Are Airstreams low maintenance?

[joe_julie81]

As far as the exterior is concerned, Airstream is supposed to be low maintenance. I'm wondering what maintenance is required and how often. And can it be done by the owner and what is the cost factor?

[eend]

We have a 1993 Airstream to me they are easy to take care of compared to the white box trailers we owned prior. Our last trailer was a 2011 cruiser rv product, I washed /waxed it annually but a leak had sprung and rotted the floor, and started to delaminate. So I’m done with junk and I’m happy with my quality build airstream.

[NWnative]

They have similar maintenance requirements as any other TT. Seams need to be checked and sealed as needed - usually about every 5 years. Same with the roof..check annually replace sealant as needed. A good coat of automotive wax once a year (twice is used year around) will keep it looking nice and shiny. What makes the AS a nice option is that it will outlast pretty much every other TT on the road today if cared for. It will also retain it'a value much better in the long run.

[Gulfcoast]

Rv'ing is not cheap...

[OleManOleCan]

I've never seen a no maintenance trailer.
I think all of em benefit from TLC, inside and out.
Sometimes it's the little things that make the difference.
Some trailers have a steeper learning curve than others.

[aftermath]

I have an Airstream. Purchased it used back in '09. Low Maintenance, I don't think so but then I consider maintenance as something you need to do regularly to keep everything looking good and running well.

Yes it has "protected" aluminum skin but you still need to wash and wax it. Your cars and trucks have nicely painted skins and you still need to take care of them. Folks today look for low maintenance so they basically think they don't have to do any maintenance. Vinyl siding is a good example, as are plastic fences.

I owned a white box trailer and the outsides both required much the same attention. What I have found is the the insides, the doors, the drawers, the faucets, the cabinets all require much less "fixing". The exteriors have seams that need to be watched and caulked when needed. The finish on the aluminum is not bullet proof. I have had birds with bad diets deposit stuff on the trailer that has eaten through the clear coat. This is not an easy fix.

So, when you consider everything, Airstreams are not maintenance free. Less perhaps, but that will come back to what kind of owner you are.

[DownTheAvenue]

BB_TX wrote:

DownTheAvenue wrote:

eubank wrote:
Yes and no. Like any surface, aluminum requires some care and feeding. If done right, you'll have many years of service, perhaps longer than you'll live to enjoy. If not done right (or if not done at all), you'll have yourself a nice, expensive nightmare.

🙂
Lynn

Actually, the airstream aluminium is clear coated and requires no maintenance except routine washing with a clear coat safe automotive wash. It never needs polishing or other care. No typical black streaks. Sure all appliances are RV and will require some maintenance.

That certainly contradicts what Airstream Inc. recommends in the link above.

What the manufacturer says and what this multiple aowner has learned from pratical experience is two different things. I bet the owner's manual in your vehicle says to wash and wax frequently, too. How many people follow that?

[BB_TX]

DownTheAvenue wrote:

eubank wrote:
Yes and no. Like any surface, aluminum requires some care and feeding. If done right, you'll have many years of service, perhaps longer than you'll live to enjoy. If not done right (or if not done at all), you'll have yourself a nice, expensive nightmare.

🙂
Lynn

Actually, the airstream aluminium is clear coated and requires no maintenance except routine washing with a clear coat safe automotive wash. It never needs polishing or other care. No typical black streaks. Sure all appliances are RV and will require some maintenance.

That certainly contradicts what Airstream Inc. recommends in the link above.

[DownTheAvenue]

eubank wrote:
Yes and no. Like any surface, aluminum requires some care and feeding. If done right, you'll have many years of service, perhaps longer than you'll live to enjoy. If not done right (or if not done at all), you'll have yourself a nice, expensive nightmare.

🙂
Lynn

Actually, the airstream aluminium is clear coated and requires no maintenance except routine washing with a clear coat safe automotive wash. It never needs polishing or other care. No typical black streaks. Sure all appliances are RV and will require some maintenance.

[Dick_B]

It sounds like you might be interested in buying one.
I'd be more concerned with the living space/layout, than the outside, which is where one spends most of their time.

[rbpru]

There is no way to deny that you are hauling you house down the road at 60+ mph, not to mention the bouncy back roads.

All TTs are going to be exposed to these condition. The tube by its nature is a strong design. However the interior is pretty much the same.

Given the fact that refurbishing old AS units is common tells you they are tough but I am not sure that translates to less maintenance.

[Lwiddis]

Let’s say they are better.

[twodownzero]

All RVs are built essentially like ****. If you buy any RV, plan on working on it or paying a lot for someone else to work on it. Don't let anyone convince you that any RV is low maintenance. RVs have a lot of systems and fixing them is part of owning them. The newer and fancier they are, the more stuff there is to break. But even maintaining a furnace, fridge, A/C unit, toilet/shower, and the box itself from water coming inside is plenty of work.

[BB_TX]

https://support.airstream.com/hc/en-us/articles/360031121871-How-often-should-I-wash-the-outside-of-...

[eubank]

Yes and no. Like any surface, aluminum requires some care and feeding. If done right, you'll have many years of service, perhaps longer than you'll live to enjoy. If not done right (or if not done at all), you'll have yourself a nice, expensive nightmare.

🙂
Lynn