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09-21-2007, 05:40 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Pittsford
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 121
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Airstream Lifetime Warranty - when did that end?
Just curious - when did Airstream end its Lifetime Warranty? Any information on how/why that decision was made?
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09-21-2007, 07:20 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Florissant
, USA
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,083
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Likely it was made to save the company bazillions of dollars.
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09-21-2007, 07:37 AM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2004 34' Classic S/O
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 294
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Quote:
Originally Posted by soldiermedic
Likely it was made to save the company bazillions of dollars.
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There was a very nice woman from SoCal who had her original 60ish Airstream. Her name was Pearl, and she died a few years ago. Her AS came with this lifetime warranty, and she was famous for always taking her rig back to JC for work. After so many years, the people at JC recognized her on sight. I think she really got the full benefit from her warranty.
________Tom
__________________
Blog: www.travelpod.com/members/wbcci1529
'04 34' Classic S/O lounge, dome king, twin a/c, faux fireplace to keep the wife warm , equa-li-zer, prodigy, 4 birds, dog - no kids allowed!
'05 Excursion 4x4, 6.0 PSD, magnaflow, helwig anti-sway, air lift springs.
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09-21-2007, 08:58 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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The lifetime warranty was pretty exclusive.
It excluded tires, tubes, rims, signaling devices, axle or wheel assemblies, brake assemblies, refrigerator, heating stoves, ranges, electrical fixtures, water heaters, or other trade accessories.
It also refused work on any vehicle which "shall have been repaired or altered outside of its factories in any-way so as, in the judgement of the warrantor, to affect its stability; or which shall have been subject to misuse, negligence or accident; or which shall have been loaded beyond the factory rated load capacity."
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09-21-2007, 09:56 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1965 17' Caravel
west hills
, California
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 94
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Mine had the lifetime warranty - the warranty stapled to the inside one of the closets. If I remember correctly (and my trailer is at C&G now) it also mentions not being transferable - unfortunately
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09-21-2007, 10:48 AM
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#6
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,403
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Someone might correct me on this but didn't the lifetime warranty end when
Beatrice bought Airstream?
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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09-21-2007, 11:10 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcanavera
Someone might correct me on this but didn't the lifetime warranty end when
Beatrice bought Airstream?
Jack
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I think you are right...I know my '64 has one - too bad we aren't the original owners!
Shari
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09-21-2007, 11:12 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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I'm kinda wondering how Pearl was able to get warranty service all those years, as the Warranty clearly states it:
". . shall be in full force and effect and valid in the hands of the registered holder during his life."
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09-21-2007, 02:03 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2012 28' International
Currently Looking...
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
I'm kinda wondering how Pearl was able to get warranty service all those years, as the Warranty clearly states it:
". . shall be in full force and effect and valid in the hands of the registered holder during his life."
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Maybe Pearl was not what she seemed to be.
__________________
Jim N5TJZ Air# 174
2012 International Serenity 28
2005 Safari 25 SS Traded
1968 Globetrotter Sold
2011 F150 Ecoboost
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09-21-2007, 02:27 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Clark
Maybe Pearl was not what she seemed to be.
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I never had the opportunity to meet Pearl, but I remember her posts on Hunter's List and the Vintage List. She would describe herself as "a tough old bird". I don't think she had any problems with Jackson Center.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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09-21-2007, 02:50 PM
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#11
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcanavera
Someone might correct me on this but didn't the lifetime warranty end when
Beatrice bought Airstream?
Jack
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Our 74 has the warranty in the original purchaser's name inside the owner's manual.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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09-21-2007, 03:00 PM
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#12
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
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My 75 has the lifetime warranty in the owners manual as well.
Maybe Thor put an end to it???
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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09-21-2007, 03:09 PM
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#13
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
My 75 has the lifetime warranty in the owners manual as well.
Maybe Thor put an end to it???
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Possible. I know the company was virtually out of business by the end of the 70's. This may have been a company-saving decision.
I know if Airstream still offered the lifetime warranty, I would give the idea of purchasing a new one more serious consideration.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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09-21-2007, 04:36 PM
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#14
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E Pluribus Aluminus
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
I know if Airstream still offered the lifetime warranty, I would give the idea of purchasing a new one more serious consideration.
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Yup. And Airstream would pretty much own the RV/trailer market (& their current prices would seem reasonable!). Trouble is, then they'd have to hire a QA team to inspect the trailers before they went out...
Oh, but I jest . While there are 'true' Airstream aficionados, am thinking that the company feels most are simply drawn by the retro styling and that impulse buying is their sales goal (volume). Therefore, a 'lifetime' warranty is a moot point.
Hyundai has an excellent warranty (or so it seems from it's commercials), wonder how that's increased their sales and bottom line?
__________________
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Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
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09-21-2007, 04:44 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaxon
. . Hyundai has an excellent warranty (or so it seems from it's commercials), wonder how that's increased their sales and bottom line?
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My neighbor was goofin on me for buying a Chevy.
"Don't you know Dodge has a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty? You should have bought a Dodge!"
What good is a warranty if the company goes bankrupt?
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09-21-2007, 04:56 PM
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#16
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E Pluribus Aluminus
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
My neighbor was goofin on me for buying a Chevy.
"Don't you know Dodge has a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty? You should have bought a Dodge!"
What good is a warranty if the company goes bankrupt?
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Is Hyundai going bankrupt? Hadn't heard that.
__________________
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Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
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09-21-2007, 05:15 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaxon
Is Hyundai going bankrupt? Hadn't heard that.
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No, but Chrysler might. Again.
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09-21-2007, 05:35 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sigv
Just curious - when did Airstream end its Lifetime Warranty? Any information on how/why that decision was made?
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Airstream didn't end the lifetime warranty, the Feds did.
It changed when the Airstream serial numbers went to the 17 digits.
The feds said, you cannot have a lifetime warranty on a portion of the trailer. It must be all, or nothing.
Obviously, Airstream chose the limited period of time warranty, with a few exclusions.
That was Ok with the Feds.
Airstream spent more on Pearl Mains trailer, for warranty work, than she originally paid for the trailer.
Airstream spent over $5,000.00 for warranty repairs with us.
Yes, the factory was very aware of Pearl, as well as Larry Huttle.
Pearl was the reason a lock was put on the door that went to the executive offices.
But Pearl was a true blue "Wally" follower.
Andy
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09-21-2007, 05:50 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
Airstream didn't end the lifetime warranty, the Feds did.
It changed when the Airstream serial numbers went to the 17 digits.
The feds said, you cannot have a lifetime warranty on a portion of the trailer. It must be all, or nothing.
Obviously, Airstream chose the limited period of time warranty, with a few exclusions.
That was Ok with the Feds.
Airstream spent more on Pearl Mains trailer, for warranty work, than she originally paid for the trailer.
Airstream spent over $5,000.00 for warranty repairs with us.
Yes, the factory was very aware of Pearl, as well as Larry Huttle.
Pearl was the reason a lock was put on the door that went to the executive offices.
But Pearl was a true blue "Wally" follower.
Andy
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Andy,
The feds must have changed their opinion as Chrysler is now offering a "lifetime" warranty on the power train only for most vehicles.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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09-21-2007, 05:56 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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Bill, I think the difference is it's the "lifetime of the power train"...not the "lifetime of the owner" like Airstream's was. We actually have a member of the DenCO Unit that is the original owner of his '63 Overlander!
Shari
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