Repair needed in California

[flynmike]

I dented my 30' Classic today backing it in the driveway. I've had this trailer 8 years and backed it in my narrow driveway 50 times but goofed up today and dented the left rear corner.

My knee-jerk thought is to take it to one of the excellent shops in southern California and bite the bullet on driving 7 hours and leaving the Airstream there and going back and retrieving it when it's done.

I know there are no shops in Sacramento, where I live, that I would trust to do the work correctly. I'm a little squeamish about Toscano in Los Banos Ca…anyone have any body repair experience with them?

There's also a new Airstream dealer in Fairfield Ca that I just found out about but I can't find any information about the extent of their experience in body work.

Summer is right around the corner and I'd like to get my Airstream fixed ASAP so any thoughts from the forum is appreciated.

Mike

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by flynmike

I dented my 30' Classic today backing it in the driveway. I've had this trailer 8 years and backed it in my narrow driveway 50 times but goofed up today and dented the left rear corner.

My knee-jerk thought is to take it to one of the excellent shops in southern California and bite the bullet on driving 7 hours and leaving the Airstream there and going back and retrieving it when it's done.

I know there are no shops in Sacramento, where I live, that I would trust to do the work correctly. I'm a little squeamish about Toscano in Los Banos Ca…anyone have any body repair experience with them?

There's also a new Airstream dealer in Fairfield Ca that I just found out about but I can't find any information about the extent of their experience in body work.

Summer is right around the corner and I'd like to get my Airstream fixed ASAP so any thoughts from the forum is appreciated.

Mike

Mike.

No need to be in a rush.

That crease isn't hurting anything, except your feelings.

Get a valid estimate, settle with your insurance comapny and have it replaced later.

Or, if you have some mechanical stuff, replace it yourself, as many others have.

Andy

[flynmike]

Thanks Andy…that makes the most sense at this point.

Mike

[NevadaGeo]

This fellow will probably be driving by you in a couple days coming out of the Cassini Ranch rally, give him a call: https://www.facebook.com/NvcmmAirstreamRepair 415.878.7071

[batman]

Mike,
Now it has character . Try a suction cup dent puller. If that doesn't work then follow Andy's advise


-Dennis

[RM66caravel]

I agree with the dent cup puller it should work.
Cliff

[kmaggard]

Dent pullers cups are very cheap on Amazon and I have a couple of dents I would love to try it on. Any recommendations on which one to buy? I am kind of figuring just a middle-of-the-road one. Thanks

[Secguru]

Try Vinnie's Northbay Airstream Repair: 707-861-8116 in Santa Rosa California. He does restorations.

[Jenniflow]

I love Vinnie, but he might be busy, so you could also try Adam at Avalon-rv.com in Benicia. They are solid, thoughtful, honest, and skilled there and they have helped me out with a number of issues with my '86 345 classic MH. Just for grins, tell them I sent you. I may be having them strip my coach this season. It's true, you can expect higher prices in NorCal than in other parts of the US but then there's your time money and effort getting your rig to some far-flung service. I felt that Adam did the best he could by me. And no, I have no financial interest in this advice ;-)

[jgerardi]

I have had nothing but good experience with Toscano. I had a similar event a few years ago when after i stopped backing up the trailer, the house moved forward and dented my international. Mine was much worse than yours. Toscano did a great job.

[flynmike]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the thoughts, sympathy and recommendations! This is my 4th Airstream and in 20+ years of Airstreaming this is my first dent…so I'm a little sick about it. I'm very happy to find out there are some reputable shops in Northern California shops that know Airstreams. Previously, I had work done at Andy's shop at Inland RV (before they stopped shop work) and at C & G in Bellflower Ca.

Mike

[batman]

Mike,
If you can't fix it your self, and you have tried the rest, then try the best, Area 63 Productions, Uwe Salwender, 909 355 3558. They have moved to Lytle Creek, CA.


-Dennis

[bganso]

Don't know if they do repairs on newer Airstreams, but Sierra Trailer Restoration located in Grass Valley, CA might be worth a try too.

[Wolfe]

Try dent doctor they puled the caved top of a car out that was jumped on in riot,
iwas impressed.

[TinShack]

I had a dent very similar to that and pulled out the worst of it with an old-style toilet plunger. The crease and scratch won't come out though. I did this about 6 years ago and it's still there. I consider it a badge of honor. Maybe one of these days when I'm feeling rich I'll look into having it repaired, but it won't be at Toscano, I know that much.

[Jenniflow]

Originally Posted by CA Streamer

I had a dent very similar to that and pulled out the worst of it with an old-style toilet plunger. The crease and scratch won't come out though. I did this about 6 years ago and it's still there. I consider it a badge of honor. Maybe one of these days when I'm feeling rich I'll look into having it repaired, but it won't be at Toscano, I know that much.

Hey CA Streamer, care to say why not Toscano?

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by Jenniflow

Hey CA Streamer, care to say why not Toscano?

Leave it to say I was not satisfied at all with their sales or service departments. The big thing is they could not fix, or even identify the problem with the brakes on the trailer I purchased from them. I took it to Sky River in Paso Robles and no problem. I've been going to Sky River ever since and they have been honest and great to deal with. They also do AS body work but I have not had any done there so I cannot testify as to the quality of their work.

[Vitaminsea]

I used Bayarea Airstream in Fairfield to repair and patch the skin from the front awning bar being ripped out. To replace the entire side panel was going to be in the 18k range. Instead they pulled out the dent and patched the torn skin with new patches that match the skin for 550 bucks. The workmanship is good from Alex in the shop (who actually did the work).

I was concerned on the workmanship as they are a new dealer but very happy with the results. They are still working out their service advisors and sales staff though have good actual service when you get it done from my experience.

From your photo, the "paint less" dent repair might be a good option if you can live with the scratches. Otherwise it's replacing the panel.