REVIEW: AIRSTREAM DISLIKES | 2017 Airstream Interstate Grand Tour EXT 

Thank you for a detailed and honest review of the good, bad and scary! Very much appreciated. Enjoy your lovely airstream!

This was an amazing review ~ THANK YOU and thank you Patrick below for your comments as well.

Great review. I never thought about checking these areas. Very detail and good information. thank you

Nice review of your Airstream but for the menu controls all I can say is R.T.F.M (read the manual)and you will learn how to use it. As for the dash trim coming apart the screw caps going off the marks on the sliding door the drawers sliding open and the bed issues most are adjustable that's all covered under factory warranty as for the tight space all I can say is trade up to a class C or class A you are in a class B without a slide things will be tight. As to the things you wish where different you do know you could have made a custom ordered van to meet what you wanted the way you wanted after all you bought a home on wheel it could be build any way you want. You have two warranties the Mercedes and the Airstream use them you paid good money for your van it should at least be right good luck with it

Lovely to see and know about this PROBLEMS.

THANK YOU for an outstanding review. These are things a person would not see on the show room floor.

Superb Video, particularly for someone thinking about buying one. Hopefully they will thoughtfully think your issues through. The retail on my 2016 unit was over $150,000 so I had high expectations on quality. I ordered onyx wood with black seats so didn't see the bleed through with fabrics, however I did have major issues figuring out the menu options and buttons....maybe german thinking vs. how american vehicles are constructed. 1. On the sink, I also had issues with the black rubber gasket pieces coming loose that support the top...lost a couple and had to order more. 2. I also had interference on the TV's coming from having the overhead lights on...found it out by trial and error...clear design flaw. You have to be able to run the bathroom vent...moisture will kill any RV...plus they have the towel drying cord in there....please Airstream, fix this. 3. I hate plastic latches....cheap, and always wear out...I paid for more than that. 4. My big drawers were replaced by Airstream as they all came out and broke...decorative latches like you showed that do nothing...then plastic...so wrong. One wonders how much money Airstream is spending on replaced drawers. 5. Keep an eye on the toilet paper cover..mine broke and had to be replaced. 6. Magic Suede on the sliding door is a major issue, clear design flaw. Was afraid I wouldn't be able to sell my unit showing all that dirt and color with the door closed. 6. I agree with the back bed....looks beautiful and travels well with friends....but I was sleeping alone over months....and had to sleep at such awkward angles to just sleep....functional....but they need to make an engineer sleep on that couch for a month and figure a little better design. Best Regard, Patrick

great video but I need to know how old is Jordan Peele?

Some people at the campground come up to me frequently asking "how do you like your 'Sprinter'? No, a Sprinter is a cargo van, this is an Airstream. After correcting them, I tell them "I love it, and as a matter of fact, I would buy it again". They're disappointed in my response. Lot of haters, but most are complementary. It's a great traveling Class "B" camper van that I tow a motorcycle trailer or a Honda Fit along easily losing only two (2) mpg. I cannot relate to all the nit-picky-complainers on this blog. After all, doing routine maintenance and repairs are to be expected and you have to stay on top of it. Most of the service and repairs had to do with the Mercedes Benz chassis. The Airstream warranty is rock solid. Overall, it's better now than it was new. Thumbs Up to Airstream!

Smedsters, excellent review...very well done. Although I am not an RV owner yet, I am planning to purchase one in the coming years. One of my top Class B coaches I've been considering is the Airstream Interstate Grand Tour. Thank you for showing the good as well as the bad in the design and workmanship.

Just a wonderful, informative video that shows the things that would always bug you if you owned one of these. For the price points, I weighed Leisure Travel Van ( Unity) and Pleasure Way, both Canadian built. My Leisure Travel Van ( in production now) will have White Ultra Leather so I appreciate the cautionary tale of the blue sweater and blue jeans! Also the walk through the Sprinter controls helps a lot. Thanks for the exceptional video.

I liked this model at the RV show. It seemed to have most of what we were looking for but not quite right. What you have shown here is stuff that only comes to mind after the fact and with usage. Some of the problems you point out are valid, some nit picky, some annoyances. I hope you're still happy with your RV. It still looks great. Hopefully you're getting good use out of it. We're looking at doing a conversion using a Transit platform as it's the only way I'm going to get things just the way I want them. Full sized RV oven and sink for two. Take care and good luck on things,,,

It's very good for you did this video, hopefully it will make them to improved for next year's model!!

Thanks for this video. I am now leaning toward Pleasureway after this.

A suggestion would be once you can clean the sliding door panel would be to spray it with a fabric protector. This is an awesome video, it's the little things that make a difference. I sincerely hope that the manufacturers listen to these concerns.

Thank you, great review!! We were going to buy the Airstream Interstate, but now I changed my mind because I think the bed will give us a huge problem, My husband had two back surgeries and he is a very sensitive sleeper. We will be looking for the twin beds in the back.

Thanks for the great videos. I just picked up my 2018 Interstate and after taking it home, I found out that the windshield sprayer doesn't work. For $165000 van this thing should have no problem.

I have one question, did you inspect the Airstream this closely before you purchased it??????

Thank you for this, the probability I will buy one is now lower. I think the Atlas is 4 season, is this puppy?

fascinating video. U really see so much i would never see. Y did u buy one?

Great review.

on your refrig door review portion, you demonstrate the plastic handles and latches, but there are also the little rotating metal latches that rotate into place to more securely keep the door closed (I can see them on your video), that can help to keep your frig "locked" - strong metal, to reduce that "wear and tear" of heavy items pushing onto your plastic latches. FYI!

Thank you for your excellent review so the manufacturer would be very much aware of their products that are in TOP QUALITY, SAFER and have LONG LASTING PERFORMANCE (Made in ...) likewise, convince more customer/client...

I would take out the galley to couch double ,twin fold down to bed ,if possible circle round Lazy Susan kitchen small kitchen different kind of kitchen sink, one stove top electric, move up toaster oven safe to use??

@31:16 Glue thin magnetic tape attached to the drawer and dresser; when the drawer is closed, make sure the two magnetic strips is touching each other (of course, make sure they're attracting and not repealing!)

Thanks. Great video. Highly appreciated.

Exceptional review.

How do you make the front windshield and driver /passenger window covers work?

Researching Class B’s and want to know if it was a good buy for u after having it for some time now. I’m thinking of a custom build Bur would like your thoughts. Thanks Dave

Wow! Airstream has dropped like a rock in their quality! The company has changed hands several times over the decades and through its different owners has lost its distinction of being a uniquely different RV and travel trailer manufacturer through being high quality and unique style. Airstream is off my list now. I'm a lot like you in spotting design and quality flaws. I've watched several of your videos on your 2017 Airstream and found your info valuable. Thank You!! I'm now looking at the Pleasure-Way Plateau TS - same Mercedes chassis, but they seem to have thought out some of those negatives found on your Airstream and done a better job. Pleasure-Way Plateau TS has a larger wet bath, dimmable LED lighting, and the memory foam bed is better thought out over the Airstream. Much more "positives" with the Pleasure-Way Plateau TS. I'm going to try to rent a Pleasure-Way Plateau TS and check it out thoroughly before deciding to buy.

When I was a kid, around 1986, My mother bought a brand new Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham De'Elegance white leather interior with deep red carpet and trim/dash..quite the flashy car..white ..red or burgundy sim con top..anyway, mom was always worried I would mess up the seats so she kept them covered with towels haha..except when we were going to church..I remember mom buying that Cadillac down in Miami at Ocean Cadillac..she saw it on the showroom floor and it had 200 miles on it..after arguing over price we were on our way home in what now would be a gawdy Cadillac haha..I won't have white or light interior again!

Very well done. Thank you.

There is a new Sprinter coming out later this year. Please review it when you find one.

wow thanks a lot for these comments. They really are worth considering when spending $140 grand. Thats why I like pleasure way they seem to spend the time on attention to detail.

Thank you for such a great honest detail of the good and bad on this expensively RV! I am looking into and RV my self but what make me lost interés on this type of Airstream was the shower room size. Very bad size, not to mention all the incredible finding you found throughout your experience on this vehicle. Wow! The manufacturing is always after the American money and not giving any quality to its product for customer satisfaction! No way will I buy something like this. If I was you I give it back!!!!

Thank you for your review: 1) Menu button frustration. I agree, all Mercedes-Benz seem to be the same (Kind of), you should see what the diesel pusher have. 2) Dash Cover: The should have just left the stock sprinter color and materials. Other converters make their own dash and it looks better. 3) Screw cover: Good point, $167,000.00 retail Class "B" with one lonely screw cab off. I would literally drive me nuts. Silicone is in my future.. 4) Color Bleed: I have had this before, glad you warned me. 5) Sink knob, Glad I bought the silicone above. 6) So I agree, should have been better. 7) Blue Ray: The solution here is to put in a Apple TV, WiFi Extender and Harmony RF remote control. The Blue Ray internal stuff is really bad, Apple TV is really good, Harmony allows for no cabinet to be opened to use all functions RF=Radio Frequency. 8) TV/Fan Issue: Got it, nice to know. 9) Latch On Refrid: I have had this latch on other Airstreams, no issue over time. 10) Drawer Closure: I was very concerned about this. Solution is weight distribution and adjusting the drawers. Child proof latches can be added. Your point is this should not be the case, I again agree. 11) Shower: Good Stuff

Thanks for the review. I do love the Interstate. The price of the Interstate (and other good Class Bs) is so high that they are out of reach for 98% of people (unless they want to go into massive debt on a depreciating asset). However, at least Class Bs have higher quality than most other RVs. Except for a few companies, most RVs are complete junk.

Learn something with every one of your videos. Keep them coming. We have had our 2017 GT for 3 months. Watched your Fusion map update and discovered there was a center console compartment. Unfortunately ours had been glued shut when the trim was installed. Now cleaned and functional. Having one motor replaced on a night shade. Big concern about the galley sink...the sleeve that holds the faucet to the fixture was never tightened/or came loose and when I turned the pump on, the faucet blew off....with resulting water everywhere. I now check it daily. One of my pet peeves is the main control switch location. We have inadvertently turned off all power twice by bumping the switch on the way out the door. How about a video on the electric systems in the coach...and maybe upgrading solar?? FYI...we had those lovely drawer buttons on a boat, and they did lock. NEVER had a drawer come open.

You nailed it on the Mercedes instrument panel. Really pathetic. We have a 2018 Pleasure Way and are very happy with the build quality. The only problem we have had is the roller blinds can come "unsprung." We tend to use "reflectix" in the windows instead of the shades.

Is the interior ceiling height 6'-3", including in the shower? Is the bed long enough for someone 6'-2" tall?

I am not positive, but I believe the section of the key fob with the red cover is a sensor, when you push the button to lock or unlock the doors it works like a television remote control, aimed at vehicle it sends a signal. I could be wrong, but that is what I think. Good video, beats seeing only videos that praise a vehicle and not give you an honest evaluation such as you do.

try adding a ferrite bead on both the television a/c cord and the antenna cable to remove the noise. It maybe be your cheapest fix.

Hi I am amazed with your review, I have only one question?Don't you have a insurance?I just wanted to thank you for saving me a lots of money, I wish you could do it for other similar car like Wennbeago

I thought highly of Air Stream well i guess Pleasure way and Advance RV are the Top 2 in comfort and durability but Advance RV specializes in customizing

I was considering buying this new, now I will avoid it like the plague. How about PleasureCraft?

Regarding the plastic latches on the rear of the drawers. The latch appeared white in parts of the latch that flexes when the drawer is opened and closed. Eventually these would fail allowing the drawer to have no locking mechanism. Better these be made of metal.

Q- Knowing what you know now, would you purchase another Airstream?

I've just bought a new 2017 Tommy Bahama. I wish they had electric an sliding door and electric seats up front. When in reverse you can't hear the audible alarm that sounds when you approach an obstacle. It is very faint and I don't how to turn it up. I owned a boat and it had the same latches on the drawers only they actually locked the drawers in place. These should use the same mechanism. Wish the step at the sliding door would come out without shutting off the engine.

by the time you take to describe the minor issues i could have fixed all the issues . easy fixes

I personally think that Mercedes could improve on some of their commercial aspects of the chassis to make it more friendly for the RV user; however, the BIGGEST pet peeve for us is the cup holders, What Mercedes calls a cup holder below the radio is a non-starter. The cup holders that are on the top of the dash barely fits a 20 oz water bottle, don't even think about putting a cup of coffee up there. Then you have the cup holders on the doors, these are good size; however, you have to reach really low unless you have really long arms and a short body. I use a 24 oz. water bottle and the door is the only place I can put it, you can't see me when I reach for it, LOL. I think feedback to Mercedes would be more beneficial and there is a MB Sprinter forum, but contacting them directly I think would be more helpful. Mercedes is selling a lot of the Sprinter chassis's and they need to work really hard on improving their cup holders. Mercedes chassis's are being used a lot for Class Bs. I could be wrong, but I think the dash covers for the MB is a MB product that can be ordered so maybe they should look at their product a little closer, I have seen them as an option for the Sprinter through the Sprinter Store. So, with all of that said, the cup holders that are in the rear by the bench seat are pretty good. I also think MB could improve on the heating for the chassis, my legs and feet are always cold when driving in cold weather and we are still trying to figure out why when the heat is on there is cold air blowing out of the vents that direct air to the windshield...........back to reading the manual a little more, LOL!

Thanks for the Video, we have looked at so many American Made units that seem to be very nice but there are issues with Fit and Finish! We have decided on Pleasure-Way, Canadian made. Have rented and was very pleased with the Fit and Finish and cheaper than the Airstream!

the key and instrument cluster is from 90 mercedes era

All these problems, I can overcome with little or no efforts, I just know it!

is a regular speedometer too difficult for you too figure out?

Never thought about asking my vehicle for the outside temperature. I just press the button on my iphone and say "temperature". It knows where you are and tells you instantly

purchased a new 2016 Airstream Grand Tour EXT and experienced many problems. Poor radio reception, inverter crashed , automatic shades never worked, leaking pipe under sink, cannot access interior tires to check pressure, heat/fire alarm batteries had to be removed to use heat in winter, macerator hose and reel does not work as advertised. I had the coach in the shop for weeks and the Airstream factory could not communicate effectively with the dealer on many problems. I sold the unit and purchased a CoachHouse Rv. The loss was the only dollar loss I was glad to take. Airstream is overpriced and underperforms.

great video, you should do another one at 5K or 10K miles

you should get a job with Airstream good vid

great info.. nothing is perfect but for the money you would think k these small things be addressed.

These Aiirstreams look beautiful but lack technology and Airstream needs to listen to consumers like you who actually use the product...at the Airstream price-point, every one of the issues you pointed out should be addressed (except the things related to the Mercedes chassis...not much they can do about that)

DO THEY GIVE YOU A MANUAL WITH THE RV ?????

you do know how to read an analog speedometer, don't you? :D I mean, having the speed in the digital readout is a bit of a gimmick

Might try reading the owners manual to understand what you can't guess

Wow, it has EXIT label on the door ... someone would actually mistaken it for ENTRANCE?

Excellent review. This is one RV I would never buy. Shame on you Airstream. I hope corporate watches this video. They probably won't because there are plenty of suckers that will continue to buy these P.I.S.

The button in the middle

Looks like they need a game platform designer to help them with their user interface.

This is the same system as on my wife's 01 C200 Kompressor wagon, it's still a very bad system 16 years later, Mercedes have completely failed to improve it.

For water faucet knob, put some thread lock on it, problem solved.

$109,000 is a lot of money, add tax and about $120,00. Too much, when you consider most people who buy them never drive them and sell them at a huge discount. If it had less shiny useless stuff you probably would be happier with it.

Pls read the manual 1st... then u will know the function....

Run like hell!

Sorry I meant Warrantee

Both "Cockpit Driver & Passenger Seat's" are MISSING AN ARM !!! Why would you want to sit in a High Dollar Seat with one of your arm's hanging over the side with its Knuckle's dragging on the floor ??? At $250,000.00 this issue cause's a definite No Sale Deal Breaker !!!

Infrared is correct

I bet he's canadian, so he's pro roadtrek

Good thing she's cute

Consider,,, the oversee-er of Air Stream's manufacturing is now,,, "Thor",,, who honor's itself for spitting out 15 or 20 of these units a day instead of the Original Air Stream manufacturer that did probably 2 to 3 a day... Quality Control goes down the toilet with Faster Attempt's to mass produce... But,,, you get No Price Reduction for shitty quality...It's a very nice unit,,, but I'd spend my money on a Good Used,,, "Issues" corrected unit...

Dude might not have an analog watch. Just sayin'

some Spoilt american would have sued because they read the temperature as their speed. We really whine about our first world problems.....mayb live a simpler minamilist life and u can stop grumbling:)? Great video,thanks

When ever I have looked at airstream lately. It just seems to me that it is such an overpriced garbage, there are just no words. There are worse RVs out there but none of them cost close to how much air streams cost. I just dont get it

Wow! What a gimmicky pile

RTFM = read the f##%%^n manual

Did someone forget to laminate that dash panel or every panels like that? Poor quality. The sink is one of the worst engineered sink, the design engineer should be fired.

After 6 minutes I'm already annoyed

Bla, bla, bla! Look into the manual, 0 mph is the average speed! By the way, it’s Clickbait

One of the reasons I didn't buy one of these. Lots of sizzle no steak. If you look really close you'll see lots of cheap quality and inferior parts. For 150k+ total rip off. Ultra leather.....hahahhahaahha reminds me of "fine Corinthian leather" . Oh please, what junk. I'm certainly glad i didn't buy one.

Just read your directions and don't sound like you have no idea what your talking about!! There's enough people on the net that have no idea what their talking about!!

30% quality content 70% should be removed