Is this the dreaded "Front End Separation"?

[bdravet]

I am looking to purchase an Airstream. I believe that I found one. Double checking these pics that the seller sent. I see that screw holes were moved. What does everyone else think?

[nurselady815]

our front end of our 2020 flying cloud 30 rb, looked just like that .The molding was popping out. We found it at the alumipalooza festival sept 2021. Three techs came to our camp area from the factory and said it was front end seperation. It is covered under warranty but still we are concerned now and to will it happen again.

[Fungus]

Could it be caused by very high weight distribution dialed in? On my F-150, the trailer complained. So did the truck. They seemed to be having a spirited high-pitched conversation about the idiot (that would be me) who cranked up the weight distribution jacks.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Fungus

Could it be caused by very high weight distribution dialed in? On my F-150, the trailer complained. So did the truck. They seemed to be having a spirited high-pitched conversation about the idiot (that would be me) who cranked up the weight distribution jacks.

Not necessarily...it's not how much you have 'dialed' in it's how stiff the WD bars are.
You need only apply what is needed to move the necessary weight with the lightest bars that will move that weight.
How much weight are you trying to move?

To the OP..... It doesn't appear to be separation.
No creases in the skin or tares under the molding.
The belly pan is not a 'structure' part and will move on it's own over time.

More photo's with a larger over view?

Bob
🇺🇸

[nurselady815]

The technicians told me it is the earliest catch they have seen.Bottom line if the rivets behind the molding are loose, popping or missing,it is front end seperation and it is happening to all types of trailers. The longer the trailer the more likely it is to happen.Ours didnt get to the point of creases, skin tears and I am happy I didnt get to that point.It is now sitting on the service lot waiting to be fixed in Jackson Center Ohio. Colin Hyde said in his lecture on this that it is not about the hitch, weight distribution etc, it is a design flaw that has been going on since the mid 1980s and has affected trailers from that date until present. He said in his upstate New York shop he has 14 bays and are full with front and rear end seperation airstreams. his email is colinhydetrailerrestoration.com.I have a 2020.I have an equalizer hitch installed at a hitch specific company in wisconsin and they balanced it to my trailer.my wife packs minimally.My truck and trailer feel fine. It is an easy effortless tow.

[Fungus]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Not necessarily...it's not how much you have 'dialed' in it's how stiff the WD bars are.
You need only apply what is needed to move the necessary weight with the lightest bars that will move that weight.
How much weight are you trying to move?

To the OP..... It doesn't appear to be separation.
No creases in the skin or tares under the molding.
The belly pan is not a 'structure' part and will move on it's own over time.

More photo's with a larger over view?

Bob
🇺🇸

This is from the last trip to the scales...

1. 360# moves from the rear axle of the TV to the front axle of the TV.
2. 100# moves to the trailer.
3. The front fender well is within about a half inch of non-hitched position, which is what I was aiming for as per 3P instructions.
4. Tongue weight at the receiver is a shade over 1100#.
5. ProPride hitch with the 1400# bars that ProPride suggested.
6. 2020 F-150 Lariat with max tow package. 1550# payload capacity when weighed at the scale but the door sticker says 1610#. Only post-manufacturer additions are the RAS and spray-in bed liner.
7. Roadmaster Active Suspension.

The truck squats quite a bit without WD. Hopefully, this was the last time I tow with the 2020 F-150. The 2022 F-250 is sitting in my driveway awaiting its debut voyage in early October. Trying to rack up 1000 miles before towing, as per Ford instructions.

[Bairdj3]

Bob, you said that it's not how much you have 'dialed' in it's how stiff the WD bars are.
My TV is a 2018 GMC 1500 crew cab, AS 2019 27 ft twin Globetrotter. My WD hitch is a Blue Ox Pro 1500 lb bars. Most AS dealer recommend using 1000 lbs bars.
I have not put my loaded rig on a scale, I know I should and will.
Until I do, my question is, I normally tie down my WD using 7 chain links, which gives the bars a slight curve. I would like to tie down 8 chain links, which give me a more stability. Will dialing down 8 chain links damage my AS?

[rideair]

I have a 1996 34' FK this has happened to as well, what's funny the that trim is barely held on by a few pop-rivets in an area that flex's the most going down the road. Not really sure how you can fix the problem.

So, how is this problem fixed?

Enjoy,

[nurselady815]

according to Colin Hyde it is a design flaw and anything after the early 80's may do it. He has a shop in Plattville Ny and has for 20 years fixing and restoring airstreams. He was speaker at the Alumapalooza rally we went to. He said he did inform the factory of this but they didn't want to go with the extra cost to prevent it.(I don't work for him just went to his seminar)