Jackson Center in OH versus Colonial in NJ

[PatLee]

Hi all,
Rather than taking the very long drive to Jackson Center, OH this year for Airstream repairs, I'm thinking of giving Colonial Airstream in Millstone, NJ a try. Colonial is 234 miles from me versus 468 miles to Jackson Center.
Has anyone used both facilities for either repairs or warranty work? And if yes, how did it go? Do you prefer one over the other?
Many thanks.

[RickBullotta]

Colonial is very good, but I doubt they'll be able to provide "while you wait" service this time of year. The lot is very full of service work. Can't hurt to call them though.

[Gibson3798]

We travel 5 1/2 hours to Jackson Center because of the great same-day service. It's our only option as the "dealer" might keep it 2 months to do a 5 hr. job.

[jeffmc306]

PatLee, I guess it depends on the repairs you’re looking to have done. For small punchlist items I’m sure Colonial can handle it. In our case, I saved up a list that included stretching the wrinkles in the woven floor and potential front end separation.

One lesser problem was a leak under the galley sink. The fix was simple, just tighten the drain trap but the leak damaged the top drawer’s bottom. Our tech was able to get a new drawer bottom from the factory and repair it. Colonial won’t have that kind of access to cabinet parts. Overall, JC handeled everything in two days. So, bottom line is “it depends”!

Good luck with your decision.

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by PatLee

Hi all,

Rather than taking the very long drive to Jackson Center, OH this year for Airstream repairs, I'm thinking of giving Colonial Airstream in Millstone, NJ a try. Colonial is 234 miles from me versus 468 miles to Jackson Center.

Has anyone used both facilities for either repairs or warranty work? And if yes, how did it go? Do you prefer one over the other?

Many thanks.

It depends if you have to make two trips to Colonial, one for a diagnosis and one for the repair, your at the same mileage as Jackson Cntr.

[airmaine]

Just wondering why you crossed out the FlCl23Fb? Major problems or did you just get rid of it? Thanks

[Life is a Highway]

Jackson Center

[jamieb1086]

Hi Pat! Jamie Bull here. Matter of fact my rig is at Colonial now. But give me a call (from the SWA list) on my cell so we can discuss. I've been to both!

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by airmaine

Just wondering why you crossed out the FlCl23Fb? Major problems or did you just get rid of it? Thanks

Airmarine, I just noticed your post but it didn’t reference another post. I crossed out the 2018 FC23FB because we traded it for the 2019 27’ GT.

Liked the Airstream experience but didn’t care for the u-snapped dinette and East-West queen. The 27’ twin bed Globetrotter checked all the boxes. Love it!

[tusocks]

We are planning to travel in our 27’ GT in late May 2023 from Cody, WY along the Chief Joseph Highway 296 to Cooke City & from there to the West Yellowstone park Entrance into YNP. I rode this route on my motorcycle many years ago but I am interested in knowing if anyone has done it fairly recently in their Airstream. Appreciate any information about this route. Tx much.
Mark/Jeannie

[DutchB]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

PatLee, I guess it depends on the repairs you’re looking to have done. For small punchlist items I’m sure Colonial can handle it. In our case, I saved up a list that included stretching the wrinkles in the woven floor and potential front end separation.

One lesser problem was a leak under the galley sink. The fix was simple, just tighten the drain trap but the leak damaged the top drawer’s bottom. Our tech was able to get a new drawer bottom from the factory and repair it. Colonial won’t have that kind of access to cabinet parts. Overall, JC handeled everything in two days. So, bottom line is “it depends”!

Good luck with your decision.

We go out of warranty in July '23. I only have punchlist small items that I know about it.

Are there important inspections that make it worth going to Jackson? I am in Texas - long trip.

[PatLee]

I think my question has changed.
I've been to JC annually since 2018 and always stick around until the repairs are done. I was assuming I could do the same thing with an appointment at Colonial i.e. make an appointment, take it in, wait until work is done, and haul it back home. Is this doable at Colonial?
Jamie - hi there, so good to hear from you. My caravan book a.k.a. "The Book" - is still in my trailer. I keep forgetting to bring it home so do not have your phone number handy. See you next summer in Alaska!

[jeffb831]

Originally Posted by PatLee

I think my question has changed.
I've been to JC annually since 2018 and always stick around until the repairs are done. I was assuming I could do the same thing with an appointment at Colonial i.e. make an appointment, take it in, wait until work is done, and haul it back home. Is this doable at Colonial?

Outside of allowing new purchasers to stay overnight, I don't think (at least as far as I've seen) they have facilities for people to stay like JC has with the Terraport where the return the trailer at night for you to stay in.

[Boba911]

I had an accident last year with a tree! The tree limb dented the complete side of the trailer on the passengers side. I took the AS to Colonial and within 2 weeks it was fixed and you would never know it was replaced. They are my go to shop if it is something I can' fix. Very honest and good to work with.

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by Boba911

I had an accident last year with a tree! The tree limb dented the complete side of the trailer on the passengers side. I took the AS to Colonial and within 2 weeks it was fixed and you would never know it was replaced. They are my go to shop if it is something I can' fix. Very honest and good to work with.

If they have the replacement parts and it can be accomplished in a day, I would think you could wait for it, more than a day maybe a motel? If they don’t have replacement parts, that’s another storyline. I would talk with Jessica she’s a service advisor, she’s right on it.

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

If they have the replacement parts and it can be accomplished in a day, I would think you could wait for it, more than a day maybe a motel? If they don’t have replacement parts, that’s another storyline. I would talk with Jessica she’s a service advisor, she’s right on it.

removed by poster, wrong response.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by DutchB

We go out of warranty in July '23. I only have punchlist small items that I know about it.

Are there important inspections that make it worth going to Jackson? I am in Texas - long trip.

DutchB, good for you! A small punch list should be manageable by a local dealer and save yourself the long trip.

I did use our dealer for two things that came up after our JC trip. One was a shower door seal and the other was a line of dead pixels on the galley television. In both cases they submitted a claim to JC and gave me the parts for self-install. I gave them the old TV when I picked up the new one.

I fixed several other small items myself prior to the JC visit. We’re about 65 miles from the dealer and I’d rather not leave the trailer there unless it’s necessary. YMMV.

[Jason P M]

Colonial replaced my front panel and reinforced the structure for front-end separation that many of the FBs have experienced. They did a great job. Can't tell the difference from a new trailer. I did have to leave the trailer for 2 weeks.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The big issue is parts. If all you need are basic fixes that don't require replacement parts, either place can do a fine / quick job. With either one of them, an appointment will be needed. I have had "same day" repairs done at Colonial this way.

If parts may be needed, then JC is the better bet. As noted above, Colonial will need to look at things on one visit and then order in parts. Eventually / some day / maybe they will get shipped to them. After that, you schedule a second visit. With JC, they just go over and grab what they need ( most of the time ).

Bob

[Vladius]

Originally Posted by tusocks

We are planning to travel in our 27’ GT in late May 2023 from Cody, WY along the Chief Joseph Highway 296 to Cooke City & from there to the West Yellowstone park Entrance into YNP. I rode this route on my motorcycle many years ago but I am interested in knowing if anyone has done it fairly recently in their Airstream. Appreciate any information about this route. Tx much.
Mark/Jeannie

We did it in 2017 in a snow storm. YNP did a great job in plowing the roads early in the morning. It is an easy drive and very scenic