How 'Green' are Airstreams?

[alamopokeymo]

I would love to have a new Airstream, but am concerned about the level of formaldahyde used in the various products. I am sensitive to this chemical. Does anyone have any information about this? Thanks for your help.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by alamopokeymo

I would love to have a new Airstream, but am concerned about the level of formaldahyde used in the various products. I am sensitive to this chemical. Does anyone have any information about this? Thanks for your help.

I would suggest that you contact Airstream Engineering, at 937-5966111, ext 7351. (Manufacturing engineering)

Andy

[2airishuman]

hi pokey...

i thought u wanted a toy hauler?

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...ler-56757.html

like most manufacturers,

a/s has progressively reduced the use of VOCs and other stuff that may HARM the assembly line worker...

that also benefits us,

just like no smoking in watering holes is good for the workers and customers...

the aluminum, plywood, fabrics and fixtures are ALL formalin free.

the adhesives and glues are MUCH less volatile, as is the sikaflex sealants...

foam, i dunno. vinyl flooring check with armstrong, it is their product.

appliances, like the water heater and fridge and light fixtures, i dunno either, but each appliance maker will have data.

in fact EVERY ITEM in a stream can be checked for msds and air quality issues.
____________________

these are NOT fema prefab housing units.

and ANY toyhauler from ANY rv company is gonna have a lot of odor and vapor issues....

cheers
2air'

[Chuck]

is that why they switched from vulkem to sika?

I noticed pallets and pallets of it, tucked into every little corner of the place when I toured the factory last year.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Chuck

is that why they switched from vulkem to sika?

no doubt ONE of the reasons,

but faster curing times may also come into play and the "no spread" fire feature.

actually the sikaflex 221 the factory uses is available in an EVEN MORE voc friendly version, but the number escapes me....

check the sika website for specs, msds, pds and product profiles...

tech specs on sika goooo

cheers
2air'

[alamopokeymo]

Yes - a toy hauler was our first choice, but they are just too large for the places we like to go, so we are leaning to a larger truck that we could carry our toys in and tow a TT. Now we are in a state of confusion about the products out there - they all seem to be so poorly put together - staples and glue. We don't to fall apart driving over rough surfaces - and they the formaldahyde issue surfaced -- Wow - a lot to know about. I think 22-24ft would be just right pulled by a Chevy 2500 with 20" wheels - the beefy model.
You are all so very helpful - I appreciate it.

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by Chuck

is that why they switched from vulkem to sika?

I noticed pallets and pallets of it, tucked into every little corner of the place when I toured the factory last year.

Do they forklift the stuff up high to efficiently slather it on the roofs? I still think a pump truck would give them a better quantity discount. I saw an SOB Class C this summer where it was apparent the manufacturer masked each roof opening and cleaned it up beautifully afterward.

[Gene]

The partitions in our trailer may have nasty chemicals in them, but I don't know what they are. Our trailer had a chemical odor for 1 1/2 years.

They use lots of synthetic latex. This stuff off gasses nasty stuff too. You can replace with natural latex or wool, but it will cost you.

Gene

[alamopokeymo]

I got the following answer from Airstream re the formaldahyde issue:
There will be formaldehydes in products such as glue, woods, and fabrics. You will find these items in our trailers. The difference between an Airstream however and a standard box trailer is that the construction ribs, walls and exterior is all aluminum. The walls are filled with pink fiberglass insulation. This helps our trailers to be well below the industry standards.
I hope this helps.

[CanoeStream]

End of the story first. This post discusses resolution of janetb's experience with new Airstream fumes. But go back through the links and come back to janetb's good news.

Storing without the trailer all sealed up will allow fumes to dissipate -- in my experience this was a reasonably quick process with our Safari when it was new. We took possession in Sept '05, so didn't face more problematic warm weather until it was 10 months old. You won't experience hazy buildup inside the windows like from plasticizers in new car materials.