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M3771 · 03-15-2023, 06:16 AM

I'm considering the stainless steel upgrade bundle for my trailer and just wondering if anyone else has done this. The bundle includes replacements for the range vent, outlet cover, fresh water port, cable/sat cover, and outside shower.

As with most things Airstream, the upgrades are pricey. My trailer is only a year old, so the replacements certainly are not a necessity, but only aesthetic. If you made any or all of these stainless steel upgrades to your trailer, was it worth it?

kscherzi · 03-15-2023, 07:27 AM

I took the various covers off and spray painted them silver.

Jeff7176 · 03-15-2023, 08:06 AM

We dis all the stainless shortly after purchasing our trailer. I like them very much and would do it again.

Mollysdad · 03-15-2023, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3771

I'm considering the stainless steel upgrade bundle for my trailer and just wondering if anyone else has done this. The bundle includes replacements for the range vent, outlet cover, fresh water port, cable/sat cover, and outside shower.

I replaced my water heater cover and love it. I'd like to do the range vent and the outside shower, but I feel those are overpriced. ($95 for an electrical outlet cover?)
I shudder to think how much a "bundle" costs.

ROBERT CROSS · 03-15-2023, 08:38 AM

We did it when we bought "Cloudsplitter"...they cost 1/3 what they cost now.

Bob
🇺🇸

Josephine517 · 03-15-2023, 08:47 AM

We swapped to stainless steel over several months in 2020. As COVID cancelled a reservation I used the money I would of spent on camping sites to purchase stainless steel. Ended up replacing most of the plastic parts. This year I changed out the cable and shore power ports to stainless RV Smart plug. I think the only thing I can change out at this point is the storage compartment lock. Hmm.

ROBERT CROSS · 03-15-2023, 11:12 AM

Found my original post about the stainless covers...

Bob
🇺🇸

Tim A. · 03-15-2023, 11:23 AM

After multiple silver spray painting episodes, I covered our water heater door and replaced our external stove vent with aluminum. If I hadn't wanted to have the challenge of making the aluminum covers, I would have purchased the stainless ones. The silver paint just did not last perhaps because of trying it for over 20 years

.

Tim

mikeinca · 03-15-2023, 11:44 AM

I replaced the outlet cover with stainless since I felt the plastic one was cheap looking and was also fading from sun exposure. It was a simple swap. I've also replaced the black luggage compartment locks with chrome ones that look better and have less common keys.

"Worth it" is obviously subjective but it's kind of fun to do the little upgrades and I'm happy with them.

Josephine517 · 03-16-2023, 06:22 AM

The outside shower may require you to cut the rounded corners in the airstream siding to square. Mine 2017 23DFC required it, easy task with a Dremel tool.

kittmaster · 03-16-2023, 06:36 AM

We did it, but we had, still have, and issue with the hood vent. On my particular unit replacement, the seams where not beaded and it causes a leak over the stove when heavy sideways rain occurs. It is an action item to remove the vent, replace the gasket, and completely fuse/seal the areas that are causing the leak. I used a borescope to verify and could see the water coming it...lucky I was able to seal it off for the winter months...so just be aware that the replacement is nice, but can introduce an issue you didn't have.

ROBERT CROSS · 03-16-2023, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kittmaster

We did it, but we had, still have, and issue with the hood vent. On my particular unit replacement, the seams where not beaded and it causes a leak over the stove when heavy sideways rain occurs. It is an action item to remove the vent, replace the gasket, and completely fuse/seal the areas that are causing the leak. I used a borescope to verify and could see the water coming it...lucky I was able to seal it off for the winter months...so just be aware that the replacement is nice, but can introduce an issue you didn't have.

I used a length of split 1/8in clear tubing.

(Granted black would have been better.

)

That and my emergency MacGyver stay closed while moving clip, it's also a stay open clip so the fan don't have to blow the heavy door open and waste all that fan power.

Bob
🇺🇸

PacificNW · 03-26-2023, 10:47 AM

The flap that comes with the stainless steel hood vent is too heavy, it doesn't open with the airflow of the hood fan. I use a pinecone to keep it open permanently while camping. Not the best solution.
I didn't keep the old hood vent. Maybe there would have been a way to transplant the flap...

TeddyK · 03-26-2023, 11:18 AM

There is ��

reginac · 03-26-2023, 11:20 AM

I replaced everything with stainless steel. It looks so much better! Also the kitchen vent cover will stick if not cleaned frequently. I use Dawn power wash to cut through the grease and then just wipe it off. It works perfectly when cleaned often.

SilverCabin · 03-26-2023, 11:34 AM

We have replaced everything with SS except for the Fresh Water Tank Refill and the Outside Shower. The Airstream Service Center tech who did the work advised against those two items as you could run into trouble with short hoses and/or water leaks.

Randy

Airsurfer · 03-26-2023, 03:30 PM

We replaced all the outside covers on our 2018 Flying Cloud 23 FBQ with stainless. It wasn’t necessary, but we like the bling factor. The black lock on the storage locker was replaced with a chrome one.

steilkurve · 05-17-2023, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I used a length of split 1/8in clear tubing.

(Granted black would have been better.

)

That and my emergency MacGyver stay closed while moving clip, it's also a stay open clip so the fan don't have to blow the heavy door open and waste all that fan power.

Bob
🇺🇸

Hey Bob.

I'm about to swap out my vent hood for the stainless steel one because the flimsy clips on the stock unit broke. And the stainless looks better of course.

Did you have to apply any sealant to keep the water out?

The AS Supply Co product page suggests it may be required, although they say a rubber seal is provided.

Any tips you have on that would be greatly appreciated.

Nic

Saluda372 · 05-17-2023, 07:11 AM

Love the SS but hard to justify cost (as with most AS options). They could have done better with the original equipment, sometimes I feel they are building in additional profit by skimping on quality from the start.

crispyboy · 05-17-2023, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Hey Bob.

I'm about to swap out my vent hood for the stainless steel one because the flimsy clips on the stock unit broke. And the stainless looks better of course.

Did you have to apply any sealant to keep the water out?

The AS Supply Co product page suggests it may be required, although they say a rubber seal is provided.

Any tips you have on that would be greatly appreciated.

Nic

If I recall I used butyl tape when mounting and sealed around the edge with Sikaflex and blue painters tape to keep a tidy caulk joint. You may also need the clothes pin to hold the flap door open. The fan in the vent hood is not strong enough to keep it open.