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Druupy · 07-27-2006, 08:20 PM

How many times have I thought about the answer? I just couldn't come up with a short clear easy-to-understand-for-non-RV-types answer.

Because it won't leak,
this year,
next year,
or in 5 years,
but every other SOB will.

A standard built RV trailer "will" leak in 2 years of use, and will rattle apart in 5 years of use. If I camped my RV, in my garage, I could buy anything cheap.
The more you use your RV, the better you will like Airstream.

This video clip of how an SOB is made, screamed to me, It has to leak!!
about 10K of video.

http://www.kitsaplumber.com/Airstream/buildanSOB.wmv

Watch and be astonished. The link will dissapear monday.

leefields · 07-27-2006, 10:09 PM

i dont know too much about airstreams....i do know that the 2 i currently own were built 100*'s better then this...he said they were installing the supports for the tanks....really they were putting in the axles...

i paid 2500 for one of mine and 3000 for the other one....i am much happier going in 5 or 6k each then 15 or 20k on what i just saw in the movie...

but you know in my line of business i see these sob's 100 a day...i just smile and think about that bathroom floor that i removed in the tradewind...

william Haym · 07-27-2006, 10:19 PM

Thanks for giving us the preview of how a Bonair trailer was made.
Yes I'll keep my airstream , they are alot better built.

safari57 · 07-27-2006, 10:19 PM

I had many SOB's as I searched for the Airstream of our dreams. Some of them were very nice, great interiors, very functional, classic lines, but they were not an Airstream and I had that fixation since I was a child and my parents always lusted after one themselves. They also had several SOB's but it was always "until we can afford an Airstream". I have not had one day of disappointment since I got mine. It wasn't just the perceived quality of the "rig" as they called it, but the "look". What it represents in terms of camping in relative luxury. The open road. Long trips - caravans come to mind and the fact that when the Airstreams rolled into town EVERYONE knew it and were amazed. And people still stop and stare when we tow through a town and wave, truckers and other vehicles give thumbs up, kids come and stand in front of it to see how they reflect in the shiny aluminum, when camped and people with brand new units worth ten times or more what ours is and 50 years newer want a tour and are wide eyed and excited. And besides all of the above, I used to work in an SOB plant and I know just how quickly they deteriorate if they are not treated extremely well. The clip just confirms that not much has changed since I moved on.
Barry

redeagle313 · 07-28-2006, 12:47 AM

That clip reminded me of the SOB plant we toured when we were thinking about a class C. After visiting that factory and seeing to build process, we quickly removed that manufacturer from the list. But another visit to a different SOB plant yielded a similar experience.

One trip to Jackson Center SHOWED us how real trailers should be built! Or at least how ours was going to be built. The next trip to an RV manufacturer was back to Jackson Center to watch our TT being built.

redeagle313 · 07-28-2006, 12:53 AM

Dang, another refresh-button induced dupe!

bhayden · 07-28-2006, 01:04 AM

As an Argosy owner there's still a little bit of wana'bee factor involved but just the resale alone if your looking at older trailers is enough to convince me that "Airstream" is the way to go. A few other examples of trailers that used the "aircraft" concept exist but none have endured and none hold their value like an Airstream.

frozen chosen · 07-28-2006, 01:50 PM

I don't know, Druppy, seems as a lot of ASs leak, especially the later models. The video shows them laying a complete WP membrane on the roof; does AS do that? Maybe they do. They then show them doing a positive pressure test for leaks. I know AS sends their TTs through a spray room with a guy inside "looking" for leaks. Is that as effective as the pressure test? Maybe it is.. My take on ASs is that they cost more, and last longer. But don't kid yourself, I can attest to their lack of quality control. Its fine to feel good about owning one, but I don't get real giddy about the quality aspect.

ALANSD · 07-28-2006, 02:48 PM

sorry I love AS as much as anyone, but yes they do sometimes leak and have leaked many times in the past.
Although my Airstream classic motorhome did not.

AYRSTRM2 · 07-28-2006, 02:58 PM

Um they do leak at 40!

SmokelessJoe · 07-28-2006, 04:24 PM

Sergei

Holzarbeiter · 07-28-2006, 04:24 PM

The SOB's leak and most of the AS's I know about have leaked at some point. Two friends of mine bought used campers in the past year. The first one bought a 85 25' AS after years of used SOB's, he found a leak in the rear bedroom under the bed. The second one bought his first camper, a 94 Prowler 5th wheel with a slide, on his 4th camping trip it rained hard and he had numerous roof leaks including a real bad one at the slideout. The thing is that both of them spend the same money at the time of purchase.
The best part of an AS is the way they tow and how they look. That money and time spend on repair and updates will yield a better return then on SOB's. On top of that, it is a twofold hobby

camping and restoration.

Mackhopp · 07-28-2006, 04:54 PM

Absolutely fascinating clip - does anyone have anything like that showing an Airstream being built?

Jim Clark · 07-28-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frozen chosen

I don't know, Druppy, seems as a lot of ASs leak, especially the later models. The video shows them laying a complete WP membrane on the roof; does AS do that? Maybe they do. They then show them doing a positive pressure test for leaks. I know AS sends their TTs through a spray room with a guy inside "looking" for leaks. Is that as effective as the pressure test? Maybe it is.. My take on ASs is that they cost more, and last longer. But don't kid yourself, I can attest to their lack of quality control. Its fine to feel good about owning one, but I don't get real giddy about the quality aspect.

I don’t believe AS installs a water proof membrane due to their design. The membrane installed as one piece on SOB trailers is then penetrated by drain vents, roof vents, and staples. The water proof membrane and the coating applied breaks down to UV exposure, much like the roof on most homes. The aluminum on the AS dose not break down.

My 68 Globetrotter had few leaks by the door and storage access doors. Had the unit received better maintenance over the years this may have been prevented. Not made for a 38 year old unit.

The interior appliances seem to be the standard of the industry. I do like the interior design of trailer better than SOB, but I haven’t seen them all.

The video seemed rather dated as I would like to see the construction of the more modern fiberglass sided fifth wheels.

Our new 2005, put in service in April has not had any major issues. I have glued some Formica edging and flooring in the bathroom. I am very picky as everyone should be. I do think the riveted construction is higher quality without a doubt.

davidz71 · 07-29-2006, 05:50 PM

While I had to track down one leak in my '77 Excella 500 and one in my '86 Sovereign, they were easily fixed with an application of Parbond or Vulkem at a panel seam. I bought my Airstreams for 3 reasons:
1. Aerodynamic
2. Light as compared to other SOB's
3. Cool looking

Druupy · 07-29-2006, 06:20 PM

The original statement: "Why do I have an Airstream?" is the answer to the non enitiated's question.

Yes, a 30 year old Airstream might, "may", leak. But, there is not the "leak guarantee" you get from most other manufacturers.
Now, since fiberglas construction, there are some SOB's that have only 4 seams, and they should be very close to water tight. But I did want a reasonable chance at finding a leak, = skylight, vent, window, hatch cover.
With a standard SOB, you have to consider all "ALL" the seams in the siding.

If my unit leaks, 99% of the time, it will be in one of the penitrations of the monoshell.
I tell people, "the only thing that can kill an Airstream, is water on the inside."

So there it is, I'm just lazy, and don't want the "thrill of the Hunt" for that elusive "source of the Nile" that is gonna wreck my cabinettes and delam the floor. If it's wet===fix it.
Other than closing vents, I haven't had to fix anything for 2 years.
Just lazy.

tin sista · 07-29-2006, 07:18 PM

We went from a tent to an Airstream, and when its raining well you know when you are in a tent.

Lots more reasons to love an Airstream besides rain/weather protection. As a former tenter though, climate control is my fave.

gklott · 07-30-2006, 08:50 AM

In our 2004 Classic, in the first two years, we had leaks
- from the shower onto the floor (not fixed after two returns to dealer),
- twice from a damaged plastic, poorly protected, water tank drain valve,
- from the water line to the toilet onto the floor,
- inside a skylight,
- from the bathroom vent, and
- from a front window.

This was all before the hail storm...

To get fixed, do you want a dealer to remove and reseal a window on a new trailer? Or perhaps you are willing to spend out-of-pocket for a multi-thousand dollar trip to Ohio?

Airstreams do leak, even new ones.

73/gus