Are Airstreams low maintenance?
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?
Forum Discussion
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.
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.
