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AWCHIEF · 05-09-2017, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

You're entitled to your opinion - but I think this is a pretty crappy way to treat and label people who are trying to earn a decent living. It's way more complicated than blaming front line workers....

You are absolutely right. I am sure they are working to the best of their ability and training. So it is obviously not their fault that the work is substandard.

SteveSueMac · 05-09-2017, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

You are absolutely right. I am sure they are working to the best of their ability and training. So it is obviously not their fault that the work is substandard.

I infer from this that you're dismissing my point which I (admittedly long-windedly) explained in #72 and was more eloquently put in a former manufacturing CEO's reply in #80. Again you're entitled to your opinion, but if you're going to insult people like you have, I think you owe it to them to consider the broader perspective. Whatever floats your boat.

Tim A. · 05-09-2017, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

You are absolutely right. I am sure they are working to the best of their ability and training. So it is obviously not their fault that the work is substandard.

Management should be responsible for their workers having the requisite ability and training. Substandard work usually means substandard management.

Tim

xrvr · 05-09-2017, 10:25 PM

Having never been in management but having more jobs than I can list here, I can assure you that the line workers work down to the expectation of management.

Ray Eklund · 05-11-2017, 08:34 AM

The Best of the Best front line employees at Airstream, Jackson Center are doing warranty work on those trailers brought back to Ohio.

We, as customers, have no control over the production on the assembly line. We have minimal control over the potential problems during and after the warranty period.

Our trailers have no odometer or 'time used' clocks as do my ATV and Riding Lawn Mower. Many owners use their trailers for 4 weeks, or less, a year and the warranty expires before components are put to use to test their endurance. With the electronics being produced today, maybe their could be a odometer mileage warranty and not the time warranty on these products.

Having a short warranty 'exposure' period benefits and promotes disinterest in quality over paying closer attention to details and the source of components used in our Airstreams.

I received a $2 snap switch as my 'warranty' part coverage, after purchase. I had been forced to purchase one on Ebay, before the snap switch was sent to me from Jackson Center. Requests to replace the refrigerator noisy fan were ignored and, again, Ebay purchase solved that problem.

Am I happy over my purchase? As long as I understand that I am on my own and major components do not fail. Now that my warranty period has expired... I have no recourse.

Buy USED. My 25 foot International will be tested, parts improved and replaced without any regard to the suitability of any components provided by Airstream.

If it were not for the experienced Airstream Owners on this Forum... I would have no place to go but the RV Lot where my trailer was purchased at $100 an hour. The AirForums, is indeed, our best source of information.

Thank you.

mythbuster88 · 05-12-2017, 04:20 AM

Having read the forums we were ready for repairs when we got this thing.
We like it and we can fix stuff.
But facts are facts.

1. Screen door latch was mounted incorrectly
2. Stove top missing self taping screw in one burner
3. One way valve installed backwards in black tank flush
4. Grey water tank sensors
5. Bathroom heater duct smashed by wire bundle.
6. Missing screw in converter panel
7. Large air gap under the twin bed
8. Shower door leaked
9. Galley drawers come off the rails
10. Manual has multiple errors
11. The knobs come off the windows

This is a partial list since the ol' brain is in an Airstream repair blur state

Tires and converter are suspect so we upgraded.
I was retired until I bought this thing. Have been working constantly for weeks getting ready for our North Carolina to Redondo Beach via solar eclipse journey. Things are looking very good.

Julie-Bob · 05-14-2017, 04:53 PM

Just think if you purchased an auto with this much wrong. Pay top dollar for poor QC. First trip with out 25' Classic the kitchen sink fell out of the cabinet. Great QC. The park cable would not work, missing small pig tail connector under table, shower door leaked, steps would not lock down on one side. Great QC.

GMFL · 05-14-2017, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie-Bob

Just think if you purchased an auto with this much wrong. Pay top dollar for poor QC. First trip with out 25' Classic the kitchen sink fell out of the cabinet. Great QC. The park cable would not work, missing small pig tail connector under table, shower door leaked, steps would not lock down on one side. Great QC.

Do you still have your airstream? And if so you must be happy with it to some level. Airstream has problems for sure, but the sad part is...... they are the best game in town. SOB trailers are even crappyer. With cardboard walls and sticker thin veneers.

xrvr · 05-14-2017, 05:06 PM

What's a park cable. If you're talking about the breakaway cable it isn't used as a parking brake.

PharmGeek · 05-14-2017, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avionstream

What's a park cable. If you're talking about the breakaway cable it isn't used as a parking brake.

Probably an interstate

SeaLevel · 05-14-2017, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

Probably an interstate

25' Classic... according to the post.

GMFL · 05-14-2017, 06:25 PM

{"The park cable would not work, missing small pig tail connector under table,"}

They mean park cable TV. Older Airstream's had a coax jumper that had to be in place under the dinette table for cable TV to work.

SeeMore · 06-13-2017, 05:31 PM

I had to chuckle after viewing the attached link. I imagine the choice for a SOB brand might encounter way more QC issues introduced by an industrially optimized assembly process. Enjoy this clip of how a complete Jayco is built in a little over 6 hours and the speed assemblers are required to achieve:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/jXMJrRQ3SVk

Julie-Bob · 06-13-2017, 09:23 PM

I'm sorry for the delay getting back to you. The tv would not work on cable I would hook the RV park tv cable to the trailer and go to the menu to find the tv cable stations. Nothing. Found that the small jumper cable under the dining table was missing on the 2009FB Classic that I have.

Troutboy · 06-13-2017, 09:58 PM

Wow Seemore, informative. Jayco, built in 6 hours, AS in 6 days....... which has more chances of failure.....

AWCHIEF · 06-14-2017, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troutboy

Wow Seemore, informative. Jayco, built in 6 hours, AS in 6 days....... which has more chances of failure.....

Better question, which has more failures?

GettinAway · 06-14-2017, 06:05 AM

Six days to build an AS? I didn't know that. Surprised it takes that long. There must be a few steps where it sits "curing" for a day or four, correct?

WestieHouse · 06-14-2017, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breezinalong

The fit and finish on just about any recreational vehicle, short of high end custom builds, suffers from questionable quality control. And Airstream is no different. At least they offer a 2 year factory warranty. My buddy just bought a $106K 5th wheel with a 1 year warranty.

Once you get past the initial aggravation, it'll all be good. And when you go to sell it at some point, you'll be real happy you chose Airstream.

I wonder how many of us would accept " because everybody does it" as a reasonable explanation (excuse) from our adolescent children when they violate our reasonable expectations for their performance?

Boeing builds 747's rapidly, but you will never find metal shavings or loose rivets inside. And all the wiring will be properly connected. I am not sure of the warranty period, but I bet it is at least two years. When you build it right, you can afford to offer lifetime warranties.

I had more problems (quantity and significance) with one Airstream in the first 30 days than the combined lifetime total I have had with 9 new autos from manufacturers in 3 countries (USA -3, Japan - 3, and Germany - 3).

Yes, I love my Airstream and it is in better shape than when I bought it. But this is no excuse for poor workmanship and QC. "American made" should mean more than what Airstream exemplifies.

WestieHouse · 06-14-2017, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Better question, which has more failures?

Yes. A 747 takes a only a little longer to build, but has millions of parts and none of the quality issues described in these threads.

http://www.flixxy.com/boeing-737-time-lapse.htm

Julie-Bob · 06-14-2017, 02:13 PM

QC in the aviation industry is why a B-52 bomber built in 1964 is yet flying Yup the last B-52 came off the line in 1964. Can you imagine if airstream had a great QC department just half as an aircraft builder has. Yes it may cost a little more but the end product. Wow. I have listened to airstream owners for the last 7 years, all say the same thing, dealers to not provide good service after purchase. Their airstream had problems, the warranty is based on days from sale not used time. I guess that's why there are so many repair shops.