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Inland RV Center, In · 05-10-2003, 09:44 AM

Customer says, "My Airstream has a small water leak, I think."]
Photo # 1

Andy
inlandrv.com

Inland RV Center, In · 05-10-2003, 09:50 AM

We have seen people lose this, BUT AN AIRSTREAM ?????
Photo # 2

Andy inlandrv.com

Tikihut · 05-10-2003, 09:52 AM

small leak big problem

j54mark · 05-10-2003, 10:34 AM

Probably need a little penetrating epoxy and finish it off with a seamless vinyl floor to hide the repair. Might want to go ahead and put in one of them there tail droop kits while you are at it.

Ho boy!

Mark

Pick · 05-10-2003, 10:53 AM

Does not look like there was much of a tail left to droop.

Andy, what was the source of the leak?

I check mine for leaks after just about every rain.

Inland RV Center, In · 05-10-2003, 11:10 AM

Cause-------------no wheel balance AND no play left in the axle to absorb the smallest of bumps.

Result.........Rear end separation and broken drain line.

Fix..............Pricey

"Hock the house dear, we need the Airstream fixed."

Another photo later.

Andy
inlandrv.com

Chas · 05-10-2003, 11:28 AM

Holy crap Andy!

Maybe they should have just donated it to Goodwill and got a decent tax writeoff. Do you feel bad taking their money? I would have told them to scrap it. Could be a good time to build the first rear jacuzzi tub model.

Chas

Inland RV Center, In · 05-10-2003, 11:39 AM

Some owners want what they want, period.

No amount of talking does any good, sometimes. This is one of those cases.

Especially since this is a 69-21 foot single axle.

You can lead a person to a garden, but they will pick the fruit that pleases them.

Vintage, antique, old, relic. People spend money the way they want to, sometimes in spite of themselves.

Feel bad about this job? Heck no. The owners want it fixed, regardless of cost. If we don't fix it, they will be mad. If we do fix it, they will be happy Airstream campers.

They were told we were the best. So they show up and want it fixed, and how quick can we get it back.

Cost? They don't care.

What can you say????

Andy
inlandrv.com

53flyingcloud · 05-10-2003, 12:45 PM

Andy

That's truly amazing.

This has to be another "Good reason why we ought not tow ANYTHING with our Airstream".

What percent of A/S out there today do you reckon look like that?

I'm willing to bet. More than we know~!

ciao

Pick · 05-10-2003, 02:22 PM

How people let things go to pot. Being the son of a plumber, I am constant "Leak Patrol", not just my Airstream, but my house, barn and farm market as well. Just got into the house from re-plumbing my tractors liquid fertilizer and herbicide lines, so we can start planting sweet corn this coming week. An Atrazine or 28% nitrogen bath is not a pleasant experience.

I will say this, about all you fine folk on this forum: You have made me more aware of the complex systems that make up our Airstreams, and how you have to keep a sharp eye and ear out for trouble. It doesn't matter if it is right off the assembly line, or 50 years old, we need to PAY ATTENTION!

Inland RV Center, In · 05-10-2003, 02:38 PM

Out of sight, out of mind.

All too many owners of older trailers, are not aware of what rear end separartion really is, let alone where to look for it.

There are far more structural problems trailers out there than owners would readily admit to.

I think a good survey is in order, and what a better place to do it at than the up coming international rally?

At the international rally, there is usually a team that inspects hitches as you enter the fairgrounds.

I would like to suggest that two more teams be established, and be stationed at the entrance to the rally, as well.

The first team could quickly determine if the trailer had any form of rear end separation.

The second, could quickly check the axles.

I think that would develop some fast interesting information. What a better place to discuss things such as that, than at an international rally.

And what a better place to post that information, than this forum!!

Could keep some folks talking up a storm, for a long time.

Just an idea.

Andy
inlandrv.com

Chuck · 05-10-2003, 03:38 PM

Hey, Andy: you gonna be at the international rally?

(I'll probably go up to check it out..won't be able to stay the whole time, but when do you suppose the next time such a specticle will be so close?)

"out of site, out of mind"....yeah, that's what scares me...what I can't see, because I can't access it to see it. wouldn't it be nice if they put inspection plates in key spots on the A/S like they do with airplanes, so we could give them an "anual"....get a good look at what's going on in there?

Pick · 05-10-2003, 05:21 PM

On my '72, I can inspect the most of the perimeter. Pulling up the gaucho, I can inspect the wall line in the nose of the trailer. I can pull up the carpeting around the front of the gaucho and inspect that wall line. Continuing back along the street side look behind the refer, then inside the pantry. There is a handy door to pull up under the twin bed. Towards the rear, it is almost impossible to inspect behind/under the water heater and toilet, (I replaced mine, so I know what it looks like under there) but I can open up the rear compartment and look in on that side.

Curb side, a little tough to look behind furnace, then continue back under sink counter, next the other twin bed, then the closet. In the curbside closet there is an access panel for the univolt. Then you are at the bathtub, which you can inspect from the trunk opening on the rear. (You may have to remove the aluminum shelf)

john hd · 05-10-2003, 06:35 PM

you are right about maintinance pick, that is why i hacked into my trailer today to find this...

the flange on the grey water valve was cracked all the way around.

most likely caused by the shortcut i took over my curb last fall.

whatever it takes, fix those leaks! or you will pay big later!

john