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Old 06-26-2015, 04:39 PM   #1
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Airstream Build......What happens!

Wondering, when a build is scheduled & starts is the shell attached to the chassis before hand ready to be moved to the line or is that when the shell is built? I've watched the Airstream YouTube video & it seems like the shells are pre built rather built to order. My AS is in the process now, taking 4 days (presuming Friday is the last day of the work week) coming off the the line Monday, seem like a lot to do in 4 days.
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Old 06-26-2015, 05:06 PM   #2
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This is where a visit to the factory and taking the tour would be helpful. Every Airstream is custom ordered and hand built. Your shell will be custom built to match your frame according to the order placed by you and your dealer. It all starts with your build sheet and progresses to a finished trailer as it rolls off the line. It is certainly a lot of very skilled hand custom work from start to finish.
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Old 06-26-2015, 05:12 PM   #3
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As a lowly "potential owner", I'm just curious why AS hasn't done something to address the many floor rot complaints that I see on this forum. They could use marine grade plywood, they could use honeycomb aluminum or some sort of protective coating. But, it doesn't appear that they have done much of anything. Not bashing, just curious since this is a substantial investment.

Chief, I only say that in response to your post above about the high quality custom hand building of the units. If that's the case, why so many leaks??
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Old 06-26-2015, 05:52 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by northmeck025 View Post
As a lowly "potential owner", I'm just curious why AS hasn't done something to address the many floor rot complaints that I see on this forum. They could use marine grade plywood, they could use honeycomb aluminum or some sort of protective coating. But, it doesn't appear that they have done much of anything. Not bashing, just curious since this is a substantial investment.

Chief, I only say that in response to your post above about the high quality custom hand building of the units. If that's the case, why so many leaks??
It's kinda like why nuts and bolts fall off a new Harley; it's cheaper to have an owner put Locktite on every nut and bolt than paying a factory worker to do it.

I have used Coosa board to replace my subfloor as it's waterproof, mold/mildew proof and 45% lighter than the plywood equivalent......but it's expensive. At over $250.00 a sheet compared to say $30 or less for OSB board or $150 or less for marine plywood it cuts into the profit margin. It also would take away future sales as an owner wouldn't trade his or her Stream in if the floor was good.

Unfortunately we have become a society of bling; it doesn't matter how well its built because I'm going to trade it in for a new one in a couple of years.

If I were to order a trailer from Airstream I would deliver the Coosa to the factory for it myself, but that's just me. I'm the guy that has spent a lot of money and thousands of hours renovating a 1983 310 turbo diesel that I can count on one hand how many times I've slept in it.

Cheers
Tony
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Old 06-26-2015, 05:58 PM   #5
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Certainly if they were made entirely from titanium they would last longer making any leaks all but inconsequential.

Nothing can ever be built too well.
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Old 06-26-2015, 06:01 PM   #6
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There is ALWAYS a balance between quality and economy, and frankly, it is my opinion that Airstreams are already overpriced.

These trailers do not lend themselves to component assembly that is all the rage these days and are therefore very labor intensive to build.
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Old 06-26-2015, 06:08 PM   #7
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I watched a Tab being built, just amazing, two hours, not an airstream and much smaller, the American assembly line alive and well in the US. The trays of parts, nuts, bolts and screws, every little detail.
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