License plate mounting

[Krazyjohnny]

I have one gripe about my new trailer. The license plate mount. Can someone tell me why, on a $55K trailer they put such a cheeseball license plate bracket? How do the rest of you have your plates mounted? Where did you get the better bracket if there is one. I am thinking of having a machine shop machine one out of a piece of billet aluminum just so the trailer doesn't look so bad with the flimsy thing that is there.

[moosetags]

I agree; it is a little ceesey. I have mounted a 1.5" aluminum strip behind the tag extending out about 6" on each side of the tag. On one side I have mounted a plastic plate with a Good Sam logo and Hensley logo on it. On the other side, I have mounted a vintage metal Florida AAA badge. It is a low budget fix that looks pretty classy.

[TIMEMACHINE]

You think it is cheesy now, wait until the chrome license plate light housing starts to rust in about 2 months. Not to worry, Airstream will replace it with another cheesy assembly at no cost. I think they know it's a piece of crap.

John

[doorgunner]

gee what a shame the one on my 86 looks nice. probably American made.

[AZstreamin]

not only will they replace that cheesy rusting license plate holder they will replace every running light because the screws are not even stainless which in turn causes the assembly to rust. They will also replace the patio light.. Which will pit and rust.. Because it is cast iron with a bad chrome job.. So there you go.. my local dealer (which I didn't even purchase from) just loves me.. haaah...bottom line... Airstream’s structural integrity.. is second to none.. fit and finish.. sucks..Not unlike most other rvs... in the end, I still love her she is a pretty gal...and everyone that passes smiles when they see her...sometimes even wave...acting like they know her or something...beauty is only skin deep...she is not without flaws, so a little plastic surgery to fix a few blemishes...a little lipo...a lot of exercise by taking long road trips should make her perfect… even to my critical eye.

[TIMEMACHINE]

Originally Posted by AZstreamin

not only will they replace that cheesy rusting license plate holder they will replace every running light because the screws are not even stainless which in turn causes the assembly to rust. They will also replace the patio light.. Which will pit and rust.. Because it is cast iron with a bad chrome job.. So there you go.. my local dealer (which I didn't even purchase from) just loves me.. haaah...bottom line... Airstream’s structural integrity.. is second to none.. fit and finish.. sucks..Not unlike most other rvs... in the end, I still love her she is a pretty gal...and everyone that passes smiles when they see her...sometimes even wave...acting like they know her or something...beauty is only skin deep...she is not without flaws, so a little plastic surgery to fix a few blemishes...a little lipo...a lot of exercise by taking long road trips should make her perfect… even to my critical eye.

You nailed it....

John

[Clozzzer]

Originally Posted by Krazyjohnny

I have one gripe about my new trailer. The license plate mount. Can someone tell me why, on a $55K trailer they put such a cheeseball license plate bracket? How do the rest of you have your plates mounted? Where did you get the better bracket if there is one. I am thinking of having a machine shop machine one out of a piece of billet aluminum just so the trailer doesn't look so bad with the flimsy thing that is there.

Did you ever have one made?

[FishByFly]

I know this is a bit old threat but the item remains a current issue. My 2017 has a plastic plate holder and light housing. Ordered a chrome plate holder (the light housing is “chrome plastic” and the rest of the bracket is metal).

The factory assembly was cheaper than I thought. Wish the discontinued metal housing lights didn’t rust so quickly but this is an interim better looking approach. Seems that an polished aluminum house would be easy to make.

Placed the plate in a silicone holder too.

[jayseejay]

Originally Posted by FishByFly

I know this is a bit old threat but the item remains a current issue. My 2017 has a plastic plate holder and light housing. Ordered a chrome plate holder (the light housing is “chrome plastic” and the rest of the bracket is metal).

The factory assembly was cheaper than I thought. Wish the discontinued metal housing lights didn’t rust so quickly but this is an interim better looking approach. Seems that an polished aluminum house would be easy to make.

Placed the plate in a silicone holder too.

Attachment 371280

That looks good! Where did you get it, and does it use the same holes as the factory housing? Thanks, Joe

[lsawye01]

Originally Posted by jayseejay

That looks good! Where did you get it, and does it use the same holes as the factory housing? Thanks, Joe

Thanks, but where did you get it?

[FishByFly]

$10 on Amazon.

The back plate is black. I spray painted it but it is not going to stay on. Going to have to strip, prime and repaint in the future.

The screw holes align perfectly. There is a black foam gasket from the original I reused. Cut it down to fit this holder.