In late 2023 Airstream started installing heavy duty gussets at lower corners of hatch, these gussets are bolted directly to the frame and outside support rails. I had mine updated to these new style gussets in March of 2024. These are the second generation of gussets being used from early 2024 going forward. I saw the repair on my Airstream at Airstream Jackson Center OH, was an all day job but I feel much better about this going forward. I had no sheared rivets or torn metal just some small dimples at lower corners of front storage hatch. So yes, Airstream has finally addressed this issue once and for all.
@@LandingZoneHome I saw the old style makeshift corner brackets, Airstream told me that any trailer that had these brackets installed started showing up again because these did not hold up. I saw and held both the old and new gussets, the new gussets are night and day more robust. I have a photo of these on my phone. They are cut on water jet then formed. The gussets follow the radius of hatch and engage eight rivets, material is 4mm 6061 structural aluminum with strengthening ribs built in. They are very similar to the ones Vinnies Airstream repair uses.
I had a 77 International..rock solid for over 20 years. towed awesome only had a fridge issue when it was just over a year old other than NOTHING in over 30k miles and 20 years of use..wife and I went to look at new AS and wow where we disappointed saw two different trailers with issues. one the front door and opening was actually installed crooked and the other one the fridge opening was also crooked and the toilet was loose..they sure are not worth the $$ that they used to be...really regret selling mine now
Hi Jack, I'm happy for you its repaired and under warranty. It was a pleasure to hang out with you for a time in JC, and hope you enjoyed the area. See you on the road.
You would think that Airstream would try and correct that problem while building the unit rather than having to repair after it’s left the factory. Good luck with the repairs.
Just to make a couple of comments-we have a 2006 RBQ that had front separation. We had cracks coming up the skin on each side of the battery compartment door. Our neighbors have a 29’ RBQ and had the same issues. So this is not limited to front bed models or models after 2015.
Looking for a good description of what this problem was after having my unit repaired for the very same thing. Took me a moment but I realized that I was parked right next to you at the terraport. I was the guy feverishly washing the salt from my unit when I arrived after hitting snow squalls. Good explanation of the problem. Glad all went well for you.
Hope you made it home without snow 😀 Was your front panel removed for repairs? Seems to be different degrees of damage and I was told I had. Minor issue. Appreciate you reaching out and subing.
I love Airstream, I really do but with a defect like this, it should go beyond being covered by a warranty. After all, it is a known issue, ( a manufacturing defect) in my humble opinion. Seems like a matter of when, not if it will happen.
I love my Airstream as well. I asked the Jackson Center service management this morning to consider publishing a Technical Notice on the Front End Separation to help remove owner stress and layout what can be done and expense to the owner if any. Thank you for watching.
We have the AIRSTREAM ATLAS. And almost all of them are cracking in the four corners where the seams were. AS will fix after it happens but it will happen again and they won’t extend warranties on that issue either.
Sorry for your trouble. Sometimes business decisions like this cost more in sales loss than the actual fix itself. Good luck and thank you for watching.
There is a Facebook group on this issues and the organizer has a 30 rb Classic. So not always the door issue. Might be just the longer trailer. That guy is so mad about it I think he sold it and moved on.
Sorry to hear about the issue and shame on Airstream for not fixing this in production. Hopefully it doesn’t return. We have a GT 25 FBT on order. What would you do in our situation? Cancel? Switch to Queen? Continue as is? Thanks!
I would NOT cancel over this issue. This morning Jackson Center service management informed me that the fix (L-Brackets) are part of production now. With that said your unit should be fine.
If u hve a 3& 3 hole drill pattern on side of a panel & u hve pin joining pins on other side they slide fit together, & u can slde into the panel as much as u need for best fit. So not poss to pull off panels bc pin slide together, only slide appart.
Mine is in the shop getting fixed properly, the factory took a shortcut and my issue came back. I'll be doing a followup to this video. I still like Airstreams and the pros out weight the cons. Thanks again for watching.
As a future RV buyer, I have been studying brands like AS and it is quite disappointing just studying them up front... let alone watching videos like this. I am an Automotive Mfg engineer so I can appreciate the various levels of "quality". It's disappointing that a product this expensive could have all of the issues it does. It's obvious to me that the design/engineering is long antiquated and in years past they relied on highly skilled/experienced craftsmen. I suppose today they're having a hard time maintaining them or hiring new ones.
Thanks for your comment. I too have a quality background and also understand that market can drive quality. Here is a link to a quality study I did which puts Airstream in good light. th-cam.com/video/7VtGtVFOzm8/w-d-xo.html
In late 2023 Airstream started installing heavy duty gussets at lower corners of hatch, these gussets are bolted directly to the frame and outside support rails.
I had mine updated to these new style gussets in March of 2024. These are the second generation of gussets being used from early 2024 going forward. I saw the repair on my Airstream at Airstream Jackson Center OH, was an all day job but I feel much better about this going forward.
I had no sheared rivets or torn metal just some small dimples at lower corners of front storage hatch.
So yes, Airstream has finally addressed this issue once and for all.
Unfortunately they have been working the issue for years so hopefully this is a lasting fix. Only time will tell. Thank you for the comment.
@@LandingZoneHome
I saw the old style makeshift corner brackets, Airstream told me that any trailer that had these brackets installed started showing up again because these did not hold up.
I saw and held both the old and new gussets, the new gussets are night and day more robust. I have a photo of these on my phone. They are cut on water jet then formed. The gussets follow the radius of hatch and engage eight rivets,
material is 4mm 6061 structural aluminum with strengthening ribs built in. They are very similar to the ones Vinnies Airstream repair uses.
@@tycotoys You would think Airstream would be proactive in this issue and reach out to owners with their fix. Thank you for the info.
I had a 77 International..rock solid for over 20 years. towed awesome only had a fridge issue when it was just over a year old other than NOTHING in over 30k miles and 20 years of use..wife and I went to look at new AS and wow where we disappointed saw two different trailers with issues. one the front door and opening was actually installed crooked and the other one the fridge opening was also crooked and the toilet was loose..they sure are not worth the $$ that they used to be...really regret selling mine now
Appreciate your comment and thanks for watching.
Hi Jack, I'm happy for you its repaired and under warranty. It was a pleasure to hang out with you for a time in JC, and hope you enjoyed the area. See you on the road.
Thanks Scott--the wind today will keep us hunkered down here.
Wow, major work and repairs accomplished!
Enjoy the area!
Thanks.
You would think that Airstream would try and correct that problem while building the unit rather than having to repair after it’s left the factory. Good luck with the repairs.
Agree completely. Thanks for watching.
Just to make a couple of comments-we have a 2006 RBQ that had front separation. We had cracks coming up the skin on each side of the battery compartment door. Our neighbors have a 29’ RBQ and had the same issues. So this is not limited to front bed models or models after 2015.
This is what I'm learning. Appreciate your comment and thanks for watching.
Looking for a good description of what this problem was after having my unit repaired for the very same thing. Took me a moment but I realized that I was parked right next to you at the terraport. I was the guy feverishly washing the salt from my unit when I arrived after hitting snow squalls. Good explanation of the problem. Glad all went well for you.
And good content here. Subscribed.
Hope you made it home without snow 😀 Was your front panel removed for repairs? Seems to be different degrees of damage and I was told I had. Minor issue. Appreciate you reaching out and subing.
I love Airstream, I really do but with a defect like this, it should go beyond being covered by a warranty. After all, it is a known issue, ( a manufacturing defect) in my humble opinion. Seems like a matter of when, not if it will happen.
I love my Airstream as well. I asked the Jackson Center service management this morning to consider publishing a Technical Notice on the Front End Separation to help remove owner stress and layout what can be done and expense to the owner if any. Thank you for watching.
We have the AIRSTREAM ATLAS. And almost all of them are cracking in the four corners where the seams were. AS will fix after it happens but it will happen again and they won’t extend warranties on that issue either.
Sorry for your trouble. Sometimes business decisions like this cost more in sales loss than the actual fix itself. Good luck and thank you for watching.
There is a Facebook group on this issues and the organizer has a 30 rb Classic. So not always the door issue. Might be just the longer trailer. That guy is so mad about it I think he sold it and moved on.
Very interesting. I’m sure there is more to the issue that I covered or even know. Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching.
Sorry to hear about the issue and shame on Airstream for not fixing this in production. Hopefully it doesn’t return. We have a GT 25 FBT on order. What would you do in our situation? Cancel? Switch to Queen? Continue as is? Thanks!
I would NOT cancel over this issue. This morning Jackson Center service management informed me that the fix (L-Brackets) are part of production now. With that said your unit should be fine.
@@LandingZoneHome great to hear! Thanks so much for the insight!
This is why I bought a rear bed model. I didn't want to deal with a chance of having this issue.
Hope you are correct. Thanks for watching.
If u hve a 3& 3 hole drill pattern on side of a panel & u hve pin joining pins on other side they slide fit together, & u can slde into the panel as much as u need for best fit. So not poss to pull off panels bc pin slide together, only slide appart.
Thanks for watching.
Wow, that really sucks that it's not covered under a warranty after it is fixed. 😞
I was lucky getting mine fixed the second time and still under warranty.
Good to know. I have to think about Airstream as a an option. This isn’t good.
Mine is in the shop getting fixed properly, the factory took a shortcut and my issue came back. I'll be doing a followup to this video. I still like Airstreams and the pros out weight the cons. Thanks again for watching.
As a future RV buyer, I have been studying brands like AS and it is quite disappointing just studying them up front... let alone watching videos like this.
I am an Automotive Mfg engineer so I can appreciate the various levels of "quality". It's disappointing that a product this expensive could have all of the issues it does.
It's obvious to me that the design/engineering is long antiquated and in years past they relied on highly skilled/experienced craftsmen. I suppose today they're having a hard time maintaining them or hiring new ones.
Thanks for your comment. I too have a quality background and also understand that market can drive quality. Here is a link to a quality study I did which puts Airstream in good light. th-cam.com/video/7VtGtVFOzm8/w-d-xo.html
thank you for this video, do you know has anyone filed a class action lawsuit?
Not to my knowledge, but if you find one please let me know. Thanks for watching.
You need to buy a more expensive travel trailer.
Oh.........wait.
Haha, got the message :) Thanks for watching.