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08-31-2012, 06:48 PM
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#1
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New Member
2004 25' Safari
San Francisco
, California
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4
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Dented Airstream
Today I accidentally scraped the side of my 2004 25 foot Safari. The back right rear side is quite dented. I am traveling East from Calif to Kentucky and may take it up to the factory in Ohio for repairs. Anyone have any advice re costs, time it would take for repairs, where to go, etc? It looks like two panels need to be replaced, and a right side running light.
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08-31-2012, 07:38 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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Dents can often be worked out. Creases and wrinkles are permanent. Photos would help. Most Airstream dealerships could do the repair.If you are replacing a panel, I'm not sure, but I would expect to pay a couple of thou per panel.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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08-31-2012, 08:18 PM
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#3
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1 Rivet Member
1974 25' Tradewind
kirkland
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 18
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Sorry to hear that. I've had quotes from two airstream dealers. They both said to expect to pay 3k per panel label and materials. The panel prices from dealerships are around $1,000.00 but I've seen them as low as $350.00 at inland r.rv. In Cali.
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08-31-2012, 08:21 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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I had 2 panels replaced last fall at JC, and it was about $3500.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-31-2012, 11:30 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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I had to have the entire lower panel replaced on my street side a few years ago. That's a flat panel 14' long x 4' high. The only curvature was along the bottom where it was gently pulled in to meet the belly pan. Cost was in the 3500 range. I can't remember because my insurance paid for the entire job. My only expense was my gas to take it to and back home....about a 4 hour one way drive. Do you have insurance? Hope so.
Neil
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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09-01-2012, 01:23 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2011 31' Classic
Nellysford
, Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,067
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Replacing a Panel
The P.O. put a dent in the back right top curved end cap panel. It doesn't leak, so I was OK leaving it as a sign of honest wear. Linda wants it replaced so we are going to take it down to Out of Doors Mart, Colfax. NC, [ http://www.odmrv.com/] in a few weeks to have it done. They quoted $1400-1500 labor and materials. I've seen them working on other panels. They've replaced our A/C and generally been extra helpful for all things Airstream.
__________________
Greg Heuer, Spirit of Virginia Airstream Club
2011 31' Classic Ltd. - The Silver Otter III
2013 GMC Denali 2500HD 6.6 DuraMax - Sierra Blanca
TAC VA-18 | Life Mbr ACI 1927 - Spirit of Virginia Club | AIR 53869
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09-01-2012, 02:04 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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Silver Otter,
That kind of dent can be considerably reduced from the outside. It could be reduced even further from the inside.
I have never replaced a panel but from what I have heard the replacement panel finish will not exactly match the other panels.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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09-01-2012, 03:17 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver Otter
The P.O. put a dent in the back right top curved end cap panel. It doesn't leak, so I was OK leaving it as a sign of honest wear. Linda wants it replaced so we are going to take it down to Out of Doors Mart, Colfax. NC, [ http://www.odmrv.com/] in a few weeks to have it done. They quoted $1400-1500 labor and materials. I've seen them working on other panels. They've replaced our A/C and generally been extra helpful for all things Airstream.
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We have a similar dent, occasioned on our first trip and down to my inexperience. I did pull it out a little but we decided to leave it there as a reminder and, as Greg says, a sign of honest wear. It also makes us unique when in a field of Airstreams!
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09-01-2012, 08:10 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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I would not have that panel replaced unless they are going to buck rivet it back in. That does not look like a bad dent. I expect an experienced dent doctor could pull that out so it is barely noticeable. Structurally it is better than an Olympic riveted replacement.
Perry
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09-01-2012, 09:09 PM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Riverside
, California
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 189
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I'd have to argue that point, the shear strength of the Olympic is much greater than the softer buck rivet, and by rolling the Olympic in sealer before installation you can get sealer at the back.
Greg
__________________
1960 Tradewind
2007 Denali 6.2
2005 ST 1300 ABS
2005 Chevrolet SSR 6.0 LS2
airstreamlosangeles.com
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09-01-2012, 09:38 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1968 28' Ambassador
Cedaredge
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,542
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I don't think people give credit to Olympic rivets... So here is a personal experience.
While putting my shell back on I had "4" Olympic rivets in the front of the Airstream. It slipped off it front jack stand and those 4 rivets held the frame to the shell while I got the jack stand back under it. The shell was hanging from my Gantry's.. Now I'm guessing the front of the frame weighs well over 400 lbs, and was supported by 4 Olympic rivets..
So when people talk about Olympic rivets not being strong, I believe it is an assumption not a fact. Now are they as strong as a buck rivet? I don't know I would have to put two to the test.
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
2008 5.7 L V8 Sequoia
AIR # 31243
WBCCI # 6987
FOUR CORNERS UNIT
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