Chrome Rub Rail Recommendation

[sfsed]

Hi,

Sorry for the looooong post......

I want to share my experience in purchasing the chrome rub rail for my 2016 23' FC and to recommend a great source for you all.

I spent hours reading previous posts, searching the internet and speaking to other owners. I just could not get over how expensive and inconsistent the pricing is from various AS sources. To get the best price, I would have had to order from two different sources....

Several folks mentioned Cowles products, but their website was challenging to navigate, so I called them. Their rep was outstanding and very accommodating. I ended up placing a phone order with credit card and the material arrived within a week. Although the delivery cost was high, I ended up paying less to buy both 100' of each the top and bottom rails PLUS shipping than I would have paid for 100' of just one from other sources.

Details:
- 1" chrome rub rail AS #201763-100 = Cowles product #33-111 $138.36 for 100'
- 1/2" chrome rub rail AS #201912-100 = Cowles #37-1500 for 5/8" $85.87 for 100'
*NOTE: AS says it is 1/2" but it is actually 5/8" and the right fit for my unit
- Shipping to California $60

So for 100" of each with shipping I paid $224.33 instead of upwards $2.93 - $3.39 per foot for just the 1/2' x 100' = $293.00 - $339.00 for one item

I dealt with:
Loreé White
Customer Service Representative
Cowles Products Company
126 Bailey Road
North Haven, CT 06473

203-865-3110 ext 233
203-680-9448 direct line

Hope this was helpful!

[wulfraat]

Bookmarked! Thank you!

[J-Dog]

So how did the install go?
Have any good tips on removing the old and installing the new?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Be leery of the OEM "Chrome"

Our 'chrome' molding went south after 4 yrs.
I replaced with same, pooped again in places at 3yrs.
Changed the approach and removed all the 'chrome', cleaned the insert well and applied vinyl reflective tape. SFSG

Bob
🇺🇦🇺🇸🇺🇦

[sfsed]

Well . . . . I have yet to replace it - just haven't gotten around to it because I haven't been able to take trips since receiving. Based on videos I have seen, it appears fairly easy to remove (may need a small scraper to slide under tape as you remove) and you need to clean rail with paint thinner or vinegar before installing the new tape. For install have one person hold/unroll the tape while another applies it.

[sfsed]

Looks great especially with the blue pinstripe and blue logo

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by sfsed

Looks great especially with the blue pinstripe and blue logo

Start.... https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...ml#post2130420

End......https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...ml#post2130824




POI I just removed the fake plastic chrome covering and applied the reflective tape after cleaning well with acetone, where the molding was loose I cleaned the same way and re-attached with 3M VHB mounting tape.

Bob
🇺🇦🇺🇸🇺🇦

[Heb]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Start.... https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...ml#post2130420



End......https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...ml#post2130824









POI I just removed the fake plastic chrome covering and applied the reflective tape after cleaning well with acetone, where the molding was loose I cleaned the same way and re-attached with 3M VHB mounting tape.



Bob

[emoji1255][emoji631][emoji1255]

That looks awesome! It has been added to my list to do once I get done resealing my roof!

What color tape would go good with the international emblem…. [emoji848]

[J-Dog]

Just a followup to a question I had asked earlier...

I removed the 1/2" trim this morning with the help of my wife it was a pretty simple and straightforward process. The old insert peeled away a lot easier than I had thought it might. I was very happy that it went as smooth as it did.
The weather was sunny and in the low 80's and I noticed the side of the trailer in the sun was much easier to remove. I had the best success pulling the moulding back 180 degrees onto itself.
We made 3 passes around the trailer using acetone, clean rags, and the occasional use of a plastic scraper in order to properly prepare the surface.
I would certainly recommend having an extra set of hands to assist with managing the roll of new moulding. Our 27ft trailer only uses two pieces if material, the short piece for the entrance door, and the other is one continuous piece around the whole trailer.
I will be ordering the 1" next, and hope it will go as easy as this trim replacement went.

[Marty12313]

I just ordered replacement material from Cowles website. I should have it in a week. I will let everyone know how it goes.

Marty

Originally Posted by sfsed

Hi,

Sorry for the looooong post......

I want to share my experience in purchasing the chrome rub rail for my 2016 23' FC and to recommend a great source for you all.

I spent hours reading previous posts, searching the internet and speaking to other owners. I just could not get over how expensive and inconsistent the pricing is from various AS sources. To get the best price, I would have had to order from two different sources....

Several folks mentioned Cowles products, but their website was challenging to navigate, so I called them. Their rep was outstanding and very accommodating. I ended up placing a phone order with credit card and the material arrived within a week. Although the delivery cost was high, I ended up paying less to buy both 100' of each the top and bottom rails PLUS shipping than I would have paid for 100' of just one from other sources.

Details:
- 1" chrome rub rail AS #201763-100 = Cowles product #33-111 $138.36 for 100'
- 1/2" chrome rub rail AS #201912-100 = Cowles #37-1500 for 5/8" $85.87 for 100'
*NOTE: AS says it is 1/2" but it is actually 5/8" and the right fit for my unit
- Shipping to California $60

So for 100" of each with shipping I paid $224.33 instead of upwards $2.93 - $3.39 per foot for just the 1/2' x 100' = $293.00 - $339.00 for one item

I dealt with:
Loreé White
Customer Service Representative
Cowles Products Company
126 Bailey Road
North Haven, CT 06473

203-865-3110 ext 233
203-680-9448 direct line

Hope this was helpful!

[cjw81]

Originally Posted by Marty12313

I just ordered replacement material from Cowles website. I should have it in a week. I will let everyone know how it goes.

Marty

And how did it go?

[LAWBC]

https://youtu.be/F6CyTd3unuQ

[10Smiles]

Thank you for posting the video, very helpful.

[cjw81]

Originally Posted by LAWBC

https://youtu.be/F6CyTd3unuQ

Yes they (he) did.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by LAWBC

https://youtu.be/F6CyTd3unuQ

Interesting alternative to the chrome tape. Thanks for posting!

[cjw81]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Interesting alternative to the chrome tape. Thanks for posting!

Just finished the job ... I really like how it looks. Bonus -- there is no thin plastic shiny film covering this black molding to peel off, ever.

[BTCMUSN]

I like it! Nicely done…..how long did it take you? Where did you get the rub rail inset at? I know…so many questions but looks really nice…..I have put Walbernize on my original rub rail and every year looks just a little bit worse…and when JC fixed my front end seperation they replaced the front rub rail which joined halfway down the side of the AIRSTREAM and just didn’t look good so I spent way too much time Walbernizing that cloudiness out of the chrome rub rail….but this black is game changer

[cjw81]

I followed Airstream Nerds who has a good video on replacing their rub rail side molding here:
https://youtu.be/F6CyTd3unuQ

He recommends using products by Trim-Gard https://www.trim-gard.com/
namely
https://www.trim-gard.com/products.php?pn=8002S-20
and
https://www.trim-gard.com/products.php?pn=902-20

When I called Trim-Gard, the sales representative explained they don't do retail sales, and he gave me contact info for the closest retail outlet.

It took approximately 16 man hours to do the entire job.

[SilverCottage]

Much like others we had the chrome start to peel and go cloudy.

A/S service said they purchase the chrome product from Cowles but they were out of stock.

Cowles did have the identical product in matte black (which is my first choice) #33-110 for about $145 for 100 feet. Free shipping and 10% off with coupon COWLES.