How much does it cost?

[DAHBABY]

To have Airstream dealer replace a lower panel on a 25 ft. 2018 curb side panel? This would be for labor and part.....Does $1,200 sound right? Is this TOO LITTLE? Thanks.

[Isuzusweet]

If it's the panel in between the end caps then $1,200 may cover the cost for just the panel; let alone the labour to install it. It would suprise the heck out of me if there were a panel on any Airstream you could replace for $1,200.

I'm thinking you're way off base; be prepared to be shocked.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[Belegedhel]

Is this a flat sheet, or one of the formed "corner" end-cap pieces? Anyway, for a formed piece, it sounds about right. The rule of thumb used to be to expect to pay about $1000 per segment to have that work done, and prices are only going up.

good luck!

[A W Warn]

$1200 is close to the cost of the material. Call up a dealer and ask. Or take photos and send to Airstream to get an estimate.
If you replace the rivets with buck rivets (as original) the interior has to be removed. (more expensive)
If you replace the rivet with Olympic rivets the work can be done from the outside, but the repair will be noticeable by anyone who knows the difference. (less expensive)

[DAHBABY]

Thanks. The dealer has told me that their costs to replace the straight panel for labor and the part is $1,200. That seems low to me.

[Belegedhel]

If it is a flat sheet, then the cost of the material is probably less than $100 (depending on whether they source it locally, or buy it from Airstream with the factory clear coat). The typical way shops do these repairs is from the outside using Olympic rivets. If they know what they are doing and don't do something goofy like doubling/overlaying the panel, the only way you will know that it has been replaced is by examining the shaved heads of the rivets.

So, questions to ask:
-Will the replacement panel be doubled or overlayed?
-Will Olympic rivets be used, and the panel replaced from the outside?
-Will the replacement be Airstream quality plasti-coated aluminum, or bare sheet sourced locally?

There are ways to do this repair that can keep the cost low (ie., $1200), you just need to understand the compromises being made.

good luck!

[Frank&Mike]

It's way too little estimate ... I speak from experience.

[DAHBABY]

Thanks to all who responded so far![emoji4]

[malett]

Does the quote include any belting or trim? I can tell you the Airstream service center will use Olympic rivets. Although on a panel replacement I had done they used regular pop rivets also. I have not found any bucked rivets used in segments on my 94 classic.



Mark

[RamRider]

The front curb side, in front of the wheels ( curved bottom one) is around $2,000. I did one last spring at an Airstream dealer.

[ga adkins]

Doesn't your warranty cover the cost?

[75Bob]

I've replaced 5 panels. Panel price from Airstream is $550 each and $1,300 each one to have installed. Insurance paid so I didn't care but those are 2017 numbers from an Airstream dealership.

[guskmg]

A recent estimate from the mothership was: Metal: $ 8.91 per sq. ft. and Labor $88.88 per sq. ft. Sounds like a great do it yourself job.
guskmg

[DAHBABY]

Thank you to all that have responded!

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by Frank&Mike

It's way too little estimate ... I speak from experience.

Not from experience, but from reading, panel replacement cost wise, that does seem low. Remember the saying, "you get what you pay for"

I would send picture to other dealers just to see what the ball park is.

[toastie]

Originally Posted by DAHBABY

Thanks. The dealer has told me that their costs to replace the straight panel for labor and the part is $1,200. That seems low to me.

Sounds about right, just a couple hours of work.....

[Airwave503]

I just paid 1820 for my lower front curb side corner panel and trim. Does not include any polishing.

[Hvcooper]

I buggered up about 2’ of the left side of our new 27’ on a gas station protective pole after 2 hours of ownership. Scratched up a 2’ square area and damaged the lower molding. Asked for an estimate from the Airstream dealership where we bought it and was given a rough estimate of 10K. He explained that the whole panel has to be replaced. Damaged one removed by hand drilling out each rivet, then new blank sheet is laid out with damaged one over it as a template, with each feature hand cut out, then re-riveted, etc. I decided to wait and make sure I wasn’t going to inflict more damage learning how to pull and park, etc.

[Streamin]

Just returned from dropping off our 31' AS at Jackson Center. Thanks to a hail event, they are replacing the rear 5 panels above the beltline. R&R with Olympics is 10K. The factory labor rate is 120-ish if I remember correctly.

To use the factory rivets(remove & replace interior) the cost would be double.

If the olympics aren't shaved properly, your eye will pick out the repair. I would want to see some of their work before I said OK.

[75Bob]

Originally Posted by toastie

Sounds about right, just a couple hours of work.....

Are you serious? A couple of hours? Airstream quoted me 10 hours per panel at $125 per hour. I found a guy at Camping World that used to work for Argosy that knew how to install panels. They charged me $850 per panel for labor only. The repairman told me I stole it from CW cause it took him more than 8 hours to replace one. I had them replace 5.