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perryg114 · 10-27-2011, 01:59 PM

So where does one get these segment protectors and how much do they cost? Do you have to butcher your Airstream to install these things? They look to be made of stainless steel.

If these things cost as much as I paid for my Airstream what is the point?

Perry

**Kevin245** · 10-27-2011, 02:23 PM

If your rig isn't worth much then you might not want to pay the cost. They are made of stainless steel, and are bulky to ship so finding a local dealer may help keep your cost down.

ODMRV has them on sale right now.

Stainless Steel Wrap Protectors 1982 and Prior SKU9795 [9795] - $536.58 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

Aviator · 10-27-2011, 07:23 PM

found mine on ebay, but they were still $300 plus shipping. That is still better then a hole from a rock in my lower segment!

idroba · 10-27-2011, 07:36 PM

I had them on one of my Airstreams, had them put on at the factory. I was disappointed that they dented up like the AL panels, and over time looked no better. They looked nice when new, however. So, my opinion is they add cost, weight, and clutter, for no real advantage. If you want to dress up an old battered front, maybe. At least they will look good for a while, but they do dent.

Like putting slip covers on a sofa, to save it for some other person? Grin.

Getahobby · 10-27-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idroba

I had them on one of my Airstreams, had them put on at the factory. I was disappointed that they dented up like the AL panels, and over time looked no better. They looked nice when new, however. So, my opinion is they add cost, weight, and clutter, for no real advantage. If you want to dress up an old battered front, maybe. At least they will look good for a while, but they do dent.

Like putting slip covers on a sofa, to save it for some other person? Grin.

Not so much to preserve the looks, but to protect the skin from possible holes from stones. Stainless steel will dent, but it's much harder to pierce it.

CanoeStream · 10-27-2011, 07:55 PM

Hi Perry. Any Airstream dealer can order these for you. This should cut the shipping costs if you can go pick them up. Airstream.com's dealer search at the top of their page shows dealers in Montevallo, AL, Anniston, AL, Louisville TN and Alpharetta, GA.

Be sure to tell them the year of your trailer -- Airstreams became 6" wider in 1994.

I've dented up my segment protectors -- would rather have the dents there than on the actual trailer skin.

perryg114 · 10-27-2011, 07:56 PM

Well I think putting some mud flaps on the truck will help some. Most if not all the rocks that are going to hit that area are from the truck tires. This is why they are so low down on the corners, maybe no higher than 1ft above the belly band. Any higher than that and they would hit the bottom of the truck instead of the trailer.

Perry

dznf0g · 10-27-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idroba

I had them on one of my Airstreams, had them put on at the factory. I was disappointed that they dented up like the AL panels, and over time looked no better. They looked nice when new, however. So, my opinion is they add cost, weight, and clutter, for no real advantage. If you want to dress up an old battered front, maybe. At least they will look good for a while, but they do dent.

Like putting slip covers on a sofa, to save it for some other person? Grin.

BUT, because they are removable and stainless, the dents roll out very nicely with a body dolly. Pulled mine off this summer and worked them. From 5 feet away you can't see any dents. Up close you can see the "pocks" where metal had been displaced, but NO dents!

Also, if they get bad, they are A LOT cheaper than replacing the segments!

HiHoAgRV · 10-27-2011, 08:04 PM

Perry,
New Market, huh? I lived in Hazel Green for a few years...still have friends there...

An alternate reason to install Segment Protectors is to cover existing damage!

Anyway...It's just a few screw holes in the front for the hinges...the side mounts are pretty important...they are riveted stand-offs and If ya only install 1 per side (Like my '91 had)...it's possible that they will rip out.

perryg114 · 10-27-2011, 08:12 PM

I have seen some on the newer trailers that looked like they were made out of Lexan.

Perry

dznf0g · 10-27-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Perry,
New Market, huh? I lived in Hazel Green for a few years...still have friends there...

An alternate reason to install Segment Protectors is to cover existing damage!

Anyway...It's just a few screw holes in the front for the hinges...the side mounts are pretty important...they are riveted stand-offs and If ya only install 1 per side (Like my '91 had)...it's possible that they will rip out.

Yeah, 2 standoffs per side is necessary.

ROBERT CROSS · 10-28-2011, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

Well I think putting some mud flaps on the truck will help some. Most if not all the rocks that are going to hit that area are from the truck tires. This is why they are so low down on the corners, maybe no higher than 1ft above the belly band. Any higher than that and they would hit the bottom of the truck instead of the trailer.

Perry

TOWtector works well..

Bob

Bill M. · 10-28-2011, 06:30 AM

I pull a 25 year old trailer witout the segment guards. The trailer has taken a beating. One hole, several more near punctures, big dent that required removing and re-sealing the bottom band. If you have a fairly new trailer I would reccomend the segment protectors. I choose not to add them to an old one that already had dents. I have the full width mudflap on the truck. It does not keep stuff from hitting the trailer. The bigestst dent came from a piece of wood, like a 2x4, in the road. Saw it, but could not dodge it. Mud flaps did not stop it. End on into the trailer.
I think segment protectors cost about $800. More important, I think, are the rockguards for the curved window on front.

adonh · 07-02-2012, 03:16 PM

I ordered my Segment "Wrap" protectors from Out of Doors Mart for my 1976 31' Sovereign and they arrived today. They had the best price that I could find even better than ordering from an Airstream dealer or shop.

I will post some pictures of the install and finished project.

perryg114 · 07-02-2012, 05:53 PM

I think Outdoors Mart is an AS dealer.

Perry

adonh · 07-03-2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

I think Outdoors Mart is an AS dealer.

Perry

Yes they are an Airstream Dealer. I meant more local to me here in Houston TX. Although there are no Airstream dealers here there are dealers in San Antonio and a and some service shops that I checked with and the going price was $750+ which did not include shipping.

perryg114 · 07-03-2012, 10:41 AM

I have thought of making some segment protectors that mount on a frame that is attached to the a-frame in the front behind the tanks. I could probably make the frame out of aluminum and put stainless skins over it or I might be able to put Kevlar or Beta Cloth over them and paint them silver. I have some of the latter at work. We have some aluminized Beta Cloth already, just a thought. The frame would mean no attachment to the skins.

Perry

adonh · 07-04-2012, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adonh

I ordered my Segment "Wrap" protectors

I will post some pictures of the install and finished project.

OK I have one installed one side. Looks good. Doing it by myself took a little longer. It would have helped to have someone holding the wrap while measuring for the holes to drill for the hinge. But I got it done. As usual the instructions left a lot to be desired. The reference pictures are not that good and the instruction are a little vague in spots. But once you get going it seems to all fall in line. They included all of the parts, screws and rivets. But the small stainless steel rivets would not fit in the predrilled holes in the brackets that hold the wrap to the sides. So you have to drill these out to match the size of the rivets.

Pictures after the 2nd one is installed tomorrow.

adonh · 07-06-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adonh

OK I have one installed one side. Looks good. Doing it by myself took a little longer. It would have helped to have someone holding the wrap while measuring for the holes to drill for the hinge. But I got it done. As usual the instructions left a lot to be desired. The reference pictures are not that good and the instruction are a little vague in spots. But once you get going it seems to all fall in line. They included all of the parts, screws and rivets. But the small stainless steel rivets would not fit in the predrilled holes in the brackets that hold the wrap to the sides. So you have to drill these out to match the size of the rivets.

Pictures after the 2nd one is installed tomorrow.

All done. They look real good and the black roll on the wrap matches the new black roll on the Airstream.

Don

Eagle & Bear · 10-15-2012, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

I have thought of making some segment protectors that mount on a frame that is attached to the a-frame in the front behind the tanks. I could probably make the frame out of aluminum and put stainless skins over it or I might be able to put Kevlar or Beta Cloth over them and paint them silver. I have some of the latter at work. We have some aluminized Beta Cloth already, just a thought. The frame would mean no attachment to the skins.

Perry

Two years ago I made cardboard templates for the segment protectors and took them to a sheet metal shop in Sacramento, CA. They told me that it would cost $600 for the stainless steel and the cuts. If someone can find a sheet metal shop that will make 20 - 40 of the segment protectors for less than $200 a pair I suspect that there are enough vintage owners who would be interested in buying them.