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Old 10-23-2020, 09:47 AM   #1
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Is This Acceptable Roof Work?

I hope you don't mind me asking this question, but I was a bit taken back when I climbed on a ladder to view my the roof of my new 2021 Interstate GT.

Please note, I came from the Prevost world and while an Interstate costs around 10% of the price of a new bus conversion, I was a bit dismayed when I saw the installation of the satellite dish on the roof. So, I thought I would ask your opinion whether or not this is acceptable or if it may be deemed sloppy or rushed by the dealer.

As stated, I'm comparing this to a bus that cost quite a bit more, but the roof on the big bus was much neater. I welcome your responses.

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Old 10-23-2020, 09:52 AM   #2
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You already know the answer. There is no excuse for the lack of workmanship whether done by the local garage mechanic, a dealer, or even yourself. Problem is, whoever tolerated that level of hack workmanship cannot be trusted to carefully undo it and do it right.
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Old 10-23-2020, 12:07 PM   #3
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Bought mine new as well (2018)... Right after I got mine I went over everything on the roof...

I got some Sikaflex 221 and redid all seals (since it was new I did not removed the one there). Placing tape and applying additional Sikaflex to make it look properly finished....

My concern with your photo is that I can't understand why that blob of sikaflex is there??? Did they incorrectly drilled the location of the satellite dish??
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Old 10-23-2020, 12:27 PM   #4
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Looks like a mess of Disitin around that
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Old 10-23-2020, 06:11 PM   #5
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Cheese & crackers got all muddy....You went on the roof?
Only birds and angels are allowed to see the roof.

No..THAT is unacceptable I would also demand it be re-done correctly, and explain the blob.
Return to the dealer, ask to see the Dealer Principal and show it to him or the Service Manager, I'll wager neither signed off on it, if they did, find another shop.
Call JC and send pictures.

The solar install is not anything to write home about...JC maybe.

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Old 10-23-2020, 06:32 PM   #6
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Congrats on the new Airstream GadgetGuru

On a positive note, they used the entire tube or case of tubes! It looks like you got all the Sikaflex that the shop had in their stores. What do you think is under the blob? Is there a large hole?

Perhaps the tech is taking a cake decorating course and this is a masterpiece.

But all kidding aside, give JC a call and send some photos and get this straightened out to your satisfaction. They will never know about it unless you tell them.

Like Bob says, the solar install looks weak. Maybe JC should be questioned about this as well.
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Old 10-23-2020, 07:14 PM   #7
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I’m with wachuko...what the hell is under that big blob of caulk?

Our first Interstate was like this...looked like the caulk around every add-on had been put down by a toddler with a wooden spoon, and there were all sorts of issues covered with that caulk that eventually leaked.

Maggie
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Old 10-23-2020, 07:20 PM   #8
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That's messy. It almost looks like the edge of a round plate under that blob. I'd call foul and explore the issue, surely desiring to know what's under there.


For me, it's always off to the factory for warranty work. That may be quite a drive for you, but I recommend it if you have the time and resources to do so.
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Old 10-23-2020, 07:30 PM   #9
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I am shocked when I saw that theres a flexible solar panel... it is known for causing heat damage on roof.

Yes the sealant work is very shoddy...
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Old 10-24-2020, 08:50 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GadgetGuru View Post
I hope you don't mind me asking this question, but I was a bit taken back when I climbed on a ladder to view my the roof of my new 2021 Interstate GT.

Please note, I came from the Prevost world and while an Interstate costs around 10% of the price of a new bus conversion, I was a bit dismayed when I saw the installation of the satellite dish on the roof. So, I thought I would ask your opinion whether or not this is acceptable or if it may be deemed sloppy or rushed by the dealer.

As stated, I'm comparing this to a bus that cost quite a bit more, but the roof on the big bus was much neater. I welcome your responses.
That is typical sloppy work from Airstream. You will see a lot of it if you look behind the surfaces of the van. Airstream trades on their designs and finishes, not the quality of their builds. To get Prevost quality in a B-van you need to buy from Advanced RV.
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Old 10-24-2020, 12:03 PM   #11
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Hard to tell, but it also looks like the satellite dish base is blocking part of the solar panel.



P.S. If I had to guess, I'd say they drilled the first hole for the dish too close to the solar - if that dish were centered over the caulking blob it would have blocked a lot of the solar. (Just my 2cents, discounted by $.02)
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Old 10-24-2020, 12:38 PM   #12
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I visited the factory and they have caulking in 55 gallon drums with pumps and hoses , they just pour it on, the trigger must of stuck.
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Old 10-24-2020, 01:36 PM   #13
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? Not just NO but H**L NO!
I have done some sloppy work, this is well beyond my capabilities of sloppy!
As others have posted, this tech can NOT be trusted to fix it.
Solution? Unfortunately I don’t have any. Good luck. Rick
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Old 10-24-2020, 02:03 PM   #14
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Sloppy all the way

Can’t figure out what they did or didn’t do around the dome but the solar panels should be on some sort of standoffs. Not screwed to the rounded roof. I’m guessing that their will be trouble ahead in the near future if it’s not taken care of. Back to the dealer and ask questions of how and why. If not acceptable answers then talk to JC. Good luck. Joe
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Old 10-24-2020, 02:13 PM   #15
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Not that you need another opinion but I'll join the chorus. That is unacceptable and as already pointed out "what, if any, issue is that glob hiding?".

I would call Jackson Center and get them involved ASAP.
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Old 10-24-2020, 03:44 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Halford1 View Post
I am shocked when I saw that theres a flexible solar panel... it is known for causing heat damage on roof.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Backfortyjoe View Post
the solar panels should be on some sort of standoffs. Not screwed to the rounded roof. I’m guessing that their will be trouble ahead in the near future if it’s not taken care of.
Well, perhaps Airstream does not know about future trouble, but that is presently their standard solar panel installation on the Interstate. The attached picture is from the Airstream website.

Tim
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Old 10-24-2020, 06:01 PM   #17
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It looks like they installed the sat dish then realized the solars panels wouldn't fit and moved it.... and then were totally hoping you wouldn't look up there!!! Time to raise a little hell !!
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Old 10-24-2020, 06:09 PM   #18
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Its probably hiding roof damage
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Old 10-24-2020, 07:23 PM   #19
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Definitely not acceptable. What a mess.
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Old 10-26-2020, 06:27 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GadgetGuru View Post
I hope you don't mind me asking this question, but I was a bit taken back when I climbed on a ladder to view my the roof of my new 2021 Interstate GT.

Please note, I came from the Prevost world and while an Interstate costs around 10% of the price of a new bus conversion, I was a bit dismayed when I saw the installation of the satellite dish on the roof. So, I thought I would ask your opinion whether or not this is acceptable or if it may be deemed sloppy or rushed by the dealer.

As stated, I'm comparing this to a bus that cost quite a bit more, but the roof on the big bus was much neater. I welcome your responses.

Hi GadgetGuru,*
Please send us a direct message with your contact information, email and the last 6 digits of your VIN so we can learn more and share it with our Customer Service and Technical Support team. We look forward to helping you get this resolved.

You can also reach Airstream Customer Service and Technical Support at*customersupport@airstream.com

Thank you.*
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