who has agreed to correct this meagerly constructed trailer.

No matter how successful the fix will be, I don't believe I will ever be comfortable pulling this trailer in the future.

You and I , and many others are in the same boat. I spent big money to get the very best. Sadly it did not work out that way.
It is possible that that the ''statue of limitations'' will protect Airstream from any law suit.

I saved for years to buy this unit for our retirement days--first trip we take after my retirement and the unit falls apart.

Shame on you Airstream for not making these deficient trailers whole.

Once there is strength in numbers, owners with problems coming forth with their serial numbers, I'll bet it would more cost effective for Airstream to voluntarily make all the owners whole rather than pay the consequences of a class action and all the very bad publicity that follows suit.

Carl

2002 22' CCD

You and I , and many others are in the same boat. I spent big money to get the very best. Sadly it did not work out that way.
It is possible that that the ''statue of limitations'' will protect Airstream from any law suit.

zedex · 11-13-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DON GUBRUD

If you have any horizontal cracks below the outriggers, you then have a bent frame aft of the axle. you cannot correct it by just welding up the cracks.

I will fab and weld in my own stiffeners. What i think is happening is the outriggers are creating undo stress cracks on the frame. Thats why the cracks are running horizontal. The stress cracks weaken the frame where it should flex normally. If you fab plates that distribute the stresses on the frame ,the frame will flex like it should but not crack. I will use my rig as an experiment. Its all i can do really as i doubt very much Airstream will accomodate me being from Canada.
Stress cracks are not a rare thing in frames. Alot of trailers have stress cracks.
In fact a 30 ft arctic fox came into my shop. My business partner had to rescue it from the side of the road.These folks were just leaving on a trip when this happened. One of the rear axles broke away from the frame and rotated and bound up into the other axle.The axle had to be strapped with tie downs to be towed to the shop.
What had happened is the rear axle spring hanger was welded across the bottom web of the frame. That weld created a weakness in the frame and the axle hanger actually tore the bottom of the frame off right at the welds. In the welding business you see all sorts of things that most people have no idea about.
Obviously there are a **** load of airsteams out there that have frame cracks. How does one communicate with these people that have no idea what is going on under their feet? No idea. Sure as hell Airstream will not divulge this info.
Colin