What caused front panel creases?

[jaybauman]

Originally Posted by TexasVine

I'm not totally confident in the dealer (Holiday World, Katy, TX)....

You should run--not walk--away from those jokers. There is another Airstream-approved shop in Houston that is competent and communicative. Send me a private message if you want details on why you should not let HW Katy anywhere near your trailer. After you hear my adventures, you'll want to burn that place to the ground.

[candrews768]

A shame because we just came from JC and they worked in that compartment Is this the start of the separation?

[Jason P M]

Originally Posted by Mikey62

I too just took delivery of a 2021 International 27FBQ with the rear hatch a month ago. I do not see any sign yet but I will keep a close watch for this issue.



I just can’t believe that this seems to be such a common issue, why don’t they use a stronger frame on these trailer? I have noticed that the frame on these trailers seems quite flimsy in comparison to the last trailer I owned (2005 26ft Komfort). I have noticed when I am parked at home and on a flat surface and tried to check the level of the trailer using a 4ft level on the floor, the level will not sit flat on the floor over the axle. Forward or back of the axle slope down from the center. I check this out with a laser level that I have and the center over the axle is about ¼ of an inch higher than the front and back.

I have the same on my 2021 GT 25FBT. There is a very noticeable “hump” in the floor over the axles.

[Ray Eklund]

Post #62... candrews768... I am getting more convinced that it is the position of that one rivet on each side of the storage compartment is the cause and effect for the indent. Remove the stress... and the indent should relax and not progress.

Anyone try that?

[lsawye01]

We have a 2019 FC 27 Front Bed Queen and have the same problem. Ours is currently being repaired at A&P in Paradise Tx. Ours is out of warranty but AS has agreed to foot the bill. Now, does anyone honestly think AS would fix this problem if it was caused by your TV setup? I don't think so. Just one of those engineering flaws that sometimes slip through the system.
One man's opinion......

[tjdonahoe]

Heavy tow vehicle and Avery stiff hitch…

[tombeattie]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Post #62... candrews768... I am getting more convinced that it is the position of that one rivet on each side of the storage compartment is the cause and effect for the indent. Remove the stress... and the indent should relax and not progress.

Anyone try that?

Ray,
My 2011 27FB does not have the rivets in either side...it doesn't have the dimples/wrinkles/cracks/indents either.....it does have 6 phillips head screws replacing the bottom center rivets of the door frame though so maybe someone got in there and repaired it before. It also has aluminum diamond plate screwed into the floor of the front compartment rather than just a rubber mat like in the later models - maybe adds to the stiffness in that area? I dunno.

Tom

[SSquared]

My 2013 also has diamond plate on the floor of the compartment. And underneath, the plywood floor is protected by sheet metal. So I can't get at the wood to find out if water is getting in. Given that this problem (I have dimples but no missing rivets so far) can create a leak, I consider the metal a deficiency..

[Ray Eklund]

Airstream knows the FIX.

The FIX was done BEFORE the Dealer received the FB model?

My response was... Buzz Off... and some reference to the Jackson Center Service not giving instructions to do anything.

This sounds like a FIX being done on earlier models?

I firmly believe that it is the RIVET causing the Indent on later models. Now I have to figure out how to remove it, then seal it and cover with an adhesive aluminum film.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Post #62... candrews768... I am getting more convinced that it is the position of that one rivet on each side of the storage compartment is the cause and effect for the indent. Remove the stress... and the indent should relax and not progress.

Anyone try that?

Really...the rivet didn't pop BECAUSE of the construction, (frame, skin & ribs) flexing?
Poor design & execution IMHO.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Really...the rivet didn't pop BECAUSE of the construction, (frame, skin & ribs) flexing?
Poor design & execution IMHO.

Bob
����

*****

My RIVET did not Pop. Just everything around it.

The Buck Rivets on the bottom left and right (5 or 6) of the frame holding the Storage Compartment door had popped and were missing. I used 3/4 inch Lath Screws to replace those that failed and added four or five to secure it better.

But... the rivets that are CAUSING the Indents... are Firm and Solid.

Do you DRILL those out to remove? Obviously I have nothing to do this week and tossing out ideas. Start with a small drill bit and work up? Or drill through and it will take out the hammered part on the other side so the Rivet can be removed.

Better I do this and know, than do nothing and complain later. I say.

[TexasVine]

"Update from Original Poster"

After a month of my trailer sitting at the dealer, I drove 3 hours on Monday to the dealer to discuss the hold up.

I was able to get the dealer to forward pictures of the damaged area after the skin was peeled back from the problem area.

The factory discussed the fix with the service manager and reviewed part list for the process. The dealer has ordered the parts (last Monday) and will proceed with the fix. I was also given a follow up call from the factory in regard to the conversations they had with the dealer.

To get to this point I had to personally get involved with the the factory and push the process through to the dealer. The factory has been responsive to my calls and requests. With that being said, my first call to the factory was approximate a mont ago. The major hurdle was waiting for the dealer to peel back the aluminum siding and send the factory the pics.

Hopefully we will finally be moving forward with a timely and proper repair.

[Jason P M]

Well I went to pick up my 2021 GT 25FBT today from storage and the first thing I did was check for this. Sure enough, same thing. Trailer is less than a year old with less than 5000 miles on it. I will be calling the dealer tomorrow.

[Life is a Highway]

Hope these helps to show how the shell is bolted on. This is not a front locker. It is a Demo in the Tampa Airstream Dealer. You can now see the shell off.

[2008AS]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Heavy tow vehicle and Avery stiff hitch…

This is incorrect.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by 2008AS

This is incorrect.

Not quite...on overly stiff TV suspension along with a stiff hitch lash-up can, and has, caused AS damage.
Clear enough?

Bob
🇺🇸

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Life is a Highway

Hope these helps to show how the shell is bolted on. This is not a front locker. It is a Demo in the Tampa Airstream Dealer. You can now see the shell off.



Attachment 407215

Attachment 407216

Attachment 407217

Attachment 407218

This is correct, now that shell is attached to the floor before it is set on the frame, this method eliminates the possibility of the front hold down plate that was used from the 1950s into the 1990s at least.

In the earlier construction method, the plywood floor was attached to the frame before the body was built on top of it. That permitted the used of a front hold down plate.

[2008AS]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Not quite...on overly stiff TV suspension along with a stiff hitch lash-up can, and has, caused AS damage.

Clear enough?



Bob

[emoji631]

This topic is about chronic hatch defects on 27’ trailers. While there are many, many things that can damage a trailer, tight bars and stiff suspensions aren’t the primary culprit.

The problems with this model seem to be far more than with any other model. Suggesting a defect in the design, not poor towing techniques.

Clear enough?

[Jason P M]

Originally Posted by Jason P M

Well I went to pick up my 2021 GT 25FBT today from storage and the first thing I did was check for this. Sure enough, same thing. Trailer is less than a year old with less than 5000 miles on it. I will be calling the dealer tomorrow. Attachment 407201Attachment 407202Attachment 407203Attachment 407204

I went back and watched the video I took of my orientation when I picked up my trailer in April. The crease is there even before I picked up the trailer. Not sure when/how it happened, but yet another case of damage before leaving the dealer lot.

[Woolecox]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Not quite...on overly stiff TV suspension along with a stiff hitch lash-up can, and has, caused AS damage.
Clear enough?

Bob
����

This has been discussed at length on other threads. Airstream admits the problem and is claiming that the 2022's will have a more ridged frame.

Here is a link to the post where I discuss the problem with the factory. You can see their response for yourself if you read down for a few post. See post 107 for the factory reply. I have saved the email in case legal action is needed.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...ml#post2544157