25 FB Twin - Cracks

[Skyguy2]

Folks I need help, I am looking at A 2011 25 FB twin to buy, the problem is it has cracks at the front beside the storage access door. Is this normal? Is this something major?

Thanks for any input on this.

Skyguy

[Mrjkq]

If you talking about cracks in the aluminum, no that's not normal.

[KJRitchie]

Cracks? Keep searching.

Kelvin

[moosetags]

I have never seen cracks around any storage door in a late model Airstream. That doesn't sound good. We would be interested in seeing photos of the cracks if you have any.

What is the current owner of the Airstream saying about those cracks?

Brian

[sheriff1]

What are we talking 1" or less, how many?


2015 F350 CC 4X4 6.7 Diesel
2010 27FB Silver Cloud "The Silver Spoon"

[Skyguy2]

Current owner says he just noticed the cracks. The unit had a dent in the left side behind the rock guard. The rock guard had been replaced and the dent in the unit body was pulled out the best they could by Dent Wizard. It looked like maybe a jack knife accident. Not a perfect repair.
Thanks for the help.

[Skyguy2]

Cracks are about 2 in from the base of the access door to the base of the unit in a diagonal line.

[Schu]

If you can get a good deal on the trailer,the cracks can be fixed pretty easily. It is not an uncommon area to see cracks and is usually the result of the front plate flexing while traveling with the weight distributing hitch.Change the front plate and add backer metal at the corners.

[MAJORJDB]

Schu,
Been pulling TTs for 30+ years with a WD hitch and have never seen or heard of that causing cracks. Would be interested in any research info you might have on that effect with AS units. May have to reconsider either the TT or hitch system in my future RV ops.
Skyguy2,
There are too many AS units for sale to settle for one with possible structural issues. Might be an expensive "good deal"... Good Luck
JDB

[JCWDCW]

I'm guessing the "accident" probably stretched or stressed the sheet metal. Still, any repair is going to be costly....maybe keep looking

JCW

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by MAJORJDB

Schu,
Been pulling TTs for 30+ years with a WD hitch and have never seen or heard of that causing cracks. Would be interested in any research info you might have on that effect with AS units. May have to reconsider either the TT or hitch system in my future RV ops.
Skyguy2,
There are too many AS units for sale to settle for one with possible structural issues. Might be an expensive "good deal"... Good Luck
JDB

Cracks in the shell or chassis, are caused by vibration, nothing else.

What causes the vibration ??

Excess rated tow vehicle.

Excess rated hitch bars.

Unbalanced running gear.

Bad rubber rods in the axle/axles.

Anyone or more of the above will cause cracks typically in the front of the shell and near the axles in the chassis.

That has been happening during my 50 years with Airstream.

The KEY QUESTION when looking at any Airstream that has cracks in the aluminum, is that it also could have them in the chassis.

How do you know ??

Guess work doesn't do it, but eyeball inspection does.

Personally, I would never recommend to anyone to buy an Airstream that had visible cracks, since there very possibly are other cracks that they did not see or discover.

Then, when those other cracks appear, the costs to correct them can run into thousands of dollars.

But as always, BUYER BEWARE.

Andy

[guskmg]

Early on my front plate cracks were from poorly supported battery boxes. The front plate cracks emanated from the upper inner battery box door frames. The factory repaired them out of the Goodwill Account. Then recently, I had them remove the battery boxes to install a lithium/solar system. The tech was very careful to add angle gussets to both sides of the vertical front stringers to insure no future cracking even though no new ones had yet occurred. He said any time they have the plate skin off they do this as a precaution against flex cracking. Weight distribution load added to the tongue flexing load created by the batteries hammering up and down. If you experience this on a relatively new trailer I would take it to Jackson Center for them to repair. They have vast experience in these things.
guskmg