What Caused This on 2011?

[ncbambi]

Hi All,

In viewing some pics of 2011 27fb, noticed in the side views that there were these puckers in the skins directly above, in front of the forward axles. Curiously, these occur on both sides in the exact place.

Any ideas?

[dznf0g]

I have noticed one such area on my 07 Classic. When the side is in direct sunlight, the skin expands and the "pucker" shows up. As soon as the sun passes overhead, the skin cools and it disappears. It comes and goes on any warm sunny day. Cloudy days, or when the awning is deployed, it never shows up.

[newroswell]

Our 25FB did the same. It would ripple in the sun just like that.

[ncbambi]

Good to hear that this is a temporary situation. Thought I was seeing things at first, and then began wondering what the ## could cause that!

[subfan1]

I hope you are not buying it? I wouldn't. Something is wrong, the material should not change like that under any heating or cooling conditions.

[dznf0g]

In fact you can see my wave if you blow up my avitar pic. Behind the wheels below the beltline. This pic was taken on a warm July day just before noon....by the shadows.

[pmclemore]

The skin must have a little slack to expand or contract - otherwise if it were too rigid the rivets would pull. My 98 has the same pucker - and everything is nice and snug.

Pat

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by subfan1

I hope you are not buying it? I wouldn't. Something is wrong, the material should not change like that under any heating or cooling conditions.

Any metal will expand and contract under heat and cold. If restrained (riveted) it will be more noticable.

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by subfan1

I hope you are not buying it? I wouldn't. Something is wrong, the material should not change like that under any heating or cooling conditions.

The coefficient of linear expansion for Aluminum is significantly higher than steel or wood which are two of the other primary structural elements used in AS construction. When the trailer sides are warmed by direct sunlight I would expect some distortion to occur unless the manufacturer installed some type of expansion/slip joint, or the trailer was very short. The amount of pucker or buckle is going to be a function of the temperature at the time of build, skin restraint, and the exposure temperatures.

I would not like the look on my rig but the physics make sense.

Kevin

[fmr.capt.evi]

Mine does the same thing, to a lesser degree, in direct sunlight, on a hot day........I decided to watch it for a while before I open that potential can of worms with Airstream.

[dznf0g]

I usually watch for it while I open a potential can of beer! It's characteristic of the material and build method. Not an issue. Part of what makes a Stream a stream....rivits as opposed to staples and slip joints on SOBs.

[tpi]

I've seen this on mine at times, pretty much in the same location as the posted photos. It comes and goes depending on temperature.

My trailer also makes expansion/contraction sounds. They're light sounds but I always can tell when the sun first hits the trailer in the morning just by listening.

[ncbambi]

Thank you all for your replies. It is good to know that when a ?? arises, that there is tons of experience in this forum to set me straight. We pick up our baby in a couple of weeks, and will definitely watch this issue. Definitely will be getting the awning package, when I take it up to Airstream for the first time, and I know there will be warranty items that will have to be taken care of.

Good news is that this trailer was manufactured late August, so filliform and other corrosion issues will not be as much of a factor. We are having the wifi kit that Colonial installs, put on the trailer, so Netflix and Apple TV, here we come.

Will keep all up to date with pics when we take delivery. This is a new color scheme called mica, so it should be fun.

[pmclemore]

We're all on the edge of our seats, waiting to hear all the news and see all your pics.

Happy trails.

Pat

[ncbambi]

Hi Pat,

Well it seems to be a consensus that the direct sun heats up the panels and like anything causes expansion and contraction in doing so. As it heats up you get a dimple, when it cools it goes away. This seems to be localized to longer trailers that have more space exposed between windows, etc.

I am planning on getting the awning package installed spring/summer next year, so this should take care of the sides.

If you have heard your trailer popping, and we all have, this is the expansion and contraction.

Airstream and others have all said the same thing.

I will post pics when I get the trailer in a couple weeks.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by ncbambi

Hi Pat,
I am planning on getting the awning package installed spring/summer next year, so this should take care of the sides.


I will post pics when I get the trailer in a couple weeks.

The awning package will reduce, not eliminate the puckering.

[pmclemore]

You'll love the awning package. Not only functional, but I think they are really dressy. As for the pucker, it's natural and nothing to be concerned about.

I don't think I remember hearing popping, but if I did, I probably dismissed it as being heat-related.

I bet you can't wait, either. I'd be about to bust.

Pat

[Airstreamer@]

After my trailer is exposed to 100+ degrees temperature, then running the AC, I hear a lot of popping as well. This is normal under this circumstance and eventually stops. I haven’t noticed any exterior puckering.

[4RXLA]

For what it's worth, my 77 31 footer has had a noticeable pucker in that same location since it was new and a smaller pucker just aft of the wheel well. They do not go away or get larger in the heat. I've had it checked for frame sag and the frame is fine. I call them the mother pucker and little pucker.

[AlanMcD]

Check out the side pics of this 2010 Flying Cloud. What is causing this whole side to ripple like this and not the other side?

Airstream 2010 25 FB FLYING CLOUD TWIN BEDS