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flmgrip · 01-02-2010, 06:03 PM

Ok, so there is a lot of trash talk going on about SOB's... So here I go...

I bought a brandnew 25' international less than six month ago... I had to bring it back to the dealer allready three times and I am due for a fourth time... I'm not looking forward to it because the service department sucks and shruggs there shoulders at a lot of the problems I wanted them to fix it last time around...

I don't even care about the small problem such as the one 12volt outlet that is too small to plug the standard cigarette plug into it... Response from airstream dealership: that's the way they come... Great an outlet that I can't use because it's to small...

I've been having a dripping leak problem in the area of the tanks, the problem seems to be mainly there when the gray tank is getting towards the full level...Response from airstream dealership: we can't find a leak and we are good at finding leaks... Great I have a brandnew airstream with a leak and the dealer refuses to find it/fix it...

I can't even boondock for one nite when I have to run the furnace... Response from airstream dealership: the furnace uses a lot of power you can't expect to run the furnace all nite... Great I thought AS advertises even the greatness of indepandancy... On top of that everytime the furnace kicks on it sounds like an jet is taking off...

The door doesn't shut close (to where I can engage the deadbolt) unless I really slam the door, wakup for sure anyone else sleeping in my trailer and half the campground too. Really - this is bad and unacceptable... Response from airstream dealership: that's the way they come, they shut tight... Great I have an AS I can't lock the door on unless I wake up everyone in a 100ft radius...

Folks don't get me wrong... I love my airstream, especially my interior. But I got this thing to get away from stress and my everyday life... My last trip was miserable, stressful and freaking cold with a door that barley would stay closed and an ongoing leak that is really starting to worry me.

I knew going in that there might be a few little kinks getting into this... But am I expecting too much from a $60.000 brandnew trailer? I know this is not a $500.000 diesel pusher, but shouldn't I expect to receive a working product at least when it's new???

I'm really feed up with this, not looking forward to get back to the dealer beause he'll tell me all this things are normal...

I don't know what to do next if they can't fix my leak, battery problem and the door... I am considering legal actions next since I doubt they will take the trailer back for a full refund...

Your opinions are appreciated!!!

Thanks

firedog · 01-02-2010, 06:09 PM

Thats why I bought a 1992 excella classic,you should have saved your money, and bought a older well maintained A/S. New ones are great but all tailer regardless of SOB have issues even, Airstreams.Its the natues of the beast.

wheel interested · 01-02-2010, 06:12 PM

I know it is very frustrating. You are hardly alone unfortunately in that regard. Eventually your issues will be discovered and taken care of and then all this inconvenience and aggravation will be behind you and you will again enjoy your beautiful new Airstream. Hang in there. New is hardly perfect. Finding a place you feel good about taking it for service will also improve the situation if needs be.

Have you tested your batteries? They may not be charging all the way up and need replacing. The heater should certainly work all night even two nights on the battery charge if full. Leaks are hard to find just keep at trying to trace it. The doors seem to be like that from all I have shut. It was much worse for my neighbors when I used to smoke and poked my head out several times in the wee hours...I didn't like having to slam the door but anything less didn't let the deadbolt latch.

2airishuman · 01-02-2010, 06:30 PM

your problems listed above are EASY ...

1.

-the round 12v outlets SOMETIMES have a thin metal sleeve inside that narrow the size.

-IF this sleeve is removed ALL NORMAL 12v male plugs will fit.
_____________

2.

-the VENT TUBE attachment at the TOP of the gray tank is occasionally the source of leaks in a "full' gray tank.

this is VERY HARD to find because it is on TOP of the tank and hidden in closet wall.

basically the way this is FOUND is to FILL the gray tank till water is backing UP in the shower pan.

THEN look for leaks at the vent tube location.
______________

3.

-the batteries need to be REPLACED, they are NOT holding a charge.

-this is a simple quick fix and they should still have SOME warranty coverage from either the dealer OR the battery vendo.

ALL of us with newer trailers (and 2 batteries) can typically get 2 nites of furnace use on 2 batteries at a minimum.
_______________

4.

-door closing/locking

the door can be an issue, but the LATCH and POST are both adjustable. typically once adjusted the door closes VERY easily...

like 2 fingers of effort, but ONLY after the POST or LATCH is adjusted.

seals/gaps are a whole different issue.
_____________

other threads on this theme...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...ory-39388.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f292...ime-31954.html

or see post #13 here and ALL of the LINKS contained...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...tml#post581291

your list of issues is TINY.

the primary issue may be a crappy/uncaring/unskilled dealer, OR poor interaction from the customer side...

but rv'ing means facing the UNKNOWN and misc surprises every trip.

some folks just aren't cut out for this sort of travel

or don't have the ability to deal with issues as they happen and learn to adapt, improvise and overcome.

hotels are easier for some.

which ez U?

cheers
2air'

craftsman · 01-02-2010, 06:30 PM

The simple and honest answer to your question, Is it all that or not?" is, "NOT"

big_john · 01-02-2010, 06:30 PM

someone has to buy the new ones, fix em, and then sell em to uss poor bastards that cannot afford new. We appreciate all of your hard work!

Yes....I am a regal SMARTA$$!!!

Seriously though:

1. All fan motors sound like jet engines.
2. All fan motors pull more Amp Hours than almost anything DC on your AS - guaranteed.
3. What's an odd leak amongst friends? Of all the things you listed they oughta fix this if you can show it to them...I cannot believe they would refuse a repair if the leak is obvious.
4. Boondock in the spring/summer? You live in SoCal...its hardly EVER furnace weather there, right?
5. There is NOTHING like the security of a heavily closed AS door. Mine has TWO deadbolts and a locking handle - the louder the noise the better!!!

Most of us carry a firearm on our camper for extra security as well...oh...you live in the People's Republic of California...nevermind...

Happy Campy!

Astroboy · 01-02-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

The door doesn't shut close (to where I can engage the deadbolt) unless I really slam the door...

I used to have to pull strongly to slam and shut my door.

I fixed by shimming the hinges. In my case at close inspection, the deadbolt (on the door) and the strike plate (on the frame) weren't meeting at the same height.

I needed to raise and shim the door a few millimeters. I picked up some nylon washers, make a cut on one side, and insert one to each hinge while I lift the door with my foot.

A fraction of millimeter shimmed at the hinges resulted in a few millimeters change in height at the deadbolt.

It worked great. Whenever I step inside the trailer, the door shuts itself properly with no effort.

Inland RV Center, In · 01-02-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flmgrip

Ok, so there is a lot of trash talk going on about SOB's... So here I go...

I bought a brandnew 25' international less than six month ago... I had to bring it back to the dealer allready three times and I am due for a fourth time... I'm not looking forward to it because the service department sucks and shruggs there shoulders at a lot of the problems I wanted them to fix it last time around...

I don't even care about the small problem such as the one 12volt outlet that is too small to plug the standard cigarette plug into it... Response from airstream dealership: that's the way they come... Great an outlet that I can't use because it's to small...

I've been having a dripping leak problem in the area of the tanks, the problem seems to be mainly there when the gray tank is getting towards the full level...Response from airstream dealership: we can't find a leak and we are good at finding leaks... Great I have a brandnew airstream with a leak and the dealer refuses to find it/fix it...

I can't even boondock for one nite when I have to run the furnace... Response from airstream dealership: the furnace uses a lot of power you can't expect to run the furnace all nite... Great I thought AS advertises even the greatness of indepandancy... On top of that everytime the furnace kicks on it sounds like an jet is taking off...

The door doesn't shut close (to where I can engage the deadbolt) unless I really slam the door, wakup for sure anyone else sleeping in my trailer and half the campground too. Really - this is bad and unacceptable... Response from airstream dealership: that's the way they come, they shut tight... Great I have an AS I can't lock the door on unless I wake up everyone in a 100ft radius...

Folks don't get me wrong... I love my airstream, especially my interior. But I got this thing to get away from stress and my everyday life... My last trip was miserable, stressful and freaking cold with a door that barley would stay closed and an ongoing leak that is really starting to worry me.

I knew going in that there might be a few little kinks getting into this... But am I expecting too much from a $60.000 brandnew trailer? I know this is not a $500.000 diesel pusher, but shouldn't I expect to receive a working product at least when it's new???

I'm really feed up with this, not looking forward to get back to the dealer beause he'll tell me all this things are normal...

I don't know what to do next if they can't fix my leak, battery problem and the door... I am considering legal actions next since I doubt they will take the trailer back for a full refund...

Your opinions are appreciated!!!

Thanks

Call Jim Parrott at Airstream, Monday, and advise him of your trailers problems, your disappointments, etc.

He can authorize you to take the coach to someone else, like ourselves, to remedy the warrant problems.

Try that before you waste the time, energy and money, on any attorney.

Call 937-5966111 and ask for Jim.

I have his extension number, but I am not at my office until Monday.

Andy

tkasten · 01-02-2010, 07:10 PM

Sounds like you need a new dealership. I've not had the luxury of owning a new Airstream but I am with you in that it should be a wonderful experience not what you are going through. Sounds like most items are not hard to deal with except for the leak. For that money you shouldn't have the grief.

Tim

Gene · 01-02-2010, 07:55 PM

flm', your story sounds familiar. We too had a bad dealer. A letter to Thor's president helped get some things fixed, but eventually we decided to get warranty issues fixed at the factory service center, 1,400 miles away (another 1,000 for you). It's crazy that owners have to deal with this crap. We have had scores of problems fixed.

As for the door, check to see if the dead bolt assembly has been greased inside. Ours hadn't and a little grease made it work much better. You can also put some paraffin on the striker plate. Otherwise the door can be out of adjustment.

Batteries—how long was the trailer sitting on the dealer lot? They could have repeatedly run the batteries down all the way thereby shortening their life. The furnace fan and ducting system eats batteries, but they should last a couple of days if you are careful with other items. A solar panel and a generator help. The Fantastic Fans use much less power.

As you go through Forum threads you will find you are not alone. Frustration with Airstream leads us all to black humor.

Gene

ROBERT CROSS · 01-02-2010, 09:02 PM

flm,

If yours was a 25ft Classic,and this was 2004, I would trade you in a New York minute.

I hope those are all the concerns you have.

It does get better........... really.

85MH325 · 01-02-2010, 09:07 PM

Not to pour salt in the wound, but I've had my SOB for three years now, and have never had it back to the dealership for anything, and everything still works just like it should. And your experience is exactly why I didn't go back to Airstream after twenty years of Airstream ownership.

Roger

flmgrip · 01-02-2010, 09:16 PM

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words and letting me vent, 2air and others gave some good pointers...

Andy I will take your advise and just do that, I truly think my 'service center' has an attitude and doesn't really care much...

2air, I think my interaction is fine with the dealer, also I believe I'm skilled/handy enough to tackle many problems. However if I wanted to have fixer-upper I would have choosen to buy a classic... I know things can and will happen, but I should have to spend my time and personal effort on such new trailer...

I have heard great things about Andy, so hopefully I can make the switch and deal with a more caring staff...

Thanks!

Goin camping · 01-02-2010, 09:19 PM

Firmgrip,

2Air addressed your issues the only one I would add is that you are clearly going to a pretty poor service center.

You can have your warranty work done by the dealership or an authorized Airstream repair center. They don't sell them. They just fix them.

In Bellflower there is C&G and I think Inland is one also. Go on the otherwise useless Airstream website and you can search for one.

2airishuman · 01-02-2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flmgrip

...I think my interaction is fine with the dealer...

really?

so you've got follow up for us on this thread?

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f348...due-58518.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by flmgrip

...However if I wanted to have fixer-upper I would have choosen to buy a classic... I know things can and will happen, but I should have to spend my time and personal effort on such new trailer...

they are all fixer uppers.

but some have warranties and MOST need a lot done in first year or so of use.
___________

there just may be MORE in play in this case, that as 3rd parties we are not privy too...

cheers
2air'

slowmover · 01-02-2010, 09:48 PM

As to the vent pipe I found the solution suggested worked on mine as well, another brand, and a problem of many years standing. Some things are endemic to RV's.

My parents kept theirs 27-years. There is always something to which to attend after time, use and miles have taken their toll. But not so much that one is trading trailer for trailer every 6-7 years.

Best to begin anew with another service department.

flmgrip · 01-02-2010, 11:22 PM

2air, there is reasons for having different threads for different topics. The one you are trying to dig up has nothing to do with this topic. And there is no update to the other topic u mentioned.

The service department has nothing to do with the sales department. The only thing they have in common us that they are on the same lot. So please stop trying to veer this thread in a different direction.

However I do appreciate your great advise on the problems I noted. Further more i will make the switch to a service center with a good reputation.

Last it is said for me to hear that all AS are fixer uppers (I guess maybe all campers are?) I guess it's a shame how little money these days buys you and how little pride one takes in trying to make an reliable product.

I like the look - inside and out, I like the way it tows and I'll accept the fact that I will have to fix things myself. But I refuse to give in and fix something myself that should have been in working order from day one.

I have bought many things over the years but have never had that many problems from the get-go. Maybe I was just lucky... But my car, my home, my computer, my bike ... None of them did I have to return for fixing before I really got to use it.

There is an serious QC issue with AS (and maybe with others too)

I know and hope things will get better... And no, I'm not selling

Goin camping · 01-03-2010, 12:20 AM

All Airstreams are fixer uppers?

I don't subscribe to that. I acknowledge that a house on wheels bumping and vibrating down the highway (Or in my case dirt roads.)will need more maintenance than a stationary one would.

In the first three years of this trailer there have been two warranty issues and three upgrades. The power jack died and was replaced and the formica veneer started peeling from the front of the counter. The factory fix was to install a metal strip. Looks very good by the way.

The upgrades were my choice to make my trailer do more of what I wanted it to do.

Yes there is the occasional tighten/refasten type repair. Are they perfect? No but they are fun and comfortable.

sempi2 · 01-03-2010, 12:20 AM

We bought ours used, 2004 Safari. We never really checked out anything. Dumb on our part, but we have had no problems at all. I am sure that we will have issues the longer we have the A/S, but we are very pleased with our choice. Our local dealer - Sutton in Eugene Or- has been very helpful with any questions we have called to ask about. Hope you will get all your issues resolved.

85MH325 · 01-03-2010, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goin camping

All Airstreams are fixer uppers?

I have owned Airstreams almost continuously since 1987. I'm on my ninth Airstream (a 1994 B-Van) since then. I have refurbished and/or restored several trailers/mohos to varying degrees. Three of them needed very little, and two of them weren't 'fixer uppers' at all when I bought them. I lived in one full-time for nearly a year.

So, I think I'm as qualified as anyone to answer that question, and I'm afraid I'd have to answer with a qualified 'yes'; all Airstreams ARE fixer-uppers. I'd have to say that 'most' Airstreams are or become fixer uppers in a very short time, if not right off the showroom floor. In fact, the problems are frequent enough in new coaches that I couldn't recommend an Airstream to a friend without telling him to expect to have service issues from the get-go. If you understand that, and are still willing to buy one, great. If you're expecting a nearly trouble-free experience with your new $60k+ coach, I'd have tell them that it's possible, but the odds are against them.

After twenty years of nearly continuous Airstream ownership I can tell you (painting with a very broad brush here) that the trailers built after about 1974 had many more issues than those built before. I'll go even further to say that those built after 1989 generally have had problems built into them.

The later '70s rear bath trailers suffered from frame separation from poor engineering. That was solved by '77 or '78. The tambour doors were trendy, but difficult. The 80s trailers were, for the most part solid, but there aren't many '80s vintage trailers out there. The '90s trailers suffered from clear coat peel and headliners that fall. The trailers built in the last ten years have QC problems with fit and finish, filiform corrosion, plumbing leaks... the list is lengthy.

No obviously, not every trailer from each era exhibits those problems, but they're common enough and problematic enough that, after my '94 Limited tri-axle for three years, I went shopping for a better value for my money.

And don't get me wrong... I still love Airstreams... but not enough to plop $60k on one and have the problems that many of the folks here have had to deal with. After nearly 70 years of manufacturing, one would think that a $60k trailer would be problem-free coming off the line... alas that's not the case.

And that is possible. I've posted in other threads that the '06 25' $32k SOB I bought had a punch-list of a whopping seven items when I picked it up, and most of those had been caused by folks walking through it on the showroom rather than being manufacturing issues. My SOB, despite being used fairly heavily, hasn't had to go back to the dealership for anything since we bought it.

So... I paid half the dollars for actually more features that I find important (four-season-use insulation, dual-thermopane windows, and an 11k BTU a/c unit that we can only run on 'low' because it'll freeze us out in the summer in Iowa) and have had no issues at all. It has no seams to leak and will not corrode. The downside is that it doesn't have the "Airstream Chic" appearance that I so enjoy, but I'm ok with it because my trips are where I want to go, not from service center to service center; and my time isn't spent working on repairing the trailer.

Roger