Visit our Popular Forums

TexasMarci · 02-08-2018, 06:29 AM

Well you already heard about our fateful first trip - with the bad batteries and non-working converter - that was all fixed at the dealer - and everything was just peachy so we decided to try a 2nd trip in our, now, 55 day old trailer. We came back Tuesday afternoon from shopping and sightseeing and when hubby was changing clothes he sat down on his bed (twin bed on shower side) and found that it was soaking wet - all the bedding, the mattress and water running down the wall. There had been a gentle rain outside all day - not a gale - just a steady rain. I have video of water running down the wall. So we called the dealer (I sent pics and videos to the dealer and to Ohio) and he thought he might be able to see us in about 8 days - I pushed back and said that there is rain in forecast and I want this trailer to be covered and our carport for the trailer is not quite finished yet. So we came on home and emptied it out the 2nd time in 55 days - and we stripped out the bed and took away the mattress and there is a huge water spot on the wood platform underneath -with concencric circles of stains - indicating this has happened before - a few times. I also sent pics of this to the dealer and to Ohio. It hasn't rained a lot in Texas lately but we have had a few soaking storms since mid December when we bought this. We are a senior couple so loading and unloading is a BIG DEAL for us - but we are heading back to the dealer later today where they say they will find the leak and fix it. OK.........but what kind of damage could this have done to the floor below? and elsewhere? As we all know, water doesn't always make a straight line down. What else should we be asking for? We are overwhelmed here with this brand new trailer's problems - did I mention just 55 days old? And we are not sure what to ask next!! Help!!

kendrick.l.j · 02-08-2018, 07:46 AM

Wholly smokes. Wish I had some wonderful words of wisdom or advice to offer but I don’t. I see you have already called JC. If it were me and my 55 day old Airstream I would be hitting the road, EMPTY, and head straight to the factory and forego the dealer all together. Yes, this is serious and will be cover under your warranty but the only place I would go is to Jackson Center, OHIO soon, very soon. Keep us posted.
I don’t know if this is your first Airstream but JC is wonderful and they will make it right. This is not normal or acceptable and clearly you have done anything to it, something somewhere didn’t get sealed and it will need to be leak tested to make sure it is go to go. Hang in there.

GMFL · 02-08-2018, 08:31 AM

I would ask for my money back or another trailer that one sounds like it was built on a Monday morning or Friday afternoon

DaveP · 02-08-2018, 09:20 AM

I am surprised JC does not perform a leak test on every new AS.

It is a fairly easy test to run and would catch most of these problems.

DBinSD · 02-09-2018, 09:06 AM

Have you been able to determine where it is coming in yet?

jnm30327 · 02-09-2018, 09:10 AM

We have had a similar but not quite as severe experience with our 27FB 2018 Flying Cloud. We went on a three week trip in January and had a slow leak in the front window that spotted the front curtain and wet the driver side of the bed. It only happens when underway in a rain storm, not in the rain when trailer is still. I think one of the front windows was not fully sealed.

Fortunately, our trailer is stored indoors. We are waiting for an appointment at our dealer for what will presumably be a warranty repair. My concern is that the leak will be difficult to find, and that we will not know if it is fixed until we are on the road in the rain again.

quietguy · 02-09-2018, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMFL

I would ask for my money back or another trailer that one sounds like it was built on a Monday morning or Friday afternoon

Assembly line stops Friday morning.

quietguy · 02-09-2018, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveP

I am surprised JC does not perform a leak test on every new AS.

It is a fairly easy test to run and would catch most of these problems.

They do....

nipperguy · 02-09-2018, 10:45 AM

What Kendrick said. Go direct to JC.

GMFL · 02-09-2018, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quietguy

Assembly line stops Friday morning.

That’s why I said Friday afternoon

TexasMarci · 02-09-2018, 12:04 PM

hi all - we are making progress...........I talked to Customer Service at AS and they had already talked to the local dealer and were on top of finding out what is the problem

We took the trailer to the dealer yesterday afternoon and they were very concerned and will begin the process of checking all the ""things"" that are sticking through the roof - if you count lights and awning attachments and a/c and air vents and tv antenna and and and.............it's a LOT of things that could have rattled loose a bit and maybe some caulking is now loose

Let's keep fingers crossed that they find the problem soon and fix it - at least the rig is under roof right now and there won't be further damage

I'll keep you posted!

skyguyscott · 02-09-2018, 02:07 PM

Correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to remember in the factory tour that they water leak test the airstreams before the inner insulation and inner skins go on, whilst someone inside examines all the seams and marks where the leaks are, to be "caulked" in the next step.

If so, this means the leak test is done before holes are cut in the roof and before the interior is done at all.

I don't think they leak test the finished trailers.

66Overlander · 02-09-2018, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyguyscott

Correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to remember in the factory tour that they water leak test the airstreams before the inner insulation and inner skins go on, whilst someone inside examines all the seams and marks where the leaks are, to be "caulked" in the next step.

If so, this means the leak test is done before holes are cut in the roof and before the interior is done at all.

I don't think they leak test the finished trailers.

Yes the leak test is before the inner skins and interior is installed. That is the best way to quickly find leaks. No holes are cut after the water test, though. All roof holes are cut before the exterior skin is even attached, way before the water test.

mefly2 · 02-09-2018, 03:43 PM

TM-

Frustrating for sure.

We have been down a similar road with electrical problems. Ask for a new unit from the dealer where you purchased ... so you are not plagued with problems down the road ... rot, mildew, etc - the next time the inside sees humidity! It sounds like your new AS may have had problems on the lot!
We were "stalled off" and had to trade in the defective unit (at a substantial loss) just to get a useable AS...

TexasMarci · 02-09-2018, 07:07 PM

Hi all - we heard from the service manager at the dealer late this afternoon - they think they have found the leak - it was the ""clearance"" light (or whatever they are called) at the back of the trailer - on the door side. Plus he said the gutter formed by the awning connection, forces water toward that light - making things even worse. He even showed us picture of the bubbles from where they were finding the leak. The are continuing to look for other leaks - just in case - but for sure they have found one - likely the one that was dripping on the bed. They are also going to inspect the foundation flooring and all just to make sure there are not additional problems. At least we are moving in the right direction - keep fingers crossed out there, ok?

Foiled Again · 02-09-2018, 08:27 PM

There is also an air pressure test that can be done. All the doors and windows, etc are closed and a pressurizing dan is ditted into the fantastic fan opening. While this happens soapy water is sprayed over the exterior and it is inspected one panel at a time. Bubbles are marked and when dry are resealed.

TexasMarci · 02-10-2018, 07:51 AM

Yes - the service manager said they used the pressure method and he sent us pictures of the bubbles on the outside by that particular light. This team at VOGT in Fort Worth is pretty awesome and very caring. I feel comfortable that they will find all the issues and get them resolved.

DaveP · 02-10-2018, 08:04 AM

The air pressure "leak test" is the one I was referring to. It is very effective. Had the whole trailer done recently after a panel replacement. No leaks at all on a 14 year old trailer!

Jstsal69 · 02-10-2018, 11:56 PM

Sorry to hear about your troubles with such a new unit. We just took our AS in for some minor warranty issues and will be doing a couple more long shake down trips before our 2yrs are up. Pls keep us posted and I do agree with some of the other posts....it seems like the best course of action would be to request a new unit. Depending on the severity of the water damage you could be looking at mold issues down the road. Good luck!!!

TexasMarci · 02-13-2018, 01:55 PM

The great guys at VOGT took apart enough of the wooden platform and the storage box underneath to determine that there wasn't any evidence of water or staining down there - in fact there wasn't even a stain on the bottom of the bed platform - just on the top. They sent us pictures of all of this since I was concerned about water having been down in the ""belly"" of poor "Rosie". They have replaced all damaged contents and have ordered a new mattress. We are confident that this was the remedy and are anxious to get back out on the road. Hoping to pick her up tomorrow. One of us will just have to sleep on the pull out sofa until the replacement mattress arrives. Now - with a new converter on board and all the roof stuff checked out and tightened up, she ought to be good to go for awhile.