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Winetripper · 06-25-2012, 02:34 AM

This is one of several posts I will make about problems encountered on a recent 2-week trip with my 2007 25' International CCI, from Southern California to the Tetons in Wyoming.

In Southern Idaho, driving into a heavy quartering headwind from my left front, I suddenly saw in my mirror that my port side plexiglas window rock guard had come loose and had been turned back on its hinges, where it hung, flapping in the wind. I stopped immediately and found the guard's frame was bent, there was a chip missing from the plexiglass and there was a crease in the trailer body from the impact of the guard being slammed back. I could not put it back in place, so I lifted it off the hinges and stowed it in the tow vehicle.

I purchased the trailer in February from the original owner who had just had it inspected and detailed. We had taken a couple of trips with it, including 800 miles RT to Death Valley, and had driven over 1500 miles on this trip, all without any incident with the rock guards.

It's going to cost me about $500 to have the guard replaced - and it's not even in stock.

This never should have happened. A guard that comes loose from its attachment fittings never should fly backwards, but mine did because of very poor design:

1) the hinges should be on the side wrapping around to the front of the trailer, like the aluminum rock guard below it. A loose guard might rattle and flap, but it would not slam around backwards, deform and break.

2) the riveted on aluminum receiver slots into which the two very small quarter-turn pegs engage to hold the guard on are insufficient to keep the pegs in place when the trailer is buffeted by high winds. Both of mine were unable to lock the pegs in because they had been deformed too much. A much more robust system should be used to secure the guard.

I am shocked that such an expensive RV like the Airstream would have a design that is both foolishly illogical and flimsy.

Check your guard pegs for tightness, using a large flat screwdriver. They lock with a quarter turn. Make sure they are secure. Check them again if you're driving into strong winds. Good luck!

AtomicNo13 · 06-25-2012, 05:09 AM

Sorry to hear of your trouble. I had this happen once... made a real mess of an otherwise perfect body! I agree, the hinges are on the wrong side, and the little rubber deals are way too light to hold them closed. This is high on my parenoia list of things to check, check, and then recheck again.
I hope you find one soon!

ROBERT CROSS · 06-25-2012, 08:33 AM

X2....

Plus an allen head would make them much easier to secure/lock properly.

Hope the repair goes smoothly.

Bob

ZoomZoom · 06-25-2012, 08:42 AM

Insurance should cover replacement of both the Rockguard and the dented segment, we have it why be afraid to use insurance?

Greg

Friday · 06-25-2012, 09:23 AM

I towed my Airstream 1600km to have them replace the 'quarter-turn' fasteners (among other repairs). They replaced 3 of them, deeming one to be OK. The OK one failed on the way home.

Let's get together and write a book about crappy Airstream builds and crappy Airstream service.

sakthorp · 06-25-2012, 10:48 AM

A sticky note on known issues/preventative maintenance would be helpful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Friday

I towed my Airstream 1600km to have them replace the 'quarter-turn' fasteners (among other repairs). They replaced 3 of them, deeming one to be OK. The OK one failed on the way home.

Let's get together and write a book about crappy Airstream builds and crappy Airstream service.

Denis4x4 · 07-04-2012, 12:55 PM

How much would it cost Airstream to put Dzus fasteners on instead of those cheap Southco pins that lose their holding power within a year?

Sticky notes are worthless if the initial substandard component was used to cut costs.

My biggest fear is if I put my AS up for sale and somebody interested in buying it does a search of all of my posts, it'll kill the sale!

I'm ordering some Dzus fasteners from Speedway Motors and will posts the results.

Gene · 07-04-2012, 02:41 PM

We haven't had Wine's experience, but did find one of the quarter turn screws wasn't holding well. I keep a giant broad tipped screw driver with us because nothing else will tighten those screws well, but they are part of a poor design. The center rock guard should hold the side ones in place too, but a good blast of wind may push them past it.

Post suggestions for improved Airstreams here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...box-92597.html

Gene

ROBERT CROSS · 07-04-2012, 02:45 PM

Dennis,

On the lexan window protectors...right?

Post some pic's, am wondering if the spring base of the dzus will mount on the OEM base. There's so many styles of the D's, hard to be sure which ones to order.

Don't worry about a perspective buyer....most of what we "bitch" about, we end up fixing anyway. Actually makes a pretty good selling point, don't 'ya think.

Bob

Denis4x4 · 07-04-2012, 03:49 PM

Here's the measurement guide on Dzus fasteners. Should work to retain the front tinted plexiglas pano covers. I think that the Southco pins are not lined up when they're installed at the factory causing them to wear and no longer hold.

http://static.speedwaymotors.com/ima...Dzus_guide.jpg

Gene · 07-04-2012, 04:02 PM

Dennis, thanks for the picture, but how do they work? Does it have a screw head? It looks like a spring keeps tension and they stay tight.

How are they installed?

Gene

Cracker · 07-04-2012, 05:36 PM

I haven't experienced the problem - but it seems like two or three shock cords in the right length might work real well as a "safety."

Denis4x4 · 07-04-2012, 05:54 PM

Gene.....they install with pop rivets....very similar to the way the southco is installed. Will order some tomorrow and report back.

Gene · 07-04-2012, 06:07 PM

Thanks Dennis.

Gene

ZoomZoom · 07-04-2012, 06:59 PM

There's plenty of metal mass at the dzus socket, I've recommended to customers that they could use a 1" long #8 SMS instead of the dzus fasteners, if you need new fasteners they're available at Aircraft Spruce

Greg

Sailor-d · 07-04-2012, 10:51 PM

A few weeks ago I unfastened the curved panoramic windown covers on my new Safari 22FB to clean out leaves etc. I was shocked by the mickey mouse fasteners and their poor alignment. It was a two person struggle to get the fasteners closed again and now I see this thread! No wonder I spend more time checking the rear views than the road ahead. I had some sheet metal screws (I think that's what SMS meant) and a one inch is certainly too long and a #8 doesn't seem to grab. I am anxiously checking this thread for the work-around. Echoing all "why the hell can't Airstream step up and fix this". I'm starting to have a "Mojave" moment...

Cheers - Dave

4RXLA · 07-04-2012, 11:44 PM

Winetripper, I think I passed you going the opposite direction on US highway 20 east of Arco Idaho. It was very windy that day and I saw an Airstream pulled off to the side of the road with a broken rock guard.

redwoodguy · 07-05-2012, 01:16 AM

I opened mine for the first time three days ago while doing a thorough wash. I inspected the design carefully. It is a real hazard at highway speeds. It has no safety catch.

Yes, we are all concerned about damage to our trailer bodies. But worse yet will be when this breaks off and goes flying into someone's windshield behind me. I will now have to craft a completely functional safety catch where nothing was provided.

Naper · 07-05-2012, 04:27 AM

I can tell you from personal experience it's good to check the side windows to make sure they are latched closed. They fly off real nice!!!

ROBERT CROSS · 07-05-2012, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor-d

A few weeks ago I unfastened the curved panoramic windown covers on my new Safari 22FB to clean out leaves etc. I was shocked by the mickey mouse fasteners and their poor alignment. It was a two person struggle to get the fasteners closed again and now I see this thread! No wonder I spend more time checking the rear views than the road ahead. I had some sheet metal screws (I think that's what SMS meant) and a one inch is certainly too long and a #8 doesn't seem to grab. I am anxiously checking this thread for the work-around. Echoing all "why the hell can't Airstream step up and fix this". I'm starting to have "Mojave"moment...

Cheers - Dave

Again....IMHO... it's not so much the latch, its the install. Ours are lined up well,

surprise surprise

No stretching or bending needed to close, just a firm push and turn. The pins show no signs of excess ware and they still hold securely if closed and locked properly. An allen or phillips head would make that a lot easier.
I do open and check on a regular basis.

Leaves etc....

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwoodguy

I opened mine for the first time three days ago while doing a thorough wash. I inspected the design carefully. It is a real hazard at highway speeds. It has no safety catch.

Yes, we are all concerned about damage to our trailer bodies. But worse yet will be when this breaks off and goes flying into someone's windshield behind me. I will now have to craft a completely functional safety catch where nothing was provided.

Red,

How about the stretch rubber latches that secure the center protector?, or just drill the bracket, stainless machine/self tapping screw with loc-tite.

Bob