Another great video Chad on a topic that is widely discussed on various forums. Thanks for having the L-Brackets handy for us to see. That really helps understand exactly what Airstream has done to hopefully mitigate the problem of FES. Keep them coming my friend!

Chad, thank you for all the information on airstreams. We’re going to purchase a Tradewinds in two years upon retirement, doing our research now. Your videos are helping us understand Airstream.

The other thing you you didn’t mention with the upgrade is the weight distribution of the trailer. The batteries being where they are on the Trade Wind (low and behind the rear axle) allows it to have a much lower tongue weight, especially if you are adding all the batteries to the front.

great video! your dealership was very good to deal with on our way home to Nova Scotia last spring. Thank you so much for fixing our door latch and replacing our microwave. Great service!!

Been watching a lot of your videos and really appreciate the insight you share with your viewers. I'd like to get your spin and what Airstream has to say on the need of a weight distribution hitch and if there are exceptions to the rule. We have been towing a 30ft 5th wheel for 26 years, on our 4th truck now, a new 2023 Superduty with the diesel. Of course with a 5th wheel, tongue weight is what it is to some degree, only to be managed by what else is in the bed of your truck and how you might load the trailer. Point is, with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, the rear of the truck doesn't sag to much with a much greater tongue weight than what is placed on it by a pull trailer. We are thinking of downsizing and are looking hard at the Airstreams. My concern is a weight dist. hitch by and of itself does nothing for sway control, thats for a sway bar if needed. Looking at KYD's weigh in's, the hitch didn't seem to change the weights across the board by what I would think is a significant amount, except for increasing the weight on your trailer axles which by decreasing your gvwr carrying capacity which is low to begin with on Airstreams compared to other brands. My concern/worry would be how much stress your placing on the tongue/framework of an Airstream? They even mentioned several times and showed they can't open the battery box with tension on the hitch? This for me would be a red flag flexing the frame on a unit that has a bit of history with front end frame/body separation adding undue stress on the trailer. Would like to hear your thoughts on this, as I am currently thinking if we make the switch, I don't feel we will be adding a weight dist. hitch to the equation, not thinking it is necessary and might be the best measure in preventing separation. Looking forward to your response, and if Airstream has a firm position on this, thanks in advance!

We have a 24 TW. Not an electric geek, I just want it to work when I need it to for our dry camp/Boondocking use cases. It fits the bill exactly. Nice machine.

I really enjoy your videos. Keep going.

Great info. I’m relieved to know the early 2024 FC we bought from you has this change. FES was one of my big concerns. We’ve been on several trips so far and are loving our AS!

We have a 2023 classic 33 with the upgrade. We still use an Air Ride hitch. It make a huge difference to the induced earth quake effect and a much smoother ride.

Chad, you mention that the Tradewind can handle 30 amps on the battery, but can you investigate why it can’t seem to handle a 5 to 7 amp draw while only on batteries. Try running a heat gun or hair dryer and nothing else while unplugged from shore power and you will see what I mean. Thanks for your honest reviews and the videos that you post! Edited to add that it will run them on high but not on medium or low. Again 5 to 7 amps. Has happened on our TW and at least one other new TW on the lot.

Honest video.

Thanks, Chad. TFS.

Chad, thanks for the excellent video talking about adding solar, lithium, etc, regarding resell value. I am now rethinking a Tradewind over a Globe Trotter. Given the success of this year’s 25 foot model, and hints on if they’re thinking about a 27 foot TW?

Great video Chad. Thanks for sharing.

When I use 15 amp, I have to set my Victron to 5 amp. So I would use the Victron App to control the system, like those of us that have aftermarket install.

Just seen the price of the trade wind $142,000 You could buy a International and have a proper solar multiplus battery install, not the poorly executed design of the trade wind.

Chad, the switch is unnecessary. Reps from Battleborn can walk you thru the process of changing the victron setting to allow charging off 15 amp.

Why install a RED ARC Dc dc Charger, a Victron Energy model, would have allowed it to be wired into the CERBO GX, and could of allowed a person to monitor on the touchscreen as well.

Great info!

I have a rocky relationship with Airstream. My first one (‘21 Basecamp 20X) was a lemon they finally agreed to buy back. The replacement has been great. How tone deaf could they be to drop the ball on the 110 issue and not have it from the start? Makes one wonder what else is lurking about, soon to rear it’s ugly head with this new model🤦‍♀️ Nevertheless, the boon docking capability of the Trade Wind has me thinking about getting one 🧐

So happy I did not get one. I’ve been so pissed that I couldn’t plug it into 110 V. It was bad enough buying my 2023 flying cloud 25 foot front bed twin would let them in solar with no way to know what my battery level was, I would’ve flipped out

I use the Blue ox system. the chains are suppose to be set at 9 links. Ive gone to 8 links to put less stress on the front of the frame. I dont know if this will help but I hope so. The brackets were put on at the factory when there for repairs. I hope this takes care of "flex"

Great video Chad. Is it accurate to say that all 2024 Trade Winds are reinforced?

Future RVs will not use propane. Between the solar and the sure power and the lithium batteries. No genrators required. Call it the California edition But if you want if for cold propane would be nice.

Do all 2024's have the FES prevention already added (even the early 2024's)? If they do, is this an internal thing, or is it visible? I do not see anything added inside our front storage area of our 2024 FBT. Thanks!

The new B&W weight distribution system doesn’t use bars. Review this system vs. other weight distribution systems.

The more of these videos that I watch the more I realise that. Buying an airstream is a very iffy project .

I have a 2024 Pottery Barn 28 RBT and pulling it with a GMC 2500 diesel truck. I use a Weigh Safe WDR. I am thinking about using a standard hitch with my truck as several others have advised me that I don’t need a WDH with my truck. I’m just curious what opinions are about that change.

I have a 2024 Trade Wind that has buckling around the front storage bay which appeared prior to 60 days of ownership and less than 1,500 miles. If all new Airstreams have the fix for FES from the factory then why is there buckling around the storage bay? My local dealer says that they can install brackets around the storage bay to take care of the problem but I thought that those brackets were already installed by the manufacturer beginning in 2023. I'm confused! I just know that what I'm experiencing should not be happening and I would just like to understand what needs to be done to actually fix this problem? I know that the trailer has not been overloaded, has not been off-road, and I'm using the exact same hitch that I used to pull my prior Airstream for 18 years all over the US and Alaska and never experienced any problems with it so what's going on? I feel like I'm getting the run-around.

Excellent info question- what about twin bed configuration? did airstream also reinforce the front also?? specifically in 2024 27ft flying cloud and how can a customer tell? thanks

Chad you mentioned in this video you use a Gen Y hitch. Did you get rid of the blue ox hitch you had in your newbie videos?

Did they approve a hitch for the Basecamp?

Don't make excuses for Airstream, the Trade Wind is a poorly executed addition to the Airstream lineup.

Chad - Not being able to chart with a 15A outlet basically makes the Tradewind useless for its intended purpose (staying away from RV parks). Mine is in to have this fixed.

FES is a problem from the CEO down. Easy problem to fix, but if they do they are admitting a flawed design and then a class action suit.

Small correction at 2:56 mark, power equal current times voltage, 30 amps times 220vac is 6600 watts

You made no mention that Lippert makes the frames for Airstream, and we all know that Lippert is having a huge issue with many Grand Design trailers having frame flex.

What about my 2023 ?? 😢😢