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Old 01-03-2020, 01:35 PM   #1
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2020 23' Flying Cloud
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Panel replacement - to do or not to do...

There was a tiny dimple/dent in my 2020 FC23CB when I did my walk around with the dealer and after some delays by the dealer, they said the dent puller cannot pull it out because of the depth of the dent and the location.

So this leaves panel replacement, which I’m wary of because I don’t want it to leak. I already told them if I agreed to that, I would insist on buck rivets rather than olympic rivets. They said it would cost them $2800-$3000 and the they would send it up to Airstream for the repair if I wanted to go that route.

First, that number seems low, and second, I’d rather have a financial settlement than have my new Airstream torn apart, but I don’t know what a reasonable settlement number is, or if they are lowballing the repair cost.

Any advice from people who have had panels replaced by the factory? Did it leak afterwards??

Does the $2800-$3000 amount seem realistic? Dont they have to replace the entire lower sheet of aluminum??

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Old 01-03-2020, 02:36 PM   #2
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They could (potentially wood) over-sheet it vs a full replacement. Personally I'd ask for $3k discount and call it a day.
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Old 01-03-2020, 03:32 PM   #3
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It is a segment, is it not? The cost sounds about right. I think they would replace the segment. I doubt if the replacement will leak.

I too would want a discount instead of a repaired trailer for that dent. Good luck. The dealer probably owns the trailer and may be in the position Airstream will do the repair but will not pay him for the discount. Or the dealer might own the dent too. Was this trailer just delivered? Or on the lot with the dent?
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Old 01-03-2020, 03:36 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StephSH View Post
There was a tiny dimple/dent in my 2020 FC23CB when I did my walk around with the dealer and after some delays by the dealer, they said the dent puller cannot pull it out because of the depth of the dent and the location.

So this leaves panel replacement, which I’m wary of because I don’t want it to leak. I already told them if I agreed to that, I would insist on buck rivets rather than olympic rivets. They said it would cost them $2800-$3000 and the they would send it up to Airstream for the repair if I wanted to go that route.

First, that number seems low, and second, I’d rather have a financial settlement than have my new Airstream torn apart, but I don’t know what a reasonable settlement number is, or if they are lowballing the repair cost.

Any advice from people who have had panels replaced by the factory? Did it leak afterwards??

Does the $2800-$3000 amount seem realistic? Dont they have to replace the entire lower sheet of aluminum??

Attachment 358594
I know the factory at JC does very nice, quick work once you get an appt. scheduled...they pick up your rig in the morning around 7:30am and return to your campsite at 4:30ish..I saw them take off a rear quarter panel and replace in one day on the 28 International next door to my campsite. I would consider using your rig for a few weeks to find any other issues, and get all fixed at once at the factory..there are bound to be some other issues that come up perhaps...
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Old 01-03-2020, 04:32 PM   #5
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Take the discount, you will get more scars
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Old 01-03-2020, 04:49 PM   #6
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Panel replacement - to do or not to do...

You might send that pic to AS yourself and ask them for 2 estimates. One for just putting a panel over that one and the other for the full buck-riveted job. The latter will be about double the former. That’s the number discount I’d seek from the dealer.

I would also take the discount and only consider doing the repair if there were tons of other things to do down the road. That’s a small “beauty mark” - wait till you see what you do to it after a few years of camping [emoji3]


If you get a good discount and just can’t live with the dimple, you could put a patch over it. Search the “show is your patches” thread - some awesome examples to inspire you....

Good luck!!
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Old 01-03-2020, 04:54 PM   #7
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Go for the discount. You're bound to get rock dings or scratches eventually, so after awhile, you learn to live with them.
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Old 01-03-2020, 05:04 PM   #8
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Go for the discount. You're bound to get rock dings or scratches eventually, so after awhile, you learn to live with them.


Oh, amen to that. Experienced Airstreams do collect the occasional ding. It’s aluminum after all.

As long as that ding is not leaking, I’d get the discount and live with it. Another option is to put a cute patch design over it.

It does not look like much of a ding, really.
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Old 01-03-2020, 05:10 PM   #9
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Yes, the dent is in a segment.

The trailer was built on 10/25, delivered to the dealer on 10/31, I bought it on 11/6 and picked it up on 11/16- I might assume it was dealer owned, but really dont know?

I think the money is probably the smart way to go also, but in this kind of situation do they normally offer the full cost of the repair as the settlement amount or do they offer less? Obviously, I know that the money or the repair is a decision I have to make, but I’m hoping someone with some experience can tell if if they are likely of offer less than the cost of the repair, and how much less?
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Old 01-03-2020, 05:42 PM   #10
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How much of a discount off MSRP were you getting already? If more than 20%, they’re probably offering less than the total cost. [emoji3]

I don’t know for sure but I think they’re offering you the cover it price and not the full buck river replacement price. Don’t know for sure - that’s why I’d send the pic to AS and get a read from them.

Either way - if you’re happy with the final price - buy it - go camping - you’ll love it!! [emoji3]
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Old 01-03-2020, 05:51 PM   #11
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Panel replacement - to do or not to do...

Take the money. That’s a small ding. Stick a rivet in the center of it. I think that will make it a lot less noticeable.
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Old 01-03-2020, 05:54 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveSueMac View Post
How much of a discount off MSRP were you getting already? If more than 20%, they’re probably offering less than the total cost. [emoji3]

I don’t know for sure but I think they’re offering you the cover it price and not the full buck river replacement price. Don’t know for sure - that’s why I’d send the pic to AS and get a read from them.

Either way - if you’re happy with the final price - buy it - go camping - you’ll love it!! [emoji3]


I got it for 21% off MSRP, I do love it, wouldn’t return it if that was their solution :-)
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Old 01-03-2020, 05:59 PM   #13
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Take the money and go camping - at least now you don't have to worry about the "first ding"!
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:02 PM   #14
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I got it for 21% off MSRP, I do love it, wouldn’t return it if that was their solution :-)


You done good! Ask for $3500 and drive that baby home! [emoji3]
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:35 PM   #15
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You done good! Ask for $3500 and drive that baby home! [emoji3]


Thats what happens when you take the time to troll AirForums for months before you buy, lol.
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Old 01-03-2020, 10:29 PM   #16
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Panel replacement - to do or not to do...

Quote:
Originally Posted by sb55 View Post
Take the money. That’s a small ding. Stick a rivet in the center of it. I think that will make it a lot less noticeable.

Beat me to it. I did that on a previous trailer. The dealer put an Olympic rivet in a ding like that, and they put one in same spot on other side of trailer. The ding essentially disappeared and with was symmetrical with the rivet in the other side when looking at the trailer from behind.
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Old 01-04-2020, 02:47 PM   #17
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Take the money!! I made the mistake and I did not. I had a dent and the entire passenger panel behind the door and the door was replaced. The dent was not that bad - I was probably the only one who would notice it. That work costed $10,500. That amount of money would have paid for many trips.
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Old 01-04-2020, 03:13 PM   #18
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Take the money and run! My favorite saying for a no-nevermind: it'll never be noticed on a galloping horse.

Enjoy your new coach and go camping!

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Old 01-04-2020, 03:37 PM   #19
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I'm obviously in the minority here but....

What's the incentive for Airstream to up their quality game if you are willing to accept damaged goods right out of the gate? For the money you people are paying for these they should be pristine. Would you drive a new car off of the lot with a nice ding in the door? I wouldn't. And I wouldn't accept 1/10th of the crap some of you people put up with. You worked hard for your money, you hold the cards. I wouldn't want panels replaced on a supposedly "new" unit... I'd want another unit. Expect excellence. Afterall...you're paying for it.
Supposedly.

Just my .02.
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Old 01-04-2020, 10:23 PM   #20
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You are assuming it left the factory like that. I highly doubt airstream would ship visibly damaged goods. Handling the unit at the dealer likely caused that dent... that’s likely a dealer issue. The OP can chime in, that would be my assumption.

When I bought my first airstream I bought it new, but it had some light hail damage on an upper rear quarter panel caused while on the dealer lot. I bought as is at 45% discount. Worked for me and you’d never know the damage was there unless someone pointed it out to you.
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