International Front Separation 2019 27 foot FB

[Merlintiaga]

Just got back from a weekend trip and noticed a popped rivet on my 2022 Globetrotter 27 FBQ at the front storage door. If you look closely at the photo you can see where the sealant has pulled away between the shell and the trim. The access hatch door works fine.

My trailer was built in April 2022. I believe AS had already implemented the beefed up the frame at the front end when mine was built. I’m going to make an appointment with the dealer (Colonial Airstream). Is this the dreaded separation? If is, am I better off at the mothership than at Colonial? Ugh!

[BTCMUSN]

Originally Posted by Merlintiaga

Just got back from a weekend trip and noticed a popped rivet on my 2022 Globetrotter 27 FBQ at the front storage door. If you look closely at the photo you can see where the sealant has pulled away between the shell and the trim. The access hatch door works fine.

My trailer was built in April 2022. I believe AS had already implemented the beefed up the frame at the front end when mine was built. I’m going to make an appointment with the dealer (Colonial Airstream). Is this the dreaded separation? If is, am I better off at the mothership than at Colonial? Ugh!

That is how mine started unfortunately, just gradually gets worse with more time. I had mine fixed at the Mothership and it was an easy trip for us from Texas. We didn't know about the TerraPort they have actually right next to the Service Center but you can stay they there until they fix your issue (if it is FE seperation). The area has the MotherShip tour, Space and Bike museum visit and by then they will have your repair completed. Took 1.5 days total. We went to the MotherShip to make sure it was documented and figured they had ALL THE PARTS there and had the best chance of getting my 27FBQ repaired in a timely manner. MotherShip replaced the cargo door and front panel along with "rub rail" to the first joint. So far so good and it has been 2 years since my MotherShip repair!

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Merlintiaga

Just got back from a weekend trip and noticed a popped rivet on my 2022 Globetrotter 27 FBQ at the front storage door. If you look closely at the photo you can see where the sealant has pulled away between the shell and the trim. The access hatch door works fine.

My trailer was built in April 2022. I believe AS had already implemented the beefed up the frame at the front end when mine was built. I’m going to make an appointment with the dealer (Colonial Airstream). Is this the dreaded separation? If is, am I better off at the mothership than at Colonial? Ugh!

My trailer was built in April 2022. I believe AS had already implemented the beefed up the frame at the front end when mine was built. I’m going to make an appointment with the dealer (Colonial Airstream). Is this the dreaded separation? If is, am I better off at the mothership than at Colonial? Ugh! [/QUOTE]

I agree with BTCMUSN, go to JC for an inspection and repair. This way it’s documented and done right for future resale.

I had ours done in October of 2020 (bolted to frame) but noticed a gap in the rub rail last year. I made another appointment for this past June and they now do the updated repairs in the body shop, no longer at the service center.

Everything was done from the outside; no more removing the bedroom furniture or inside skin. Hopefully you already have the new brackets and it’s just a popped rivet. Better to get it checked out know for sure.

Good luck!

[RxGuy]

I had my insurance company pay for repairs at Jackson Center to my 2010 International 27FB in 2017 for this exact issue.

How-common-is-this-type-of-damage?

I questioned the factory at the time about reinforcing the area around the front storage compartment to prevent it from happening again....nope we don't do that.

Can you fab something up? Nope

The dimples at the corners of the storage compartment door have shown up again (they have been there for awhile), this time with a small stress crack included.

For the newer trailers there is now an engineered fix from Airstream, that from the posts here appears to be covered under warranty.

I might give JC a call to see if they would cover the repair on my trailer since they already fixed it once.

Yeah, I know...good luck with that. It's only a phone call. LOL

Chances of them covering it, slim to none....and slim's outta town.

How expensive is the "new fix" if you have to pay out of pocket?

Or how hard is doing it yourself?

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

I had ours done in October of 2020 (bolted to frame) but noticed a gap in the rub rail last year. I made another appointment for this past June and they now do the updated repairs in the body shop, no longer at the service center.

Everything was done from the outside; no more removing the bedroom furniture or inside skin. Hopefully you already have the new brackets and it’s just a popped rivet. Better to get it checked out know for sure.

Good luck!

Good luck this time around. I hope it’s covered under warranty, and they have a more permanent fix.
Ours hasn’t changed in two years, and lots of miles. We just have one dimple on the curb side lower corner of the front compartment. No popped rivets, no separation at rub rail, and no cracks. I keep watching it. I don’t think JC would cover it anyway. I scraped pretty hard at a CG near Pinedale WY several years ago. That “may be” the cause.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by RxGuy

I had my insurance company pay for repairs at Jackson Center to my 2010 International 27FB in 2017 for this exact issue.

How-common-is-this-type-of-damage?

I questioned the factory at the time about reinforcing the area around the front storage compartment to prevent it from happening again....nope we don't do that.

Can you fab something up? Nope

The dimples at the corners of the storage compartment door have shown up again (they have been there for awhile), this time with a small stress crack included.

For the newer trailers there is now an engineered fix from Airstream, that from the posts here appears to be covered under warranty.

I might give JC a call to see if they would cover the repair on my trailer since they already fixed it once.

Yeah, I know...good luck with that. It's only a phone call. LOL

Chances of them covering it, slim to none....and slim's outta town.

How expensive is the "new fix" if you have to pay out of pocket?

Or how hard is doing it yourself?

In 2017, this issue was just showing up on the Forum, so likely AS was not aware it was widespread and did not have a fix yet. I have not had a front bed in my 3 25' AS's nor my 28' AS. All were rear bed, but I have been following the posts for past 3-4 years. My experience in JC has been good with them taking care of issues like this one. I would surely call and discuss. Especially if they already repaired earlier when they did not have a support part that they are using now.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Good luck this time around. I hope it’s covered under warranty, and they have a more permanent fix.
Ours hasn’t changed in two years, and lots of miles. We just have one dimple on the curb side lower corner of the front compartment. No popped rivets, no separation at rub rail, and no cracks. I keep watching it. I don’t think JC would cover it anyway. I scraped pretty hard at a CG near Pinedale WY several years ago. That “may be” the cause.

Thanks! Yes, they did cover it under warranty even though we’re outside the original 3 year period. I called and spoke to Warranty Department and explained that we had it done in 2020 but now have another gap between the body and belt line.

They said as long as the rear skids weren’t damaged, they’d most likely cover it. No questions asked; they installed the new brackets. Fingers crossed this is the end of it. You can tell the repair was done because the door frame has screws over the battery box instead of rivets.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

Thanks! Yes, they did cover it under warranty even though we’re outside the original 3 year period. I called and spoke to Warranty Department and explained that we had it done in 2020 but now have another gap between the body and belt line.

They said as long as the rear skids weren’t damaged, they’d most likely cover it. No questions asked; they installed the new brackets. Fingers crossed this is the end of it. You can tell the repair was done because the door frame has screws over the battery box instead of rivets.

Great news! I’m glad AS stepped up. Hopefully it’s a permanent repair. I would hope they are putting some engineering resources in place to solve this. They announced the other day that the 27FB was their best selling unit. If we would have wanted the queen bed, we’d have gone with the 27.

[keithstone]

Originally Posted by nitzo

As I see more posts to the two threads that relate to this. I'm a bit amazed at the attitudes dealing with getting it repaired. Mainly, "Well I guess I'll just travel across the country on my dime, using my time and hopefully they will fix it". Naw, not me. I want Airstream to send a enclosed transport, pick it up on a Sunday, take it to the factory, fix it RIGHT, and have it back on Saturday. Most of us have over a 100K in these things. It's a problem they have known about for a while and haven't done anything about. FIX IT.

100% agree... 80K + for a camper... this is unacceptable.. can it really be "fixed"
or is it a hack job band aid ?



so what does this mean? stay away from any FB ? we were thinking of getting an international or flying cloud.

[keithstone]

Originally Posted by Thiss

Airstream just announced partnership with Blue Ox.

Not my preferred sway control, but I may set up my new unit with the dealer installed Sway Pro. Sounds like a good way to hedge bets and let the dealer and factory take ownership if a problem occurs.

does anyone know if the R3 distribution hitch is ok for airstreams?

I have a 2021 titan with an R3 WDH