When did AS use OSB flooring (Oriented strand board)?

[perryg114]

There are also design flaws that have not changed in 30-40 yrs that would help reduce leaks and therefore rot. The bumper plate area seems to leak on all models. The gaps in the C-Channel that let any water come into direct contact with the flooring. The curved sections have flooring relatively exposed compared to the straight sides. The sides are protected by the C-channel at the base of the floor and another channel that covers the ends of the plywood. If this bottom channel was continued all the way around, many leaks or at least the negative effects of the leaks would be eliminated. Then you have to ask where is the profit in making a product that last decades. Maybe the 5-10 yrs lifetime for SOB trailers is more profitable and it also fits the American Dream of everything is disposable and renewable. How can we have growth if stuff lasts forever. What is the profit in that.

Perry

[Aage]

I'd like to mention that I did not mean this thread as a way to criticize Airstream, rather, I simply wanted to find out which years that OSB was used.

I've got to admit that the information that you all have kindly given me is, to me at least, surprising. But again, I only wanted to know how widespread the use of that material is, and no more.

Therefore, I ask that we do not stray from the title question. There are plenty of other threads that can be used if you want to discuss problems with your TT.

Thanks very much for your co-operation.

[Ridgerunner3]

We just bought a 2002 Safari 25. It has plywood flooring.

[Del Gurney]

My '05 25' (delivered '06) fortunately has ply.
My 2cents: Having worked on boats my whole life; Marine Grade ply
a) uses high quality tight grained wood with out knots
b) uses a finish veneer for attractive varnished appearance
c) uses water resistant adhesive.
d) employes 5-7 individual layers of wood veneer (as opposed to 3-5 for reg. ply) This is for a higher glue to wood ratio for strength.
e) will rot faster in a marine situation as salt deposits never dry out lest washed.

f) it weighs more ......maybe it was a weight issue with AS? Or too rigid for a flexing trailer. Density/strength vs. weight as usual.
STILL, be nice if they had sealed it with maybe marine grade West System epoxy.

[crestonrv]

weight ? thats funny osb is 12.00 a sheet at our lowes (5/8,3/4 is 14.50 ) i use furniture grade and waterproofing about 40.00 a sheet.
i see so many osb disasters that it hurts to think about it. most sobs are using osb,recently had a class c in , an 08 the slideout seals were installed wrong though it made it through the warranty period th floor rotted out for 6' and slideout had to be removed to repair , cost of osb in this situation went to 11,000.00 . did a floor repair last fall on an 05 22' ccd also frame repair , water got in at rear wall as usual. had to strip interior to door from rear wall to replace rotted osb. repair sagged outriggers and rear of frame. jackson centers est. 9800.00 i felt sorry for cust with 1rst a/s (bought used)did job for less than 5000.00 but don't really want to do another.
i'll stick with the antiques

[MHBroker]

Does anyone know if OSB is still used in new AS trailers? I certainly wouldn't want to ask the typical salesperson on a lot, if you know what I mean. I am more interested in buying a good used AS trailer but can't seem to be able to pinpoint or get a clear handle on which years and/or models had OSB. I have searched the treads but so far.....it seems to be a mystery. Has marine plywood ever been used at the factory? Or just in floor replacements?

Having owned several different motorhomes and trailers through my years, my experience seems to be that the factory installs whatever is within arms reach when the unit is coming down the production line. Most RVs are prototypes. Anyone know?

Thanks

Harlan

[Aage]

According to Airstream's factory Customer Service, apparently not:
__________________________________________________

Originally Posted by david686

I replied to AS's email for some OSB information and just got this reply.


"We have not used any osb flooring since 2007 model year and that was only on 2 models.


Thank you,

Airstream Customer Support Team"

[polarlyse]

I did not read all the posts here so not sure if I'm repeating but our 1985 Excella
DID have OSB.

[Aage]

31 or 34-footer?

[Skatiero]

Our 89 29' excella did have osb.

[66Overlander]

I can personally confirm that I have seen two 1985s and one 1986 Airstream with OSB flooring and a 1979 and a 1994 with plywood flooring.

Summarizing the "vintage" applications from reading this thread, it seems that Airstream used OSB for flooring from 1985 at least into 1993, but stopped at least for a while beginning in 1994 (possibly during 1993) before restarting in the 2000's for at least some models.

What I would like to know is what did Airstream use for flooring in 1980 through 1984 (the early Thor years)? OSB or real plywood? Owners or others with information about these years please speak up. Thanks.

As the Vintage Airstream Club Historian, this seems like a fact I should know the answer to. That plus when I look for my next vintage trailer, I want to avoid OSB. Am I limited to 1979 and before or 1984 and before, or something in between? Thanks again.

[66Overlander]

I did some searching on this site a found a little additional information on OSB usage in early 1980's Airstreams. This thread confirms that OSB was used on a 1984 Airstream Motorhome:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...ded-83372.html

This thread implies that OSB may have been used on a 1983 Airstream Motorhome without stating so directly:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...rs-106206.html

I could find nothing about OSB usage before 1983 and nothing about OSB usage on Airstream trailers in 1983 and 1984. That said, I also found nothing that confirms plywood was used for flooring in 1980 to 1984 either. I do not want to make any assumptions.

I continue to look forward to responses from Owners of 1980 to 1984 Airstream trailers and motorhomes confirming if their Airstream has OSB or plywood floors. Thanks in advance.

[dougandlori]

My 90 Excella has OSB. My AS has spent its life in Arizon and Southern California and has held up well.
Doug
Fresno

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

I did some searching on this site a found a little additional information on OSB usage in early 1980's Airstreams. This thread confirms that OSB was used on a 1984 Airstream Motorhome:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...ded-83372.html

This thread implies that OSB may have been used on a 1983 Airstream Motorhome without stating so directly:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...rs-106206.html

I could find nothing about OSB usage before 1983 and nothing about OSB usage on Airstream trailers in 1983 and 1984. That said, I also found nothing that confirms plywood was used for flooring in 1980 to 1984 either. I do not want to make any assumptions.

I continue to look forward to responses from Owners of 1980 to 1984 Airstream trailers and motorhomes confirming if their Airstream has OSB or plywood floors. Thanks in advance.

I recently had a 1984 27' Sovereign in my shop with plywood sub-floor. Very thin 1/2" ply, but not OSB.

Perryg114 has a 1981 Excella with plywood subfloor.

[TouringDan]

My 1984 Excella 500 has a plywood sub floor.

Dan

[Del Gurney]

Looked at a 84 Excella 30 the other day, said it was in good shape.
Showed up - it was so bad it needed a shell off resto.....good old OSB
Also looked at a 5th wheel AS (at least he was honest about condition)...it was so bad I recommended he turn it into a AS Horse Trailer....OSB again

[66Overlander]

Thanks Lance, Dan & Del,
It looks like 1984 may have a been a transition year from plywood to OSB, with some of both reported.

I am not sure what to make of the post that suggested a 1983 Airstream Motorhome may have also had OSB. Maybe I read too much into that post. Or were both types of flooring used both years, or did Motorhomes change to the "new" floor material a year or more before Airstream trailers?

Hopefully more people with 1982, 1983, and 1984 Airstreams will weigh in on whether their Airstream has plywood or OSB for floors.

[911Patriot]

Our '91 Excella...yep.

[LFC]

My 2000 25' Safari has plywood.

[John&Vicki]

My '90 25' Excella has OSB. Fortunately no signs of leaks or floor deterioration.

Poppy