Takeaways from the front end separation (FES) saga

[2link2]

Just an FYI on our FES repair search on a 2017 25' FB FC. We have a quote from Vinnys for $4.3K, & 3 quotes from 5 rivet dealers on the West coast using the AS brackets.

One dealer who said they do a lot of them was for $1.5k-2.5K depending on actual time spent. They also said that the majority of the ones they have done were towed with a Hensley hitch ? 2nd dealer seemed not real familiar with the repair but have done a few and they quoted $3.6K based on there last repair. The 3rd dealer quoted $2k-3K depending on time spent. My wife called JC too see if they might be willing to help with repair costs, they treated Her like She was an idiot for reading stuff on the internet. And user problems such as bottoming out the trailer or wrong hitch caused the FES problem. I'm going to ring em back and if I get same response I'm going to ask them if it's user caused problem why are you repairing these under warranty ? & if it wasn't for the internet AS sales would probably be 1/2 of what they are.

We will most likely end up at Vinnys due to the repair being more substantial than the the AS brackets.

[ExploreUT]

I would suggest that anyone scheduled or contemplating having the FES repair completed to have the repair technician/shop take several pictures before and after to document the fix. Especially of the type of bracket or part installed. Strongly suspect JC requires this from repair shop’s requesting warranty based payments.

This will provide confirmation for you, and any potential future owner of the rig. It would be a question I ask of a seller to be sure it was documented.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by ExploreUT

I would suggest that anyone scheduled or contemplating having the FES repair completed to have the repair technician/shop take several pictures before and after to document the fix. Especially of the type of bracket or part installed. Strongly suspect JC requires this from repair shop’s requesting warranty based payments.

This will provide confirmation for you, and any potential future owner of the rig. It would be a question I ask of a seller to be sure it was documented.

Good suggestion. Thanks!

[GOUSC]

Originally Posted by ExploreUT

I would suggest that anyone scheduled or contemplating having the FES repair completed to have the repair technician/shop take several pictures before and after to document the fix. Especially of the type of bracket or part installed. Strongly suspect JC requires this from repair shop’s requesting warranty based payments.

This will provide confirmation for you, and any potential future owner of the rig. It would be a question I ask of a seller to be sure it was documented.

Agreed. I had the repair done a few years ago. 2 fixes prior to this current one. The Tech told me that they were going to through bolt the brackets. The fix later failed and I had it re-done by a third-party. When the third-party did the fix, they noticed that the brackets were only screwed in and that was never going to hold. The repair was done around the Covid timeframe and customers were not allowed back in the area to see the status of the repair so pictures are a good idea.

[Moonshot0804]

Where in NC would someone go to have FES repaired? Has Airstream fixed this problem should I decided to buy a 2024 23ft International FBT?

[DutchB]

Originally Posted by bzizzi

My 2021 27FBQ GT goes to Jackson Center for repair in a couple of weeks, my GT has front storage hatch, also has indentations on the lower corners, I tested as instructed, bounced up and down on rear bumper with my iPhone camera capturing video and I could see the aluminum flexing in both corners. I do not have any torn aluminum or sheared off rivets but my Airstream hasn't been towed very much, prob under 1000mi since new, the dimples weren't there when new and I already sealed up the gaps that developed in the corners twice. I was told an updated repair from original repair is now being used and it's the same bracket used on all new Airstream models with front storage hatch. The service facility at Jackson Center couldn't have been more polite over the phone and the repair will take about six or more hours and will be completed in one day while I wait.
I wasn't sure whether or not to have this repair done but after doing the test as instructed and giving the crew at Jackson Center my vin number they pretty much assured me this should be done. I think Airstream is a great company and stands behind their products. I have called them a handful of times and nobody knows Airstreams like the Airstream factory personal. The guys on the phone have built these trailers for fifteen or more years before taking a customer support job.

This issue, a dimple, has been spotted in my 2021 GT 27ft FBT. Was the repair done under warranty?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Moonshot0804

Where in NC would someone go to have FES repaired? Has Airstream fixed this problem should I decided to buy a 2024 23ft International FBT?

The 23' models are not affected by FES; primarily has been larger 25', 27', FB models I believe. Get a rear bed model and you will be fine. Rear Twin model even better; more sleeping surface with twin beds, more storage inside/outside; better access to inside storage and also changing area between the beds, makes it easier to make up. Just a suggestion!

[Caffeinated]

File this under the “for what it’s worth” file. I have a 2015 27 ft FC FBQ. Bought it new in ‘15. Original tow rig was a 1/2 ton Chevy. Now tow it with a F150 crew cab short bed. Longest trip was from home (Portland Oregon) to Kentucky, gone for two months. Been to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, Cody, Redwoods, Olympic Pennisula, S Calif. multiple times. Hitch is a Blue Ox with 750 lb bars. No, as in zero, FES. For what it’s worth.

Mike

[bzizzi]

Originally Posted by DutchB

This issue, a dimple, has been spotted in my 2021 GT 27ft FBT. Was the repair done under warranty?

Yes, this repair was indeed done under warranty at no cost to me, I have towed my GT over 1000mi since repair and all looks good. No popped rivets, still sealed up and no signs of anything moving around.

[sfranklin]

Originally Posted by Caffeinated

File this under the “for what it’s worth” file. I have a 2015 27 ft FC FBQ. Bought it new in ‘15. Original tow rig was a 1/2 ton Chevy. Now tow it with a F150 crew cab short bed. Longest trip was from home (Portland Oregon) to Kentucky, gone for two months. Been to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, Cody, Redwoods, Olympic Pennisula, S Calif. multiple times. Hitch is a Blue Ox with 750 lb bars. No, as in zero, FES. For what it’s worth.

Mike

I think one of the contributing factors to your success is that you didn't put bars on that exceeded 800lbs for your specific application. I strongly feel if you had placed 1000lb bars or even larger, you would have seen some dimpling that would have eventually led to FES. Keep in mind also you've been also towing with 1/2 ton, which typically has a softer ride than a 3/4 or 1 ton, which I also feel plays into the mix in a small part, which is why I have the airsafe air bag hitch on my 3/4 ton.

Originally Posted by bzizzi

Yes, this repair was indeed done under warranty at no cost to me, I have towed my GT over 1000mi since repair and all looks good. No popped rivets, still sealed up and no signs of anything moving around.

I think that if you wind up with the issue and reach out to the factory, even if it's out of warranty, they have been pretty good about repairing them on their dime as they come. Mine was rejected at first, but now that they might be rebuilding mine due to it being in a bad tornado with baseball sized hail, they committed to doing the FES repair during the rebuild as a warranty issue. In the interim, they noted my serial number before the tornado came and told me if it gets worse, my trailer's serial number is in their system and they would revisit.