Crazy Happening on Maiden Voyage

[Mikenbern]

We picked up our 2017 Flying Cloud 27FB in Tampa on last Monday all went smooth. We trailered it back to Ocala (1.5 hours) with no worries; in fact it pulled really well. We packed it on Tuesday and headed to West central Georgia for a week of camping at Pine Mountain.

When we crossed the Georgia line about 2 hours later we pulled into the welcome center to use the rest room. I decided to walk around the trailer and make sure all was well.

The left side rear window was GONE !!!! Screen was intact and no window present. YIKES

I call the salesman Jeremy and he was very empathetic, within a few minutes I was talking with their service department and about 30 minutes later I was talking with Craig the warranty rep at the factory in Ohio.

We agreed I would send him pic of the trailer and the missing window; and then stopped at a lowes to buy clear gorilla tape and plastic to temporarily seal the window.

Craig finds an RV repair center near where we would be camping and arranges to send me a window and have the repair man come to the campground and install it.

On Friday the window arrives and when the guy comes to install we realize it is the wrong size.... ahhhhgh

Craig to the rescue again.... he finds the right size window has it overnighted. It arrives Saturday am and was installed by noon.

I am very pleased with the service, helpfulness and expediency in which this matter was handled.

Good job Airstream !!!

[FCStreamer]

So did it just fall out? Glad your were able to get it fixed!

[moosetags]

I have been Airstreaming and active on these Forums for a long time. That one is a first. Apparently some fasteners were left out at the factory. I am glad that I was not behind you on the highway when the glass fell out. When the new window was installed, did the technician have any idea what had happened?

We am glad to hear that your dilemma had a happy ending.

Brian

[cabinetmaker]

Wow not good but glad to see airstream got you fixed up!

What probably happened is the window got opened for some reason and when it was closed it never was latched fully shut...then the wind caught it and it flew open and broke.

The Airstream windows must be latched. I check all mine before leaving camp or home and setting out each trip.

[Mikenbern]

Best we can figure the window latches were not properly closed during the walk thru (possibly) then the wind created a vacum and the window popped open at highway speed and wham -

this is all conjecture as to the what caused it-- but the RV tech looked at and adjusted everything and said it looks perfect now.

Airstreams follow up, concern and timeliness were handled very well

[mwkersh]

Originally Posted by Mikenbern

Best we can figure the window latches were not properly closed during the walk thru (possibly) then the wind created a vacum and the window popped open at highway speed and wham -



this is all conjecture as to the what caused it-- but the RV tech looked at and adjusted everything and said it looks perfect now.



Airstreams follow up, concern and timeliness were handled very well

I can see that happening and I remember our tech stressed to make sure they were all closed before each trip. He did kind of a "preflight" walk around in addition to a typical walk though of the systems, features, etc.

[Isuzusweet]

Now you have found out the importance of YOUR pre tow check list! Never assume that someone else has checked over everything on your list, no matter how "professional" they are.

You need a check list and you need to follow that check list to the letter. If you get distracted by anything, your check list will tell you where you were in the list.

It is so easy to get distracted. I had an attractive woman come up and engage me in conversation about the Classic motorhome I own while I was putting away my water fill hose. I totally forgot to 1) put the water cap back on, and 2) close the water fill door. Less than a mile down the road the water cap flew off and was gone.

You now know the consequences of leaving a window unlatched. Very expensive next time you do it as it won't be under warranty.

Cheers
Tony

Cheers
Tony

[SeaLevel]

Based on the position of the latches in the first picture, it definitely does look like it wasn't properly latched for travel.

[paiceman]

Almost happened to us, on this our forth AS and 45 years of RVing. Our very last "pre-trip check" is a trailer walk thru. Usually by my wife, but for some reason I asked her if she had done it, it's so automatic she could not remember. So, I walked thru, checking all things that latch - yep, rear bedroom window not latched. Would have flown off within the first five miles or less.

Happy yours got fixed so smoothly - Craig sounds like a good service manager.

[AWCHIEF]

Crappy beginning, happy ending.

[Jbuccola]

Great to hear the service was superb! Does anyone have a link to a good checklist? Thanks!

[GammaDog]

On more than one occasion I've looked in my mirrors while moving at highway speed to see a window flapping like an ear on a running hound dog. Never had one blow off. I'll vote for the "something got left off that windier at JC" theory.

Not to move this in another direction, but it looks like the streetside lower rear panel (the curved one that wraps form the trailers side to the back) has two dents in it. This being a new trailer, did those come from the window as it flew off? If so, I'd be making a warranty claim on that work.

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by GammaDog

Not to move this in another direction, but it looks like the streetside lower rear panel (the curved one that wraps form the trailers side to the back) has two dents in it. This being a new trailer, did those come from the window as it flew off? If so, I'd be making a warranty claim on that work.

I think those are just rivet dimples.

[Mauinow]

Was the trailer delivered with the 2 huge dents below the red tail light?

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Jbuccola

Great to hear the service was superb! Does anyone have a link to a good checklist? Thanks!

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f138...ist-43294.html

[RLtravel]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f138...ist-43294.html

The link provided goes to an Inspection list for prospective purchasers. Can anyone provide a pre-flight checklist? I normally close the windows, but I didn't realize (or have forgotten) that they must be locked before taking off.

[Mikenbern]

Originally Posted by Mauinow

Was the trailer delivered with the 2 huge dents below the red tail light?

There no dents -- huge or small. It must be the lighting etc- i just checked again to be sure I did not overlook anything-- it is perfect.

The point of this post was to praise Airstream for the above and beyond resolution of this issue.

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by Mauinow

Was the trailer delivered with the 2 huge dents below the red tail light?

Those 'dents' are just rivets, where #2 man didn't hold his bucking bar tight enough.

[Hiwheel Joe]

Praise the dealer by naming them. I say Kudos for great service from both.

[Mikenbern]

It was Tampa RV http://www.rvone.com/tamparv/

The buying process was painless, and professional. They even called that evening to make sure the tow home went smoothly (1.5 hour drive)