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10-22-2003, 02:21 PM
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#121
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,475
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Hey, in mid Jan/Feb, if it hits 30, I consider that swimming weather out on that big pond we have to the east of us!
Eric
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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10-22-2003, 07:00 PM
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#122
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BAUXITE
2004 25' Classic
homosassa
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 50
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Picked up my new 04 Classic Monday. It was manf. in Sept of 03. Few minor things were corrected before delivery,bal. looks OK at this time. On the sheet listing the specifications sheet for this particular trailer,Airstream listed tape deck and CD player. I did not need both but figured it was included in the price. When I called Airstream at the time of delivery, a VP said it was their error and it should have read CD player only. Thought they would offer some small adjustment but the jest of it was that they would not do anything about it, it was a simple error on thier part! Another suprise (it was listed correctly on the spec. sheet), they did not include a spare tire. Another critique would be two outside storage/water access compartments. Both were painted white and even thought the unit was less than a monthe old rusting was evident. Why not galvanized or stainless ? My last AS was a 2002 Safari w/ upgrade package and they included spare. So much for that...... We are takeing a two week trip the first of Nov. and can probable give better input on any quality issues on the 04's. Another issue....... the 02 Safari pulled like a dream. Truck could blow by me at 25mph faster and no sway.Never used the anti-sway bar. This was on a hitch height of 18 1/4". The spec on the Classic is a 1" higher. The hitch ball height was changed on the Classic to 19". Considerable sway was noticed at diff. tensions on the bar. I know the hitch weight and GVWR are diff. but would not expect this much diff. pulling with an Excursion. After laying out all that money for the Classic, I am chocking at the price of a Hensley. Any suggestions?
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10-22-2003, 07:41 PM
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#123
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,475
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Ed,
I can't say if the Hensley is the thing...there are some strong opinons on it, but I will say that I had the same B.S. with my Bambi where they made mistakes on the sticker window sheet that didn't match the reality.
I sent Streamer from the airstreamer forum (he works for the company), some observations and this was one of them.
I know Streamer is busy, but I never heard anything back, so I am not sure what the results were, but I know what you went through....my issue was that the black tanks was rated at 8 and/or 18 gallons, few knew the right answer...I finally did get it, but it took an act of Congress...
Thanks very much for posting your info!
Eric
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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10-22-2003, 10:26 PM
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#124
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,054
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Classic sway problems
Quote:
the 02 Safari pulled like a dream. Truck could blow by me at 25mph faster and no sway.Never used the anti-sway bar. This was on a hitch height of 18 1/4". The spec on the Classic is a 1" higher. The hitch ball height was changed on the Classic to 19". Considerable sway was noticed at diff. tensions on the bar. I know the hitch weight and GVWR are diff. but would not expect this much diff. pulling with an Excursion.
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I'm surprised that you are having sway problems. I brought my 2003 Classic 25 home yesterday and then to the storage yard today in a strong crosswind using my old 550# bars and no sway bar and there was absolutely no hint of sway.
My 2003 Classic 25 specs the hitch height at 18 3/4". My ball was at 20 1/2" because I don't have the long shank yet for the new truck. With the 550# bars, the hitch height was just about right when hooked up.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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10-22-2003, 10:59 PM
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#125
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Moderator

2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,653
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I was informed that our build date will be December 9th or 16th on the Classic. Due to the plant shutdown for the holidays I was warned that the trailer may not get to the dealership until January.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500,'14 Honda CTX 700
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10-23-2003, 12:10 AM
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#126
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,785
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Production date -where?
greetings, you lucky new trailer guys!
I went back to the dealer early this week, again checked out the new trailers.
All but one of the CCD's were gone, but plenty 04 Safaris, mostly 25 footers. I could not detect crucial problems with any of them, other than some irregularities on moldings and poorly fitting cabinet doors, and some delaminating on folding work tops. On one of the Safaris, I cold not get a few of the lights to work. Coulda been operator error. I tried to find production dates, but they all had segment protectors and I could not find the tag with the information. Is it under the segment protectors?
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10-23-2003, 12:30 AM
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#127
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Cartoon Character
2004 34' Classic
On The Road
, U.S.A.
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 885
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Quote:
Originally posted by jcanavera
I was informed that our build date will be December 9th or 16th on the Classic. Due to the plant shutdown for the holidays I was warned that the trailer may not get to the dealership until January.
Jack
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Questions:
When did you order your trailer?
How long is the shutdown for?
Do you have a VIN yet?
I was told that my order would probably start during the second week of January ... but that is not official.
__________________
Porky
TrailerGypsies.com
WBCCI #3405 — Escapees #80360
I live the life I love and I love the life I live.
-- Willie Dixon
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10-23-2003, 07:46 AM
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#128
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,475
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The unit specifics are located on the streetside front, there is a little square stamped piece of metal...on it, it should include, VIN, GVWR and manufac date.
I gotta call the dealer, he told me I should have a VIN by now.....and if Jack has an expected delivery date, I should at least have gotten an ultrasound by now....
Eric
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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10-23-2003, 04:31 PM
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#129
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,054
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First fix
I noticed that the window curtain was drooping at the entry door end. When I tried to snap it back, I found that the snap had been installed right up against another screw and there was no way the curtain would snap in place.
I removed 2 screws so that I could pivot the valance outward and drilled a hole to relocate the snap about 1/4 inch. The snap was wedged so tightly against the other screw that I had a very difficult time removing either one. Works fine now.
Neither the factory nor the dealer picked this one up.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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10-23-2003, 07:28 PM
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#130
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Rivet Master 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 917
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It's like Chrismas around here!
Silvertwinkie's moving up in size!
Jack's moving up to in options and quality!
John's ditto!
And Porky is starting off with the townhouse!
Good Airstreaming to all!!!!
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10-23-2003, 08:12 PM
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#131
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Cartoon Character
2004 34' Classic
On The Road
, U.S.A.
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 885
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__________________
Porky
TrailerGypsies.com
WBCCI #3405 — Escapees #80360
I live the life I love and I love the life I live.
-- Willie Dixon
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10-23-2003, 10:59 PM
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#132
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Moderator

2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,653
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Quote:
Originally posted by Porky Pig
Questions:
When did you order your trailer?
How long is the shutdown for?
Do you have a VIN yet?
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I signed my contract on Sept 27th although I don't know when the order actually went in. I turned in the Safari to my dealer on October 11th and it seems that things went into gear at that point. We got a call shortly thereafter about an interior color conflict on the order that Airstream caught. Dealer gave me dates on the trailer build on Oct 22nd.
My sales person did not know what the shutdown time was other than it was significant.
No VIN at this point.
At this point I am hitch and receiver shopping since the Classic will come in with a hitch weight greater than my factory supplied receiver on my GMC van is rated for. At this point my decision is to either go with the new Reese strait-line hitch and Titan receiver or go with an Equal-i-zer.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500,'14 Honda CTX 700
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10-24-2003, 09:22 AM
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#133
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,475
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Got the info!!
This AM, I just received my build date info and VIN number.
The new "Silvertwinkie SS" is scheduled for production on 11/17/03!
:-)
Eric
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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10-24-2003, 10:37 AM
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#134
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4 Rivet Member 
2004 25' Safari
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 424
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My .02 on quality control. We were at Jackson Center on 09-29 & 09-30. While there we of course took the factory tour & my take on the issuses is what Jack brought up regarding, to many workers, materials, etc, in to small of a place, trying to make more units than the factory is designed to produce. We went thru the whole assembly line & it appeared to me that there is only the one line, with all different models be made, in no apparent order. In fact I asked how they knew what went where & the guide said that somewhere (?) they had a sheet telling what they were building. In the production line, one would be a Bambi, next would be a Safari, etc. They did allow us to enter & also take pictures of some of the shells, but once the interiors went in, then we could only look thru the windows & doors. By watching the units being born ( if you will ), it made me feel much better regarding the items one cannot see. I can't say if it is a new QC thing, but once the unit is completed it ends up in a defined area set aside by painted yellow lines. We were not allowed to enter this area or to see the finished units, being told these were sold units & that the workers were going over them for items not up to par. Seeing this it's hard for me to comprehend how units can leave with apparent visual & structural problems. I would think that those on the end of the line would see the imperfections & take the necessary corrective action. After it is all said & done I believe the final inspection area is where A/S comes up short. Short on space, to many different units on line at the same time, etc, still is NO REASON for any unit to pass the final inspection with abvious defects. After seeing all of this I still believe they put together a good RV, however--- there also appears to me they may still have problems. We did find most employees very helpful & courteous & enjoyed visiting the factory. BTW we have a 02 19' Bambi & really have had no serious problems--so far. The Bambi is now in bed for the Minnesota winter season.
Best,
__________________
Home of the Wayward Wind
Bogfrog & Mr. Turbo
If in life you stumble, make it part of the dance
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10-24-2003, 11:05 AM
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#135
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Cartoon Character
2004 34' Classic
On The Road
, U.S.A.
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 885
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Re: Got the info!!
Quote:
Originally posted by Silvertwinkie
This AM, I just received my build date info and VIN number.
The new "Silvertwinkie SS" is scheduled for production on 11/17/03!
:-)
Eric
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Congrats Eric!
By my calcualations it looks like about 7 to 8 weeks from the date of your order for production to begin ... and about 4 weeks to get your VIN and production info.
Looks like you will see your new Safari well before mid-December.
This wait is killing me!
__________________
Porky
TrailerGypsies.com
WBCCI #3405 — Escapees #80360
I live the life I love and I love the life I live.
-- Willie Dixon
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10-24-2003, 11:36 AM
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#136
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,475
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Re: Re: Got the info!!
Quote:
Originally posted by Porky Pig
Looks like you will see your new Safari well before mid-December.
This wait is killing me!
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I would be a very nice surprise to be able to pick it up before mid December! First camping in the unit will be at the Jackson Center Campground.....(figure while I'm out there if there are any issues I can have them addressed and since I know there won't be any issues, to really just hang there for the factory tour!
The wait is kind of brutal, but I figure the old saying is that good things come to those who wait.....let's all hope so!
Eric
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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10-24-2003, 01:59 PM
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#137
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4 Rivet Member 
2004 25' International CCD
Salem
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 457
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Great news Eric!
conceived in November...delivered in December...that's a rapid gestation. You'll be a happy daddy in no time!
Bought your baby a xmass gift yet??
__________________
Cheers!
KIMILI
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10-24-2003, 02:14 PM
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#138
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,475
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It does go pretty quickly...
I got her some Christmans lights...
Eric
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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10-26-2003, 12:44 PM
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#139
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,475
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More data
Ok, here is some info that I received from some owners that just took delivery of a '04 25' Safari yesterday.
From what they told me, the unit was built very well and had next to zero found flaws.
The unit build date was 6/03.
Eric
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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10-26-2003, 01:33 PM
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#140
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,054
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Things are getting better
My two Airstreams were built almost exactly 12 months apart and the difference in quality is night and day. Everyone here has surely read about all of the many problems I found in the 2003 International AS; flood, malformed door frame, miswired vent fan, etc., etc.
I have spent a week now readying my 2003 Classic, built 4/03, for my first trip. With the exception of a stain on the bathroom wall which was known at delivery and will be covered with a mirror, my total "finds" to date is one misplaced curtain snap.
To date, I am a very happy camper.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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