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11-27-2011, 07:19 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,167
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Frame question
Don't know if this is the best place for this question, but the moderators may move it to a better place if necessary.
Who makes Airstream's frames? I'm particularly interested in the 1995-2005 era.
Thanks.
__________________
David Lininger, kb0zke
AIR 54240
Heartland mpg 181 (sold)
1993 Foretravel U300 (sold)
2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS
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11-27-2011, 10:08 PM
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#2
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Site Team
1964 26' Overlander
1964 19' Globetrotter
OlyPen
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,930
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Interesting question. I assumed they were made at the factory... maybe not?
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11-28-2011, 04:42 AM
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#3
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Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
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Hi David,
Here is some good reading for you. All about suppliers. Mostly about the Euro spec Stream, but references to Dexter. From what I know, Dexter owns a frame builder that makes frames for Airstream. If you search enough, you may find price quotes from Dexter for a completely new frame for someones 1970s AS.
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
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11-28-2011, 10:01 AM
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#4
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Tool Hoarder
Currently Looking...
West
, California
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 907
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Top
Hi David,
Here is some good reading for you. All about suppliers. Mostly about the Euro spec Stream, but references to Dexter. From what I know, Dexter owns a frame builder that makes frames for Airstream. If you search enough, you may find price quotes from Dexter for a completely new frame for someones 1970s AS.
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I think it is Dexter. I went and checked out a frame that a guy out here had ordered for his trailer. It was not cheap as I recall. I believe it was around 4-6 K?
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11-28-2011, 12:19 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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I expect they are made by various sub contractors if not made by Airstream. I expect they are made by the lowest bidder. I would say that depending on the year it could be several different companies. Any decent size welding shop can make frames.
Perry
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11-28-2011, 08:08 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,167
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Here's the reason for my question. We own a small Heartland product, an mpg 181. Most, if not all, of Heartland's frames come from Lippert. I've read enough about Lippert's lack of quality (broken welds seem to be pretty common) that I'd rather not buy something with a Lippert frame for our FT coach.
On another forum I read something about Lippert buying at least some of Dexter, but there seemed to be confusion about just what was purchased, whether the whole company or just part of it.
I suppose that if we got serious about a particular Airstream I could always call the factory, give them the serial number, and see what they could tell me.
__________________
David Lininger, kb0zke
AIR 54240
Heartland mpg 181 (sold)
1993 Foretravel U300 (sold)
2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS
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11-28-2011, 09:07 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
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The day we were at the factory last year they were unloading a shipment of frames. I can not remember who they said those particular frames came from. They came right off the truck and onto the assembly line where they installed the Dexter Axles with brakes already attached. After a little work, they were flipped over and they started attaching the ribs and end caps. The roof in now flown in to match the ribs that are standing up. I did not see any receiving QC inspection being conducted before the frames were placed on the line.
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11-29-2011, 06:06 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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You said it, 90% of problems can be prevented with proper QC at every step. I expect that Airstream uses union workers and competence and a good work ethic is not rewarded in that environment.
Perry
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