Very nice work and assessment of your damage. I especially like the statement that ALL Airstreams leak. We say that all the time and those who don’t believe that just haven’t found it yet.
Hey Mike, be safe getting on the Airstream…it can be tricky. Also, sorry we’re going to miss the upcoming Rally. I had hoped to have the repairs completed by now. Safe travels.
Without seeing the staining on the floor, we had no idea we had a water leak. Never had any water on the floor or drips from the ceiling or anything. My take away is to be aggressive and actively look and inspect for any type of water leaks or damage. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
That is true. Not saying a dealership couldn’t fix it, but at least I will know how it was fixed and I am continuing to learn and understand my Airstream better. Safe travels
Find a dealer that can perform a leak test. I have one done every year and they always find at least one that could cause a problem if it was let go over time. The first one I had done on my previous 2020 Airstream at the 9 month of ownership they found so many leaks that Airstream paid for them to seal it up.
I feel lucky that I have the composite flooring on my airstream... Your video encourages everyone that you can fix just about anything on an airstream if you put your mind to it. The roof is was probable more time consuming than the flooring I am guessing. Roof repair scares me more than anything. Are you going to replace the linoleum floor in all the airstream? Great Job.!
Composite floods in the new Airstreams are probably one of the best design upgrades in the past few years. After this water damage, I do wish we had the composite floors. However, I’m hopeful that we will be able to locate and stop the leak as well as repair the subfloor. As for the linoleum, we have not yet decided what type of flooring we will use. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
We’re trying the hose technique as well as Mother Nature is helping out with random rain storms. Rain isn’t as helpful since it doesn’t allow us to pinpoint potential leak locations. It just lets us know we still have a water leak. 😕
Sounds like it leaked through the roof, dripped down the rib cage to the side wall, then soaked into the plywood from the wall right? but looked like the plywood that was tucked into the C channel was decent somehow, which seems weird but maybe that's just how it runs? That's a tough leak. Hard to detect before it does a lot of damage. Insurance should have covered it though right?
That’s the same logic I came to. When doing my initial assessment, I noticed the lap sealant around the Skylight was cracking so I have replaced it. As for the plywood, I can only assume the protective coating (black paint type stuff) that Airstream applies along the other edge of the subfloor must actually work. Unfortunately the water just worked its way to the untreated plywood.
Rick - sorry you had to go through this but looks like you have it under control, what year is your International? We have a 2020 Globetrotter 27FB and of course they started using composite decking the following year.
Did you ever find out exactly where the water was coming from? I have a Tradewind on order and have been watching all your videos to give me an idea of what I’m getting myself into.
Congrats on the Trade Wind. That is exciting. We are still working on the Airstream leak and subfloor repairs. I will continue to post Update Videos until we get it resolved (if interested). Please don’t be discouraged about your future Airstream, just have realistic expectations on maintenance and repairs that may be required. Every AS is different, so my experience may be very different from your. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
Rick, Thank you such a detailed video - much appreciated. Like you, I would have gone through a range of emotion as well. I would have found it helpful if you listed the tools / materials that you used during each phase of this project as well as a total time and cost for you doing the repairs vs. an estimated time / cost is an authorized Airstream deal did. Slowing Smooth / Smooth is fast. Hope the weather holds out for you.
Once we complete the repairs (taking it slow) I was think about making a video of what we learned. I like your recommendation on providing the details on the tools and materials we use and I’m sure I can come up with the material cost. However, labor cost may be a little more difficult…my hourly wage is high 🤣🤣🤣. Thanks again for watching
Very nice work and assessment of your damage. I especially like the statement that ALL Airstreams leak. We say that all the time and those who don’t believe that just haven’t found it yet.
Rick, you are a Beast. If you wanted to come out of retirement…
Retirement is the best job I’ve ever had. Never a dull moment 😂
Great video and thanks for sharing. FWIW I got up on my Airstream roof for the first time a few days ago. Keep the great attitude!
Hey Mike, be safe getting on the Airstream…it can be tricky. Also, sorry we’re going to miss the upcoming Rally. I had hoped to have the repairs completed by now. Safe travels.
Get it done! Keep up the good work Rick. I agree with you on keeping up on the maintenance and inspection of your trailer.
Without seeing the staining on the floor, we had no idea we had a water leak. Never had any water on the floor or drips from the ceiling or anything. My take away is to be aggressive and actively look and inspect for any type of water leaks or damage. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
Nice work, Rick. Keep up the progress videos!
We will keeping posting “update videos” until the leak is found/stopped and the floor is repaired. Thanks for watching.
Good work! At least now you know it's fixed correctly instead of wondering what the dealership may or may not have done.
That is true. Not saying a dealership couldn’t fix it, but at least I will know how it was fixed and I am continuing to learn and understand my Airstream better. Safe travels
Find a dealer that can perform a leak test. I have one done every year and they always find at least one that could cause a problem if it was let go over time. The first one I had done on my previous 2020 Airstream at the 9 month of ownership they found so many leaks that Airstream paid for them to seal it up.
Thanks for the tip. I may need to check into a leak test in the future. Safe travels.
Did you make it to Illumilina?
Unfortunately not 😟. Still making repairs to the Airstream.
I'd use good ol' black tar sealer around the vents and skylights👍🏼 after you silicone caulk the seams.
Well I am hopeful that the Dicor Lap Sealant does the trick.
I feel lucky that I have the composite flooring on my airstream... Your video encourages everyone that you can fix just about anything on an airstream if you put your mind to it. The roof is was probable more time consuming than the flooring I am guessing. Roof repair scares me more than anything. Are you going to replace the linoleum floor in all the airstream? Great Job.!
Composite floods in the new Airstreams are probably one of the best design upgrades in the past few years. After this water damage, I do wish we had the composite floors. However, I’m hopeful that we will be able to locate and stop the leak as well as repair the subfloor. As for the linoleum, we have not yet decided what type of flooring we will use. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
Nice work. Did you do any leak testing with a hose or something similar to really identify where the water was coming in?
We’re trying the hose technique as well as Mother Nature is helping out with random rain storms. Rain isn’t as helpful since it doesn’t allow us to pinpoint potential leak locations. It just lets us know we still have a water leak. 😕
Sounds like it leaked through the roof, dripped down the rib cage to the side wall, then soaked into the plywood from the wall right? but looked like the plywood that was tucked into the C channel was decent somehow, which seems weird but maybe that's just how it runs? That's a tough leak. Hard to detect before it does a lot of damage.
Insurance should have covered it though right?
That’s the same logic I came to. When doing my initial assessment, I noticed the lap sealant around the Skylight was cracking so I have replaced it. As for the plywood, I can only assume the protective coating (black paint type stuff) that Airstream applies along the other edge of the subfloor must actually work. Unfortunately the water just worked its way to the untreated plywood.
Rick - sorry you had to go through this but looks like you have it under control, what year is your International? We have a 2020 Globetrotter 27FB and of course they started using composite decking the following year.
It is a 2017. Based on the amount of damage to the subfloor, I assume it has been leaking for a while. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
Did you ever find out exactly where the water was coming from? I have a Tradewind on order and have been watching all your videos to give me an idea of what I’m getting myself into.
Newer models have composite flooring. I believe the changeover occurred in 2021.
@@toshlito I’m tracking, but was just wondering what was the cause of the leak.
Congrats on the Trade Wind. That is exciting. We are still working on the Airstream leak and subfloor repairs. I will continue to post Update Videos until we get it resolved (if interested). Please don’t be discouraged about your future Airstream, just have realistic expectations on maintenance and repairs that may be required. Every AS is different, so my experience may be very different from your. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
Rick,
Thank you such a detailed video - much appreciated. Like you, I would have gone through a range of emotion as well. I would have found it helpful if you listed the tools / materials that you used during each phase of this project as well as a total time and cost for you doing the repairs vs. an estimated time / cost is an authorized Airstream deal did. Slowing Smooth / Smooth is fast. Hope the weather holds out for you.
Once we complete the repairs (taking it slow) I was think about making a video of what we learned. I like your recommendation on providing the details on the tools and materials we use and I’m sure I can come up with the material cost. However, labor cost may be a little more difficult…my hourly wage is high 🤣🤣🤣. Thanks again for watching