FIREFLY SYSTEM FAILURES AND AIRSTREAM'S LEMON: A $300K DISASTER!

[@lyfandeth]

Alan, the discrepancy in gross vehicle weight alone is such a signifigant danger that the NHTSA might investigate and ORDER a full recall and buyback of affected vehicles.

[@ralphp3057]

It’s mind boggling that they sent the guy a new GVWR sticker? What a total rip off by Thor once again!

[@horizon42q]

Stay away from Sprinter Vans. Dealers have many sitting waiting 6 months for parts from Germany.

[@dennysivells9977]

I was thinking of Airstream after all the Grand Design issues now but will reconsider not getting the Airstream now.

[@ralphp3057]

I really don’t understand how they justify those prices on those RV’s ! Just another nightmare story that represents the crap the industry is building! Thanks Alan for helping get the word out ! 😁👍

[@danwistrom9934]

Took my forest river to cheyenne camper sales quad cities they took care of some warranty issues got it done in a short time they are great people very helpful

[@lyfandeth]

Wow. This makes a Storyteller seem like a real steal. At this price, there should be no surprises.

[@marcusnorthrup701]

Did I miss it? Which a/c unit broke. The roof top or chassis unit ?

[@kensmart1976]

Anyone buying a $300K van as an investment probably is delusional. Just buy a 7 person passenger van and you're good.

[@robsan7847]

Have any cracks developed along the top sides of rear cap? Seamless is cool until the stress cracks develop.

[@DLTJR1959]

Most new RV's have issues. Some minor, some major. It's all about dealer and manufacturer support. That's the problem. Support is absymal for the most part.

[@papabones-G48]

These companies and their electronic crap with all the Chinese chips in them suck, I prefer the old manual switch method myself. Nice of you to help this guy out Alan. "KEEP ON KEEPIN ON"

[@chrisschiel6741]

280,000 and its not lithium and has a generator. Thats crazy. Grech rv is actually a coiple thousand cheaper and is full lithium. Airstream is way out of reality.

[@allanguy2522]

I can't believe that a company isn't willing to stand behind a product with a warranty . But it seems that customer service just doesn't exist anymore and that's very sad . building customer loyalty isn't necessary I guess

[@barryholiday8998]

Alan, you need to call Airstream for comment. Otherwise, nothing will likely happen.

[@jerrytalley802]

That dealer recall sticker issue has lawyer up written all over it. I think you could even get pain and suffering over and above your money back. Ridiculousness

[@karlknocker7007]

Wow Wingman Liz Amazing must be doing something right...now the rest of you RV blah blahs will finally step up to the plate and actually do something to help the people who buy the darn things and have no comeback in a business with no accountability.

[@BajaGirl302]

Just stop!

[@joygarrett8397]

Hi Alan!!!

[@talldude5841]

This guy has more money than brains. He made way too many mistakes before putting down all this money. No private inpection? First mistake. And yes, they don't build them like they use too.

[@Real_Natural]

This guy clearly is plenty smart just has no experience with the malevolent RV industry and their junk. Imagine a 3000 lb reduction in gross weight. Would an inspection have found the GVWR reduction?

[@talldude5841]

@@Real_Natural Your incorrect. This man screwed up just like your doing.

[@jerrytalley802]

I wish everyone considering any type of rv would scan the internet for how bad these things are. I did months of research and picked Jayco based on past information, but 18 months later, seeing your channel, Liz amazing, and Jacob, rv tech. Today, You coul not give me a camper if I had to deal with all the hassles. I’m calling my dealer tomorrow but may be 2025 until we connect, with the holiday. Thanks Alan.

[@Jollyprez]

I know he keeps saying the clock "randomly changed the time" - but I wonder if there's a detectable pattern. I'm a software engineer, and most computer clocks are set online by looking at, for example, US Naval Observatory. In addition, the computer has a location input with timezone information. Also, frequently, schedules are saved in "GMT" - or "Zulu" time ( Greenwich Mean Time ) with offsets. If the software is stupid, it may not take into account frequent timezone changes. ALSO, if it was attached to a phone, it may take the Phone's information as gospel. The computer, clearly, should have a battery on its mother board for the express purpose of keeping the clock chip powered. In THIS case, the entire computer should remain powered 24/7 to be able to keep its schedules. If it "goes crazy" - that makes me wonder about its power source - computers go really weird when their power source is low. LOL - Maybe the Maxxair engineers designed the Firefly stuff and crap-out at the slightest change in DC power.

[@jerrytalley802]

Alan, $300,000, then they have the nerve to not replace, a brand new AC that would have been warranted for a year from the manufacturer, anyway. I hope Airstream loses their shirt, and nobody ever buys another one. Alan, my problems are so minor compared to these kinds of things, I feel guilty even talking about it, but plenty of people buy reasonably priced travel trailers.

[@joygarrett8397]

What a nightmare!!!

[@ErikPeterson-ng5dm]

It’s a shame this kind of thing happens, especially on a new very expensive rv. Some things need to be added to this conversation. Airstream and firefly are parts of Thor. That’s the mega rv company Thor. Thor has recently modified their warranty’s to exclude the “firefly” system! I wonder why? This is covered in other posts recently. Ian currently considering an upgrade to our class c . Due to the responses or lack of we will not be considering any of Thor rv products. It appears that Thor just wants your money, then when it breaks under warranty, they won’t fix it. Not for us.

[@Sam-f1k8e]

sounds like a nightmare

[@petetynning9964]

RV's and automobiles built during and shortly after the Pandemic all seem to have problems

[@timsmith1160]

Quick question. Do dealers get kicķ backs from finance companies? I was told one price with their company but a higher amount with my own bank

[@jerrytalley802]

I feel terrible for this guy and his family. He’s obviously a very successful guy to be able to buy a $300,000 glorified van. If I had his money, I would have bought a stripped van, found a conversion shop, and it would probably have been less expensive, but even if it costs the same, he’d have a bulletproof vehicle

[@frankalvarez8418]

Something that cost lots of money doesn't mean that is good. The idea that expensive means good is very flawed.

[@christopherstimpson6540]

I heard they stopped selling any RV over 8,500 pounds in CA. That's going to be a problem for large families.

[@TheFunkybert]

Why do people continue to blow money on these overpriced rigs? $300k new for a van. You can buy 2 houses in Cleveland

[@MaryWehmeier]

But who wants to live in Cleveland? 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@TheFunkybert]

@ you don’t have to live there.. rent out the houses, positive cash flow, by a $30k RV, go have fun.

[@ralphp3057]

@@TheFunkybert I get what you are saying! I guess he doesn’t need the cash flow ?

[@user-tb4qi6dl7c]

The rooftop AC shouldnt be running while driving not shocking it broke. They bounce around too much to run while driving

[@bobbypaluga4346]

Then what the hell good is it if you have to boil inside while driving?

[@horizon42q]

Agree, never

[@horizon42q]

I refuse to pay for a PDI / walk thru for my most recent purchase. We spent 2 1/2 hrs running every single item in the unit before I sat down and paid them the $. It was a 2023 leftover Coachman Nova. Guess what? It was perfect except it was missing the sink cover. They had shipped it directly from coachmen to my home. It was a Lithium model B Van. Now 7000 miles later it’s perfect. Got 40% off MSRP. Remember this, Airstream = Thor. I have Firefly in both my RVs. They both work great. One tip, never, ever update it. I believe this person had no idea what he was buying. It’s a B Van with limited CCC. B Vans are not meant to have 4 passengers. 995 lbs is about right. Should have bought a Coachmen Nova on the Promaster chassis has 1,200 lb CCC Much cheaper than Air Stream.

[@darrells1806]

Six people and a dog in a class B van, what were you thinking! And just under $300,000 dollars. I can remember in the not too distant past you could have one hell of a class A motor coach. 😳😳😳

[@BajaGirl302]

Oh and since Thor bought Airstream, they are crap also. Word will get around. Thor is crap 💩

[@jackroderick6757]

Thor bought Airstream 44 years ago.

[@robertmcdowell2030]

Maybe it could have been hack,who knows how many people could have got access to the system while it sit in the dealership.

[@davemachoukas6175]

280000 could have bought good used bus for that..

[@lmallard3788]

We were thinking about upgrading to Airstream but now that I know about their connection to Thor, no way will I buy Airstream.

[@Sam-f1k8e]

must be nice to be wealthy

[@JR-of5hp]

Some people work

[@scottharris9318]

Pretty sure the GCWR number is the max of the vehicle’s GVWR and the max weight of a trailer or towed vehicle. Most converted vans we’ve looked at have really low residual cargo capacity after the up fit. I have seem some dually vans that had minimal cabinetry with ~ 2,000 lbs capacity. Enough to cover 2-3 passengers, fresh water and gear. As for RV warranty work. We’ve resigned ourselves to pay out of pocket if we get another new RV. The money that would cost is worth less to me than having my RV sit on a dealer’s back lot for months during the RVing season awaiting the warranty process. Sadly we paid out of pocket to replace a Schwintek slide-out H frame assembly and it still took four months. 🫤