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KCurtis · 04-01-2021, 12:29 PM

I just picked up my 2020 Airstream after having its first year axle maintenance done. I also decided to pay to have a pressurized leak test done. They found so many leaks that they contacted Airstream. Airstream paid 1/2 the cost as a positive good will. I appreciate that, but I wanted to encourage ALL OF YOU to get your trailers tested.

They said the pressurized test is good at forcing soon to be leaks to expose themselves too. My dealer (Airstream DFW) charges $279 for the test.

I just wanted to pass this along to all of you. I know it gives me a piece of mind knowing I had it done.

eagletoo · 04-01-2021, 12:49 PM

K,
Thanks for the heads-up. How long does the leak test take?

KCurtis · 04-01-2021, 02:14 PM

Not long. The waiting list was a week.

MMCMRET · 04-01-2021, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCurtis

I just picked up my 2020 Airstream after having its first year axle maintenance done. I also decided to pay to have a pressurized leak test done. They found so many leaks that they contacted Airstream. Airstream paid 1/2 the cost as a positive good will. I appreciate that, but I wanted to encourage ALL OF YOU to get your trailers tested.

They said the pressurized test is good at forcing soon to be leaks to expose themselves too. My dealer (Airstream DFW) charges $279 for the test.

I just wanted to pass this along to all of you. I know it gives me a piece of mind knowing I had it done.

Thanks for passing that along. That sounds like a good idea.

trilink5 · 04-02-2021, 09:32 AM

Not covered under warranty on a 2020? That doesn't seem right. Isn't one of Airstreams bragging points is how every unit is leak checked after it's constructed? Kinda embarrassing...

doughpat · 04-02-2021, 09:37 AM

This is neat. I'm assuming they pressurize the airstream (positive pressure) and maybe spray a soapy (bubbly) solution on the exterior? Anyone have any video of this? Seems like something one might be able to do at home to a reasonable extent....a couple of good size air compressors and some ingenuity....

switz · 04-02-2021, 09:40 AM

When our two airstreams were built (2014 31' Classic in December 2013/January 2014 and the 2015 23D International Serenity in September 2014, the factory water leak test was done before going over to the awning install shop..... Then the units returned to the other side of the shop for finishing.

What could possibly go wrong?????

Wazbro · 04-02-2021, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughpat

This is neat. I'm assuming they pressurize the airstream (positive pressure) and maybe spray a soapy (bubbly) solution on the exterior? Anyone have any video of this? Seems like something one might be able to do at home to a reasonable extent....a couple of good size air compressors and some ingenuity....

No, leaf blowers need high volume, not high pressure.

Jake · 04-02-2021, 10:48 AM

Excellent idea doughpat. Would also be interested in pics or instructions on a do-it-yourself leak test.

Fungus · 04-02-2021, 10:55 AM

Air will leak at a lower pressure than water because water has both higher viscosity (89X) and higher surface tension.

If the dealer used higher air pressure than the factory (and maybe too high), then the dealer may have detected air leaks that the factory test would not detect. Those leaks could be irrelevant for water.

I wonder what pressure the dealer used vs the factory and if either test bypassed the pressure regulator. I am unsure how a pressure regulator designed for water would regulate air pressure but I suspect that higher air pressure could pass through the pressure regulator due to viscosity and surface tension differences noted above. Maybe someone else with more knowledge can jump in here.

SSquared · 04-02-2021, 11:16 AM

There is a system called SealTech that is made to be used for leak testing RVs. It has a big fan they put in the RV with a long flexible tube feeding it. The end of the tube is attached to the bottom of the Fantastic Fan opening. The fan speed is adjustable to accommodate size of the RV. Then they spray soapy water on the outside.

I have this done to my 25FB by the Tucson dealer when the trailer was a few years old. They found quite a few places that blew bubbles. There were some that I don't think would ever have been a real problem, but I'm glad I had this done. The leak test and the patching were all done in an afternoon.

I would have had this done when my trailer was brand new, but the local dealer I bought it from did not do this type of leak test.

Does anyone know of a Colorado shop that performs this service?

JCWDCW · 04-02-2021, 12:18 PM

I fully agree with Fungus
"Air will leak at a lower pressure than water because water has both higher viscosity (89X) and higher surface tension."
The factory test as I understand it is to blast the exterior with water. Pressuring the inside of the AS simply tries to expands the shell like a balloon and it will find the weak spots...for Air. The air pressure is not all that high, just needs to be positive inside compared tp the outside pressure.

Not saying the test isn't worthwhile....sometimes that is the only way to find the source of a leak that has travelled 3 feet or more. and at least you get to touch up the weak spots.
JCW

KCurtis · 04-02-2021, 01:03 PM

They said the test would expose any leaks and potential leaks. That is why they are recommending it to their customers. It is a prevention step to head things off before they become a problem. I plan on having them do this test annually, because we all know what damage a leak can do.

Mikebrady62 · 04-03-2021, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCurtis

I just picked up my 2020 Airstream after having its first year axle maintenance done. I also decided to pay to have a pressurized leak test done. They found so many leaks that they contacted Airstream. Airstream paid 1/2 the cost as a positive good will. I appreciate that, but I wanted to encourage ALL OF YOU to get your trailers tested.

They said the pressurized test is good at forcing soon to be leaks to expose themselves too. My dealer (Airstream DFW) charges $279 for the test.

I just wanted to pass this along to all of you. I know it gives me a piece of mind knowing I had it done.

Just curious why they only paid half. Shouldn’t any leak be covered completely under warranty?
How were the leaks fixed?

trailerKat · 04-03-2021, 08:31 PM

Following

Fungus · 04-04-2021, 08:49 PM

Is the pressure test for water lines or the shell?

SSquared · 04-04-2021, 10:13 PM

We're talking about the shell.

KCurtis · 04-05-2021, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikebrady62

Just curious why they only paid half. Shouldn’t any leak be covered completely under warranty?
How were the leaks fixed?

Because I requested the test and paid for it. For some reason this isn't something that Airstream considers is normal - who knows why.

The leaks were on the outside shell. They used what Airstream recommends to seal it. I didn't ask exactly what it was.

link2dks · 04-07-2021, 09:17 AM

Airstream only warranties against leaks for 1st year of ownership. They do not pressure test trailers at the factory, they run them under a sprinkler system. Not sure if that's going to find much considering all the owners of new trailers that have leaks, myself included.

Dave S

Rfriebele · 04-07-2021, 10:10 AM

Excuse me but i don't see the value in pressure testing the shell. Based on my experience with our FC, simple inspection and maintenance revealed a number of gaps and crevices that could leak air under pressure but couldn't allow water in under typical circumstances of just rain falling by gravity. I sealed them myself easily to prevent road dust & or bugs from entering. I guess if it provides peace of mind, okay and I'm curious as to how they do it and what pressure they use. I once checked my window seals by simply turning both fans on high to pressurize the coach and feeling around the outside of the windows. Worked to my satisfaction.