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paulsingh · 12-28-2015, 12:15 PM

I picked up a 2016 Classic last week and have been having a few issues with the batteries over the past few days (my other thread).

Long story short, I took the batteries out of the trailer today and took them down to the local Lifeline distributor. His first comment when seeing the batteries: "Did you say these batteries were in a new trailer built last month? These have a 2010 shipping date from Lifeline!"

So, here's my question: am I wrong for feeling a little angry that my brand new 2016 Classic was sold to me with batteries that may already be 5 years old (and outside of their 5 year factory warranty from Lifeline)?

grizbear · 12-28-2015, 12:24 PM

I would head back to the dealer. Sounds like someone traded them out on the lot I have seen dealers take parts from one for another to make a sell that day.

switz · 12-28-2015, 12:27 PM

That could be considered theft as the new batteries that were installed were most likely swapped out at the dealership.

I inspected our new 2014 Classic within 20 minutes of it arriving on the dealership lot. Airstream did install year old GYM tires on our Classic that I replaced as soon as I took the unit off the dealership lot with 16" Michelin tires and Sendel wheels. The batteries were okay as the unit was never open to the public and were replaced four months later with the four Lifeline 6ct 6Vdv 300 amp-hour batteries during the solar conversion and other modifications. The factory charger was thrown away and replaced with a programmable Magnum MS-2812 inverter/charger as part of the solar conversion.

Five year old batteries smells like five day old fish laying out on the warm sunny beach.

**moosetags** · 12-28-2015, 12:37 PM

Dealers do play musical chairs with the batteries on new Airstreams. When we bought our brand new 2005 Safari 25 FB, it had been on the dealers lot for 16 months. The OEM batteries were not much good. The dealer took two brand new Interstates from another Airstream parked right next to ours. We did not see him put our old batteries in the other Airstream, but it well may have gone that way.

I would be back at the dealer for brand new replacements. The dealer needs to make you right on this.

Brian

dkottum · 12-28-2015, 02:41 PM

Shame on someone at the dealership for that stunt.

CDONA · 12-28-2015, 02:54 PM

The factory buys batteries by the pallet, it would be easy to get a new trailer and have new batteries close to a year old. It depends on the deal from the battery factory that the PA (purchasing agent) gets.

Al and Missy · 12-28-2015, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDONA

The factory buys batteries by the pallet, it would be easy to get a new trailer and have new batteries close to a year old. It depends on the deal from the battery factory that the PA (purchasing agent) gets.

But his batteries are five years old. The dealer or airstream (if the dealer won't) should make this right, no questions asked.

Al

**moosetags** · 12-28-2015, 03:13 PM

Along this same line, I have a story to share. About a year ago, our youngest son took his Toyota Land Cruiser to a tire dealer. He replaced four tires on the Land Cruiser. Upon checking his OEM unused spare, he found that the dealership had replaced his brand new spare with an old worn out bald tire.

After discussion with the manager, his brand new spare was returned, and the $980 that he had paid for the four new tires was refunded to him.

Brian

paulsingh · 12-28-2015, 03:51 PM

OK, so I spoke to Colonial Airstream about it and it seems that their parts guy isn't sure about the year of manufacture. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now but given all the other issues I've been having with these batteries since I picked up the trailer last week, I'm assuming that their age has something to do with the inability to hold a full charge. We'll see what the Lifeline tests show tomorrow.

According the the local Lifeline distributor, the "HO" date code suggests a manufacture date in 2010. Googling around a bit, it seems there's some confusion about whether the first letter is the year or the second letter is the year.

In case someone on here has some better info, I've attached some photos of the batteries. How do I read the date code on these batteries?

StrmyWeather · 12-28-2015, 04:10 PM

This is from Colonial Airstream in NJ?!

paulsingh · 12-28-2015, 04:10 PM

Yep. :/

SteveSueMac · 12-28-2015, 04:10 PM

Given my dealings with Colonial - I would be shocked if they didn't make this right with a new pair of batteries. Talk with Patrick in Sales and/or Tony on Service. Having 5 year old batteries in a 2016 trailer is either a mistake from Ohio or a mistake on Colonial's lot. Either way - I'm confident they'll take care of it. Good luck and happy camping!

paulsingh · 12-28-2015, 04:13 PM

The service department is unfortunately closed this week and, unfortunately, I'm a full-timer in my Classic... which now has no batteries and I'm currently drycamping.

Patrick's been responsive but their message so far has been "I think we have to wait till next week to figure this out."

SteveSueMac · 12-28-2015, 04:19 PM

Sorry to hear that Paulsingh. Are you able to drive to a nearby RV store or Maine supply, AutoZone or Walmart? If it were me, I'd buy a pair of batteries (you want deep cycle, not cold cranking amps) and save the receipts for reimbursement from either Colonial or Airstream.

Bit of a drag but no need to suffer while camping if you can replace them yourself and have the dealer take care of it later.

Either way, good luck!

paulsingh · 12-28-2015, 04:26 PM

Yep, I can actually purchase the exact same batteries from a local Lifeline distributor. The retail cost is ~$900 but Patrick was explicit about not replacing things until his service team gets in next week.

It's frustrating (and cold) -- they know I'm fulltiming but it doesn't seem like a priority to them now that I've already purchased the trailer. A little empathy would go a long way for me, to be honest.

SteveSueMac · 12-28-2015, 05:01 PM

Can't disagree - that is frustrating. My experience with them (on a series of repairs including what ended up being a (correct) reinstall of my hitch) was so over the top good, I just can't imagine how they'd not make this right immediately. Where are you boondocking? My pair are on a float charger for the winter - if you're close enough, you can borrow mine until you get this resolved. Though I suspect you're not boondocking in New England... 😕

overlander63 · 12-28-2015, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsingh

OK, so I spoke to Colonial Airstream about it and it seems that their parts guy isn't sure about the year of manufacture. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now but given all the other issues I've been having with these batteries since I picked up the trailer last week, I'm assuming that their age has something to do with the inability to hold a full charge. We'll see what the Lifeline tests show tomorrow.

According the the local Lifeline distributor, the "HO" date code suggests a manufacture date in 2010. Googling around a bit, it seems there's some confusion about whether the first letter is the year or the second letter is the year.

In case someone on here has some better info, I've attached some photos of the batteries. How do I read the date code on these batteries?

Batteries use a letter and number date code. "A" is January, "B" is February, etc, and "0" is either decade 2000 or 2010. A 15 year old battery would be pretty obvious.

scamp · 12-28-2015, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDONA

The factory buys batteries by the pallet, it would be easy to get a new trailer and have new batteries close to a year old. It depends on the deal from the battery factory that the PA (purchasing agent) gets.

I got shafted on interstate garbage batteries ,they only have a one year warrantee ,and it doesn't go by when you bought the trailer it goes by the manufacturer date on the batteries . And if you have lifeline agm batteries that are 5 years old I would go back to were you bought the trailer as they owe you new batteries and a big apology ( these lifeline agm batteries ) in canada are about $400 per battery! Depends On model ,I know I have sun extender ( same manufacture concord)batteries for my solar system and on my airstream groupe 31 and they are $500 per battery!

Don

idroba · 12-28-2015, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsingh

According the the local Lifeline distributor, the "HO" date code suggests a manufacture date in 2010. Googling around a bit, it seems there's some confusion about whether the first letter is the year or the second letter is the year.

If you have already taken them to a lifeline distributor, and they said they are 5 years old, I would believe them and act on that information. Who else knows their date code better?

paulsingh · 12-28-2015, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idroba

If you have already taken them to a lifeline distributor, and they said they are 5 years old, I would believe them and act on that information. Who else knows their date code better?

Yeah, you're right @idroba. I trust the Lifeline distributor. Patrick from Colonial suggested that his parts guy thought it was a different date and that's when I started googling around.