HELP! Airstream of VA in Ashland - any good?

[outwithdogs]

Hi all!
Sure hope someone can help! We find ourselves in the unenviable position of requiring a repair to a dent in the drivers rear quarter panel, incurred in a parking lot! We are not enthusiastic about making the trip to Jackson Center, and Airstream of Virginia in Ashland is about 1.5 hours away. Unfortunately, we recently spoke with a fellow who had repairs made to a motor home (not an Airstream) at Camping World in Ashland, who we believe purchased AS of VA years ago. His experience was horrifying, and he promises he will never darken their doors again.

Can anyone recommend an AS repair or shop close to us in Virginia? Is Colonial AS in NJ the closest? Any recommendations for a shop in NC?

Thanks for your help,
Carol

[LilBird]

Hi, Carol. Good friends have had excellent experiences with Blue Compass in Raleigh. They’ve been taking their Airstreams to Blue Compass (formerly, Bill Plevens) for 9 years and have been consistently pleased. BTW, I agree with the person with whom you spoke about Ashland. Camping World bought AS of VA and, well, hummm… Suffice it to say we went once and won’t be going back. Best of luck with the repair

[outwithdogs]

Thanks so much for confirming our fears about Ashland, and much gratitude for the Raleigh tip! Really helpful! Sooo appreciated!

[Beve]

Hello: I live in northern Virginia, and travel past AS of Va often. My experience in the past has been mixed with them, and hope the change in ownership will make it better.

That being said with regard to your dilemma, there is a private shop in Ashland of all things, near AS of Virginia. Small shop, and they stay pretty booked. He is a former Airstream trained mechanic, and knows the Airstream product very well. Has helped us and other members of our club, and speaks yearly at our Spring Rallies with lots of information.

They do body work as well as repairs .

DJ Mastin
Broken Rivets RV Service
Ashland VA
804 994 1405

[outwithdogs]

Wow, that is really helpful, and soooo much more convenient than Jackson Ctr! I will call DJ first thing in the morning! Thanks so very much, he really sounds like the “go-to” airstream guy in VA! What a relief! We do not mind waiting for the right person to do the work! Beve, I can’t thank you enough for sharing that info! Thanks for taking the time to respond!��

[Bill2535]

AS of VA totally messed up my exterior skiin (plus other screwups).. I would NOT recommend using them.
Contact Broken Rivits Al’s in Ashland. Does a great job.
D. J. Was airstream trained but left As of VA to open his own shop. (804) 994-1405 or find him on Facebook. Tell him Pendleton Bill recommend him.

[Life is a Highway]

Call JC make an appointment or live with the regrets. I had a dealer 5 star absolutely trash our one week old 2019 25 Airsteam with a shabby panel over a panel cob job.

We traded it it was so bad , knew i should have taken it to the factory.

When our 2021 30 needed a replacement panel we drove to JC and sucked it up paid and never regretted it

Your choice

[AgBullet]

Originally Posted by Beve

Hello: I live in northern Virginia, and travel past AS of Va often. My experience in the past has been mixed with them, and hope the change in ownership will make it better.

That being said with regard to your dilemma, there is a private shop in Ashland of all things, near AS of Virginia. Small shop, and they stay pretty booked. He is a former Airstream trained mechanic, and knows the Airstream product very well. Has helped us and other members of our club, and speaks yearly at our Spring Rallies with lots of information.

They do body work as well as repairs .

DJ Mastin
Broken Rivets RV Service
Ashland VA
804 994 1405

X2 for DJ. He does excellent work...our '23 GT 27 was sideswiped, and he did the entire driver side panel as an insurance claim...flawless result. DJ is terrific.

[outwithdogs]

Bill-this is absolutely invaluable intel, and I’m soooo grateful, I can’t begin to thank you enough! Calling broken rivets this am!
Carol

[outwithdogs]

Ahhhhh, we were reading your mind, and actually made an appointment with JC! Having just moved, we REALLY do not have the time or energy for another trip, tho we know it would be done right! I get it, tho, i do, and i know it would be time well spent. . . . Thanks for the input, i so appreciate it!

EVERYONE has been so incredibly helpful! Thank you, ALL!
CAROL

[rideair]

Sadly, there's only one way to install a replacement panel like it was installed during the manufacturing process. Most folks will never want to pay for that level of work. The only time it's even done that way at the factory is if you want to pay the extra money. Plus, don't forget, to install a replacement panel using "Buck-Rivets" requires the removal of the interior where the panel is being replaced and that opens up another can of worms. The dealerships replace panels just like they do at the factory. Like always, it comes down to the person actually drilling out the old rivets and installing the new panel as to the quality of the work.

Enjoy,

[rideair]

But, if you're in Virginia, DJ is the man!

[pmclemore]

Airstream of VA is worlds different from the camping world dealer.

I had them repair a couple of dents resulting from two trees moving on me and also some damage from a blowout. Work done very well and as promised. Much as I love visiting Jackson Center I no longer feel it's necessary.

Pat

[ehubbard]

The older guy who does the body work at AS of VA is very very good. Don’t remember his name off the top of my head but ask for him and you’ll be in great shape.

[Ironsinker]

When replacing a panel remember the words “SEAM TAPE”. Make sure whoever does the work knows what it is, how to use it, and they actually use it.

I had JC replace all the rivets on a panel that was previously replaced by Airstream of SC cause it leaked. Turns out They didn’t use seam tape and the rivets leaked. JC told me the two biggest reasons for panels leaking after replacing is the installer doesn’t use seam tape and or they leave the plastic covering on the back of the new panel.

Airstream of VA replaced door hinge bolts for me. They did a good job with the drilling thats required, but the bolts leaked water afterwards. I had to remove the bolts and apply RTV. Been ok since. I didn’t wanna do the drilling myself.

My experience is just go to JC if you can. I think it’s also cheaper other than the drive there. I think JC repair prices are cheaper and better.

[outwithdogs]

Thanks Paul! Good to hear another vote for DJ!