Does Airstream Have A Design Flaw? (Part 6)

[@waltfriedrich7631]

If you have to seal any other beltline I suggest you use byutal tape on the moulding with a line of silicone at the top and in all existing holes. DO NOT caulk the bottom so as to allow water to drain out

[@thewrightlife]

Hi Walt, We will be resealing the remaining beltline and have been sealing every existing hole as well as applying sealant to the top of the beltline. As you suggested, we didn’t seal the bottom of the beltline for the exact reason you mentioned. Safe travels and happy holidays.

[@LeeH-Ranger83]

Cloud of dust -> 1 yard! Looking forward to next week’s video.

[@thewrightlife]

Coming Soon! Happy Holidays and Safe Travels.

[@bryanknight4512]

I second a thin bead of clear silicone along the top and sides of the belt line. Looks like you sealed it well against the skin, sealing the top should virtually eliminate future water seepage.

[@thewrightlife]

That is our thoughts as well. Thanks for watching, happy holidays and safe travels.

[@airstreamer]

@@thewrightlifeI’d suggest OSI clear caulk rather than silicone. Sticks better, lasts longer, and easier to work with.

[@mikemadden865]

Great video. I’m learning a lot.

[@thewrightlife]

Mike…thanks for watching. Lisa and I have learned a lot as well. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels.

[@iTod1991]

Great work guys! Thank you for sharing your experience on the repair to fix the leaks. Very helpful!

[@thewrightlife]

Thank you for watching. Glad the video series was helpful. Safe travels and Merry Christmas. 🎄

[@janewardguaraldi7975]

Oh yeah, been there 🙄 We have a 2010 27 fb International. Our leak was at the bumper. My husband IS an engineer and noticed the same lower panel riveted under the belly pan (banana wrap).

[@LuvSubbin]

Great video. Sikaflex is good stuff but, as you say, messy. Interesting how the belly pan is attached. I wonder if that is a manufacturing necessity in that it must be installed after the shell is on the frame yet after all of the underbody accessories like the tanks are installed...

[@thewrightlife]

Rich… you are probably correct in describing the manufacturing process. As such, I would think a strong emphasis on QA/QC would you be enforced to mitigate the manufacturing necessity you describe. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels.

[@deanvolkman814]

Best to seal the top belt trim, airstream builds the shell on the floor then it the frame as two phase. I agree logic would say overlap to prevent water intrusion. Thanks your for video.

[@thewrightlife]

Absolutely…that’s the plan. Thanks for watching and Happy Holidays.

[@jayfoster5756]

Job well done.

[@thewrightlife]

Thanks for watching!

[@ShawnPatterson402]

here is to hoping your problem is solved...safe travels....

[@thewrightlife]

Thank you! Happy Holidays and Safe Travels to you as well.

[@GotliebForMayor]

Great information and videos. Thanks for documenting your experiences so well.

[@thewrightlife]

Thanks for watching!

[@HoustonMtn]

Great job, Rick & Lisa. Are you going to go back and place a bead of sealant on the top edge of the trim strip where it butts up against the aluminum shell? One more deterrent to keep water from sheeting down the sides and getting in behind the trim strip.

[@thewrightlife]

We are going to apply a bead of clear sealant along the top of the beltline trim as a second layer of protection. If anything it should at least divert the water away from the seams.

[@txdave2]

Hope this solves the leak issue. Love your Grumpy Old Vet shirt. I need one of those.

[@thewrightlife]

I think we are finally on the right track for the repairs. The tshirt is from Grunt Style. I believe it is a Veteran Owned business. Thanks for watching and safe travels.

[@johnharper2016]

Sorry this happened to you. The area you are experiencing a leak at is a common problem. We have had 2 Airstreams. 2017 International and currently a 2019 Flying Cloud 25'. First thing I did to both units was to put a fine bead of sealer along the top edge of all the beltline trim. Learned this before we bought our 2017 International. No leaks of any kind on either Airstream. Use stainless steel screws when you reassemble trim.

[@thewrightlife]

Thanks for the tips and great advice. This has been a real learning experience and I hope the videos have been helpful to other AS owners. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels.

[@mattdjmorris]

I’ve been watching a bunch of your videos. So well done. Great care with editing and message. Keep up the great work.

[@thewrightlife]

Thank you for watching and the kind words. We really appreciate the support. Safe travels to you.

[@israelcontreras5332]

Thank you for posting stuff like this. Stuff like this is why I didnt get an airstream. I also noticed that the airstream apologists always say things like rvs leak bla bla bla. I totally dont buy it. I am so sorry you guys have had to deal with this.

[@thewrightlife]

Thank you for the support and encouragement. We have been frustrated and disappointed during this process, but remain confident that everything will work out in time. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels.

[@airstreamer]

We really enjoyed this video. You’ve stepped up your editing skills. We are so happy you found the leak. A thin bead of OSI or Solar Seal along the top edge will help insure a good seal. Both those caulks are used by professional roofers and sliders to do the final seal. They are designed for severe weather and temperatures, and they stick like crazy to aluminum and vinyl. OSI is available at Lowe’s and is WAY easier to work with. Take care. We will see you down the road. Maybe at the Tampa Super Show. 😁

[@thewrightlife]

Hi Jim…thanks for the Tip. We will definitely check out those two sealants. I am sure other viewers will find this information useful as well. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels.

[@viper16vet]

Hi, it looks like you are taking the right (added) steps for your trim repair. We bought a Lance because the Airstream would've taken too long to deliver. I'm still a fan but will say aluminum rivet construction inherently is tricky. I built a kitplane with the same type of skin as the Airstream, rivet/bolt assembly. It took 30,000 rivets, fuselage and wings. You mentioned sealing your rivets and screws. On my plane, I mixed epoxy resins (the green stuff you see in metal planes) and every rivet I set has hand dipped rivets, every overlapping joint has the same. The stuff is liquid ( 2 parts) but hardens when set. It's more effort. I think your approach is good, and should work. I really hope the belt seam was your leak because your repair would fix it for a long time. As a reference, a friend had water leaking through his tail lamp assembly. It was a brand new Airstream as well.

[@thewrightlife]

Thanks for the comments and sharing your experiences. Fingers crossed we have everything sealed up. Should know soon as it is starting to rain and that will be the real test. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels.

[@viper16vet]

@@thewrightlife great, and thanks, same to you:)

[@patrickrobichaux]

I wouldn't classify it as a design flaw. More of a design compromise. Working with aluminum is difficult so tucking inside the belly pan allows the aluminum to expand and also have something to sit into. Airstream does rely on sealant for seams, but probably not much more than other manufacturers. The sealant line should have been above the rivet/screw whole line from a manufacturer so did seem like that one place I called out last video was really the problem. Checking/reapplying a clear sealant above the belt (and any panel overlap really...think of it as maintaining caulking around a tub) is a good maintenance item that could prevent this from happening.

[@cliffmolz8719]

New to your channel. We have a 2005 AS Classic. I used the sikaflex sealant along the top of the channel itself w/o taking the chrome stripping off. I was able to get a very thin bead by using a calking tube end attachment that screws on (like what you have for decorating cakes with frosting) that I purchased at Ace Hardware. I figured this would be much easier than taking off the entire aluminum strip. I'm not saying it was better, but it worked. Thanks for the videos!

[@thewrightlife]

Great tip! I used clear para bond sealant along the top of the channel after we reinstalled. I didn’t think about using the sikaflex as I had already cut the tip of the tube we had at 3/8” to seal the lower beltline. The para bond has a small metal tip with a screw on cap. I think either method (sikaflex or para bond) will work to keep water out…but it sounds like I need one of those Ace Hardware calking tube attachments in my toolbox 🧰. Thanks for sharing and safe travels.

[@robertmassmann228]

Thank you for sharing. New Airstream owner as well. 2022 20 ' Bambi with salvage title. Just had some exterior damage which I was able to fix. Have made one trip so far. Hopefully we will many more trips?

[@thewrightlife]

Best of luck and safe travels.

[@robertmassmann228]

Thank you and the same to you!

[@g-man2045]

Keep at it Gumpy Old Vet. Thank you for your service. My guess is the sides of the trailer are attached first to the frame then the Black Banana Wrap is attached. I have no idea why Banana Wrap could go on first then the sides for the reasons you stated. The silver insert is called rub rail. I was thinking of sealing between the rub rail and the aluminum track it glues into. See you down the road.

[@thewrightlife]

Hey…thanks for the support / comments. Much appreciated. I think we are finally on the right track to getting the AS back together. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels!

[@wandrousvindella716]

Please share again what year on this International. We have a 2018 Classic 33FB & recently put $$$$ into maintenance. We can do some ourselves, but take it to a local "Charleston" RV dealer right off Savannah Hwy. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@thewrightlife]

Our Airstream is a 2017 27FB International.

[@wandrousvindella716]

@@thewrightlife she's a beauty ! Look forward to more video's.

[@rickloring2228]

Rick, thank you for the gory details. Good to know. This got me thinking, have you considered installing some sort of moisture sensors before the floor is in place?

[@thewrightlife]

I haven’t considered installing any moisture sensors. What do you have in mind?

[@jerroldahner4958]

It looks like what you are doing should work well . Over time it might be worth while to check the rest of the belt line and prevent any further damage to the floor. My wife and I currently own a box style travel trailer and have thought about buying an Airstream. It seems like no matter what you own RV's always need maintenance and repair work. Love the video very informative. We would still consider an Airstream, but at least we have a better idea of what to look out for and how to keep up the RV. Good luck I hope everything goes well for you and your wife.

[@thewrightlife]

Thanks for the comment and suggestion. We plan to check the rest of the lower belt line in the near future. We had to order a few more items and with the holidays, the mail has been slow. Thanks for watching and Happy Holidays

[@martiphone4884]

Haven't finished watching this whole water leak series, but wondering if you will be removing the beltline trim on the rest of the trailer and caulking/sealing those spots?

[@thewrightlife]

Thanks for watching and I hope the video series has been informative and entertaining. Spoiler Alert - we did remove the beltline and reseal the seam.

[@gdan8259]

It’s ironic you mentioned why didn’t the engineers overlap the side over the bottom sheet metal, I’ve seen the same thing in RVs and other things. Just bought a new trailer and asking the same thing and I’m not an engineer either. Good luck with the rest of the project.

[@thewrightlife]

Thanks for watching and the comments. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels.

[@maryellenrasnick3271]

Well done and hoping for the best you two. And…well done videography!

[@thewrightlife]

Thank you and safe travels.

[@DanMcLaughlin]

I think the butting design at the belly pan is for ease of production rather than designing for longevity. OTOH Airstreams have seams all over, and rivets which are all water failure points, and if there's a failure point for water it will eventually find a way in, top overlapping will just help in this one spot of many. They're philosophy appears to be mitigation through using sealant and not worrying about mechanical solutions, which won't work for most of the seams anyhow. Well Airstreams are beautiful but like all mid-century designs rather fragile. That's the price you gotta pay if you like the design. I love the Airstream design but am too lazy to maintain one :)

[@1twkeller]

Looks like you found another profession 😂 At least it’s better then being shot at

[@thewrightlife]

At least when I was shot at I could shoot back.

[@pamelaanderson4358]

I wonder if some Bluth tape between the airstream and belt trim all the way around the belt would keep water out?

[@thewrightlife]

Perhaps, but I think there are better alternatives such as Sikaflex or Adseal.

[@loriegoldberg8162]

Great video!! We cracked the banana wrap near the front … looks like we will need to remove the belt to replace the new un cracked banana wrap..you gave us another project!!it I do have a question can you give me any advice of how to install a backup camera where we would tap into the running light on top of the trailer and need to drill a hole maybe a foot below the light and attached it to the camera so the question would be how to drill the hole which I think we handled can handle but we’re kind of questioning how to fish the wire through because the hole for the wire for the camera needs to be literally the diameter just larger than a half inch? How do fish wire up there??

[@thewrightlife]

Thanks for watching and the comment. Good luck repairing your Airstream. Regarding your question, my AS has a backup camera so I have never had the install one. Since I am not familiar with the process, I would hesitate to provide any advice. A great resource is AirForums (online). I am sure there is a fellow AS owner who has experience with installing a backup camera and could provide some advice. Sorry I could not help. Best of luck and safe travels.

[@tomwarner2844]

The rear trim section butts up to the trunk top. water can collect there and seep into the seam. I would tape (flex tape) the trim down to the trunk top and drill holes in the trunk top to release water pooling up in there. Also use a clear sealant along the top of the trim and the panel after you have secured it back on. Yes, poor design.

[@thewrightlife]

Hey…thanks for the tips. So far we haven’t had any additional leaks. We did apply a clear sealant along the top of the trim. Fingers crossed 🤞we have no more issues. Happy camping and safe travels.

[@stanmorgan3107]

Did the beltline repair solve your problem? I had Jackson Center to perform a complete seam sealer process a few years ago and they used Acryl-R (gray) on top of the beltline trim.

[@thewrightlife]

Hi…we believe the leak has been fixed by resealing the belt line. So far we have tested it twice with a hose and have had a few good rain storms pass by and everything is still dry 👍

[@martiphone4884]

I've been thinking about this video series and wondering if you ever determined if AS has a design flaw or if your trailer was just put together wrong? In other words, is the belly pan aluminum suppose to meet up and go UNDER the trailer body aluminum? Or does the belly pan aluminum really go over the top like in yours?

[@thewrightlife]

Thanks for the comment. To answer your question, it is my understanding that the belly pan is installed and attached later in the manufacturing process therefore it overlaps the trailer body aluminum. As previously mentioned in the video, Im not an engineer but it would seem to me that placing the belly pan under the trailer body aluminum would be a better design. Hope this answers your question. Happy camping and safe travels.

[@Zoso-lz8ov]

Since it it an obvious design flaw, should itbe a warranty issue?

[@thewrightlife]

Well…I would like to think that Airstream Inc would support conducting a recall to address this issues, but unfortunately I don’t see that happening. Some could argue the leak was not the result of a design flaw, but the result of a QA/QC issue in that the seam was not properly sealed during the manufacturing process. Either way, our Airstream had/has a leak which caused significant damage to the subfloor. It’s no longer under the manufacture warranty (2017 model) so (right or wrong) it falls on us to repair. Thanks for the comment. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels.

[@Zoso-lz8ov]

@@thewrightlife Thanks for your reply, I’m a 2022 Airstream Globetrotter owner and it just seems by your video which was very good that the dealer should’ve helped you ! It was clearly not sealed correctly. Keep your videos coming, I’ve already used some of your suggestions !

[@charlevoix418]

I saw too many rotten floors on Airstreams on KZbin: to me that trailer is an expensive elegant piece of crap with its 4000 holes drilled in its shin for assembly. As lons as spending that much money to buy a trailer, fiberglass Olivers couldn,t be a smarter choice?

[@janewardguaraldi7975]

It is maintenance over time like ALL RVs. There are more Airstreams still on the road from the earliest days of manufacture than any other. Every brand requires maintenance, just like a boat.

[@charlevoix418]

@@janewardguaraldi7975 Agreed, but nonetheless, only the aluminum shell remain, rotten floor and totally corroded steel frame have to be changed.

[@Acrscott-p5u]

Haters gotta hate. Stick builts rot out and fall apart, been there done that. At least the Airstream is worth repairing.

[@thewrightlife]

I’ve heard both good & bad things about Oliver trailers. I’ve never owned one so I can’t say if it would be a smarter choice to buy than an Airstream. Thanks for watching and safe travels.