Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-12-2017, 04:02 PM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
2011 19' Victorinox
2017 Basecamp
Lacey , Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Images: 1
2017 Basecamp Issues

Hi, I thought I'd start a discussion to see if anyone else is having any production issues with their 2017 Basecamp. I was told that the water tank needs to be replaced due to holes that were inadvertently drilled in the top during the installation of the tables (this happened on many of the first units). Also, both my BC and my friend's BC have leaks (we live in Washington State). I do love the BC, but I am concerned that the quality may have suffered in the rush to get them out on the market.
4WetPaws is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 04:21 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor , New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear about the QC issues! The holes in the tank sure make one wonder about the production line.



You might have better exposure in the Basecamp sub-forum:

[Edit where the moderators just moved this!]

Good luck!

Peter
OTRA15 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 05:30 PM   #3
3 Rivet Member
 
Trae and Ann's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Garland , Arkansas
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 122
When did your BC roll out? I'm taking ours out again next weekend and will fill up the fresh and check for leaks. Ours rolled off right after thanksgiving has had the fresh tank filled and didn't notice any but wasn't looking close for leaks either.
Trae and Ann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 05:43 PM   #4
2 Rivet Member
 
2011 19' Victorinox
2017 Basecamp
Lacey , Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Images: 1
Trae and Ann,

My BC arrived in December. I was told that all of the initial Basecamps had holes in the fresh water tanks. These holes occurred when the tables were mounted (they drilled through the floor into the top of the tanks). The water tank is okay as long as you don't overfill. They are replacing my water tank. Also, I discovered that my BC has a leak, as did my friend's. We both live in Washington state, so we get a lot of rain and it is easy to see when things are sealed correctly. Anyway, check to see if you need a new water tank… there is a service bulletin that explains the issue. Mine goes back to the dealership this week. Slightly frustrated, but hoping Airstream will fix everything.
4WetPaws is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:02 PM   #5
Living Riveted since 2013
 
Rocinante's Avatar

 
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,201
Blog Entries: 1
It's a shame when this happens, but if you stay on top of the issues and work consistently with your dealer, everything should be resolvable within the warranty period. Keep a running punch list of "stuff that's broken" and when the list gets long enough to make you unhappy, take your BC in for service. For now, I'd say the holy water tank and the leak are pretty big issues and it makes sense to get them fixed ASAP. Unresolved leaks, as you probably know, are kryptonite for Airstreams. If you have one, it must be fixed right away.

In some cases the dealer may have to go to bat for you with Corporate to get a bigger issue taken care of, but if you have a good relationship with your dealer and keep pressing them, you'll get good results. It took us two years to iron out all the warranty issues with Rocinante, but she's in good shape now and we're very happy with her.
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")


Rocinante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:06 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor , New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocinante View Post
. . .
It took us two years to iron out all the warranty issues with Rocinante, . . .
. . .
I realize you were trying to be supportive . . .

but really, Airstream and Thor, do you realize how crazy your quality control is?



Holes drilled through the floor and through the top of the water tank.

I am still gasping for air trying to picture how a mechanic on the assembly line could be so dumb,

and where were his supervisors and department heads?

___________________________________

We now return you to the regularly scheduled broadcast.
OTRA15 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:10 PM   #7
2 Rivet Member
 
2011 19' Victorinox
2017 Basecamp
Lacey , Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Images: 1
Rocinante,

Thanks for the encouragement. I have full confidence in the dealership (Airstream Adventures NW), and corporate. I was interested to see if anyone else is having issues with their BC's as it is a new model (overhaul of the 2007 version). They are actually replacing my friend's Basecamp already.
4WetPaws is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:16 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Currently Looking...
Mantua , Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
Blog Entries: 2
They're replacing it with a new trailer?
xrvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:33 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
AWCHIEF's Avatar
 
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi , Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
Images: 33
I saw one of the first production models delivered to the local dealership and was not impressed with the fit and finish. Poor QC was obvious within two minutes of setting foot inside. The salesman attempted to open the flimsy propane box and the top fitting riped off. Two cabinets had screws missing from the hinge and the flooring was miscut around the read door by over an inch. To me it looks like a cheap horse trailer and the construction quality matched that look.
__________________
MICHAEL

Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
AWCHIEF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:39 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
Lakes Region , New Hampshire
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 815
Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15 View Post
Holes drilled through the floor and through the top of the water tank.

I am still gasping for air trying to picture how a mechanic on the assembly line could be so dumb,

and where were his supervisors and department heads?
Not disagreeing with anything you mean, just redirecting the aim. Most any worker in an assembly line would never know he did it, they serve a specific function - and design and engineering isn't it. They are told put the table here and screw it down and hurry up.
Save the sealing issues, exposed hardware, missing hinge screws, etc... blame for the line guys, this one isn't theirs.
I feel sorry for the beta testers out there who didn't know they were going to be.
RandyNH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:48 PM   #11
2 Rivet Member
 
2011 19' Victorinox
2017 Basecamp
Lacey , Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Images: 1
Michael,

Thanks for your input. This is not meant to bash Airstream, or the Basecamp model. I really like the Basecamp and I have full confidence in Airstream that they will correct the issues. As with any new design, there are bound to be flaws… this is merely an opportunity for BC owners to express their concerns so we can all learn.
4WetPaws is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:52 PM   #12
2 Rivet Member
 
2011 19' Victorinox
2017 Basecamp
Lacey , Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Images: 1
I think the fresh water tank is contained, so it may not leak out on to the ground. Check with your dealer to see if your tank may have been recalled.
4WetPaws is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:56 PM   #13
3 Rivet Member
 
Trae and Ann's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Garland , Arkansas
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 122
I haven't noticed any leaks on ours. Not in Washington but we did spend a very rainy night camping and other than a nice sound to sleep to everything seemed sealed tight. Definitely will check out the water tank recall. Thanks for the heads up. So far we have been out 4 trips and are very happy with the quality.
Trae and Ann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 06:59 PM   #14
2 Rivet Member
 
2011 19' Victorinox
2017 Basecamp
Lacey , Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Images: 1
I hope everything works out well… If not, Airstream should replace the tank. I look forward to hearing about your adventures )
4WetPaws is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 07:24 PM   #15
4 Rivet Member
 
2017 Basecamp
Conway , Arkansas
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 340
I've had my Basecamp a couple of weeks. Still waiting for the dealership to mail me the title, so I can get tags for it. I did notice that the seal on the bathroom door sticks to the door when you open it, which in my opinion will make the door not waterproof. On the hinge side of the door facing, the seal was not installed properly, in my opinion, and the sticky part sticks to the door when you open it. I will ask about a recall on the water tank. That is discouraging! Also, the tube that holds the sewer hose was too small to hold the hose they sold me. The cover on the hose prevented the hose from going in. I took the covers and sanded four of the 'tabs' down with a disk sander and the hose now fits.
Gail Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2017, 07:57 PM   #16
2 Rivet Member
 
2011 19' Victorinox
2017 Basecamp
Lacey , Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 54
Images: 1
Gail,

Thanks for adding to the discussion. I will ask them about the seal on the bathroom door and the sewer connector when I take mine in this week. I hope you get everything sorted out with your BC. They are really sweet units… I hope you have lots of happy adventures!!!
4WetPaws is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2017, 12:44 AM   #17
3 Rivet Member
 
Colfax , California
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 205
2 easily resolvable issues

We got our BC with both tents. Had not set them up yet (we are in northern California where rain is now the order of the week).

Our sales guy sent me a link that showed the tent setup. The first thing the demonstrator demonstrated was the dealer prep mods that include snaps on the rear for the rear tent. The dealer overlooked the dealer prep install.

There is a rubber trim piece (black moulding) running along the wall/ceiling junction. It had a stickum bead that is about 1/4" wide and it optimally adheres to a flat surface like the top of the wall or the edge of the ceiling. If it is installed where the stickum bead is exactly at the ceiling/wall junction, it will be hit and miss and is likely to peel away and drop down. I had about 3 feet fall on the bathroom side.

The dealer is going to install the tent clips and throw in a free Walbernizer (sp?). They will also reset the moulding .

We have been through 8" of rain the past few days. No leaks.
Bborzell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2017, 08:00 AM   #18
4 Rivet Member
 
2017 Basecamp
Conway , Arkansas
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 340
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4WetPaws View Post
Gail,

Thanks for adding to the discussion. I will ask them about the seal on the bathroom door and the sewer connector when I take mine in this week. I hope you get everything sorted out with your BC. They are really sweet units… I hope you have lots of happy adventures!!!
It could also just have been the brand of sewer hose they sold me that caused the problem. Rhinoflex was the brand.
Gail Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2017, 08:11 AM   #19
4 Rivet Member
 
2017 Basecamp
Conway , Arkansas
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 340
Window latches

I read some concerns about there being no screens on the window latch openings when you pop the side windows open. This would allow mosquitoes to get in the camper. I made Plexiglas inserts for my openings. I added a bit of mosquito-proof screen to them, but realized later that that wasn't necessary, since you have the big screen on the window. My inserts fit snuggly but I added drawer knobs to assist getting them in and out and when I snap the cover back on them, the knobs help hold them in place. The inserts have to be taken out when the windows are closed as the window opening 'handles' would hit them. Attaching (hopefully) rather poor cell phone photos.

Click image for larger version

Name:	Basecamp small window1.jpg
Views:	524
Size:	385.4 KB
ID:	279724

Click image for larger version

Name:	Basecamp small window2.jpg
Views:	641
Size:	329.6 KB
ID:	279725
Gail Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2017, 08:26 AM   #20
4 Rivet Member
 
2017 Basecamp
Conway , Arkansas
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 340
No screens on side window handle openings.

I read concerns about there not being any screens on the openings where the handles are to pop open the side windows. No screens would allow mosquitoes to get in the camper. I made Plexiglas inserts for my camper. I added a bit of screen to them, but realized later that it wasn't necessary since there are screens on the windows. The inserts fit snugly, but I added a couple of drawer knobs to assist getting them in and out. They have to be removed when the window is closed as the window opening handle would hit them. I will try to attach a couple of rather poor cell phone photos.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Basecamp small window1.jpg
Views:	662
Size:	385.4 KB
ID:	279726   Click image for larger version

Name:	Basecamp small window2.jpg
Views:	678
Size:	329.6 KB
ID:	279727  

Gail Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
NorCal : 2017 Olema Spring Rally April 7-9, 2017 (formerly at Casini) HootMon-Frau Forum Rallies & Meet Ups 14 04-01-2017 12:46 PM
2017 Basecamp Issues 4WetPaws Our Community 1 02-21-2017 10:20 AM
Think I'll go pick up our 2017 RV of the Year Basecamp tomorrow Bborzell Airstream "In the News" 2 01-25-2017 05:35 AM
love our Basecamp, but looking for solutions to small issues basecamper Base Camp 1 08-23-2009 09:16 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:17 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.