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Florida_27FB · 07-20-2012, 04:13 PM

Hello- about a month ago my awning support bar snapped and put two dents in the trailer. I'm working with Airstream and my insurance company. While I don't have pictures of the damage I do have the estimate that was written up which I have posted here. I wondered if anyone in the community could comment on the estimate. Does the estimate seem reasonable? From what I can tell, the broken suppport bar put two dents into the PS rear panel and the claw was damaged as well. They found additional damage. I just can't imagine the awning doing this but, it apparantly has.
I'm new to Airstream so your opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Andy

overlander63 · 07-20-2012, 04:19 PM

Without clear photos, any responses would only be wild guesses.

av8or · 07-20-2012, 04:28 PM

That's outrageous! I think you're being gouged because it's an insurance claim.

sakthorp · 07-20-2012, 04:32 PM

I would be curious to see what the damage looks like, $15K is a good chunk o' change.

Florida_27FB · 07-20-2012, 04:36 PM

I will get some pictures on Monday and post them.

wahoonc · 07-20-2012, 05:14 PM

Pictures will help. I sounds like they may have to replace several panels and on an Airstream that can get expensive fast.

Aaron

Mike Leary · 07-20-2012, 05:56 PM

As above, pics are needed. Did it happen while traveling? That's a fresh coach, was it your fault, or is it a warranty situation? Are they zip-dees?

SL4BLLT · 07-20-2012, 06:41 PM

The three panel prices for $403.00 and $368 per x 2 is in the ball park. The charge for 10 hours per panel is three more hours per panel from what I have paid. It is time consuming, but I know when I did my three similar (for the age different panels) this last fall, they charged me the standard seven hours per panel. So do the math, this is nine (9) hours less of the 133.6 hours estimated difference from another dealer. I think the price of $14K is very high and aluminum is at its lowest in 30 years on top of it.
I will admit, quality craftsmanship counts and is expensive. I would get another quote from another Airstream dealer, just to have peace of mind. They do call them estimates for a reason. There is allot of work that is being done, it is very time consuming. Many of us have hundreds of hours in our units and if we had been paid $90 an hour for the work we put into our Units, we'd be rich. The techs that have worked on our Unit have done things very well as if it was there own. Even if there was an issue it was fixed without question and if you have service like that, you've got service.

We all know Airstream repairs are not cheap, but that quote may get the attention of the appraiser and it may not even be a discussion. But then again, they could be in the ball park. Repairs on these newer Units are expensive.

The 133 hours is over three weeks of 8-hour days. That is some serious work.

How many hours does it take to build a new Airstream?

I guess your antennae doesn't need to be fixed with the questioning of the quote?

Good Luck

Mike Leary · 07-20-2012, 06:57 PM

I can't wait to see some pics, hard to imagine 14k worth of damage.

Florida_27FB · 08-08-2012, 07:49 PM

Here they are- Airstream was awesome and is replacing the awning!

Urbanologist · 08-08-2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_27FB

Hello- about a month ago my awning support bar snapped and put two dents in the trailer. I'm working with Airstream and my insurance company. While I don't have pictures of the damage I do have the estimate that was written up which I have posted here. I wondered if anyone in the community could comment on the estimate. Does the estimate seem reasonable? From what I can tell, the broken suppport bar put two dents into the PS rear panel and the claw was damaged as well. They found additional damage. I just can't imagine the awning doing this but, it apparantly has.
I'm new to Airstream so your opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Andy

I just recently had a rear lower left segment replace on my 2008 Safari Sport. Do not park without a outside "spotter" -- it's costly! Here's the deal: Segment just over $460.00; Labor was 8hrs @ $90.00 per hour = $1180.00. GEICO paid my deductible of $500.00.

Urbanologist · 08-08-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_27FB

Hello- about a month ago my awning support bar snapped and put two dents in the trailer. I'm working with Airstream and my insurance company. While I don't have pictures of the damage I do have the estimate that was written up which I have posted here. I wondered if anyone in the community could comment on the estimate. Does the estimate seem reasonable? From what I can tell, the broken suppport bar put two dents into the PS rear panel and the claw was damaged as well. They found additional damage. I just can't imagine the awning doing this but, it apparantly has.
I'm new to Airstream so your opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Andy

Btw! The owner of the shop gave me some insight to the charges: Business Overhead Costs + Talented AS Tech. + 13% Profit Margin came out of my repair bill. His technician has been with him 27 years and would be hard to replace (he's also currently training his own replacement). And not so jokingly: He said "buddy, you're not bringin' me a cheap toy to repair. "

Big C · 08-08-2012, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbanologist

Btw! The owner of the shop gave me some insight to the charges: Business Overhead Costs + Talented AS Tech. + 13% Profit Margin came out of my repair bill. His technician has been with him 27 years and would be hard to replace (he's also currently training his own replacement). And not so jokingly: He said "buddy, you're not bringin' me a cheap toy to repair. "

It's not an xbox or a ps 3. It's not a used TV. It's not a mass produced white box, It's an Airstream.
As a small business owners who have provide quality products and services for over 20 years there is only one way we can stay in business. Knowledge of our product. Quality of both product and service. Warranty, and quality product/service after that. We do insurance/damage quotes in our business. This quote is not (IMHO) extreme for a product that has a very high resale value. Employee of 27 years, a high value alone. This person would know how to do any job in the least amount of time with quality results. That is why he has been there for 27 years...

Urbanologist · 08-09-2012, 11:30 AM

I agree with the repair shop's owner!! My repair and rivet work was flawlessly done!! My roadside patio awning addition took 1.6 hours labor -- 2 hrs less than quoted by ExploreUSA (and less per hour)..

Florida_27FB · 08-09-2012, 12:58 PM

Thanks to everyone who took the time to provide input. The camaraderie of owning an Airstream validates my decision to buy one. Post repair pictures will post in about a month. Thanks again to all!!!
Andy

Urbanologist · 08-09-2012, 01:21 PM

Was there a determination of whether the awning support arms had any manufactures defect that may have caused the failure?

Florida_27FB · 08-09-2012, 01:35 PM

No. But Aistream replaced them nonetheless. The claw is so mangled that the shell must be replaced. It looks to me that a different metal alloy might have been a better choice for the support arm but I'm no engineer. . My experience with Airstream is that they stoop behind ZipDee and the entire product. I've read a lot of negative feedback about the pros and cons of owning new. I for one am glad I bought it new. The company stands behind the product.

Urbanologist · 08-09-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_27FB

No. But Aistream replaced them nonetheless. The claw is so mangled that the shell must be replaced. It looks to me that a different metal alloy might have been a better choice for the support arm but I'm no engineer. . My experience with Airstream is that they stoop behind ZipDee and the entire product. I've read a lot of negative feedback about the pros and cons of owning new. I for one am glad I bought it new. The company stands behind the product.

Great to hear that your Warranty was still in effect. -- get EVERY problem addressed while it's still in force. I hope all future travel is worry free and your family stays safe!!

benjisgal · 08-09-2012, 01:49 PM

I love A/S, but personally, IMHO, I think the entire ZipDee awning system is structurally weak. I am afraid to leave mines out while I am away. I am no engineer.

Urbanologist · 08-09-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjisgal

I love A/S, but personally, IMHO, I think the entire ZipDee awning system is structurally weak. I am afraid to leave mines out while I am away. I am no engineer.

Millions of user hours have put Zip Dee through their paces, so they are proven products. They have to be deployed properly with the understanding that wind force is many times stronger than the AS itself. The AS user manual cautions against deploying the awning in windy conditions. Even with tied-owns, you are not going to keep the awning from torquing itself and bending the support arms. Respect the Wind! In fact, some days it's better to say home or move to safer areas.