Free RV manual

Airstream Basecamp Manual

The Airstream Basecamp is a travel trailer built by Airstream. Federal safety records on it cover model years 2017 to 2024. This page shows how its systems work, every recall on file for it, and where to find the official owner's manual.

Built by	Airstream
Kind	Travel trailer
Model years on record	2017 to 2024
Recalls on file	14

The official owner's manual

Airstream keeps owner's manuals online, free to read. Pick the model year of your rig. It is on the sticker by the entry door.

Airstream owner's manuals

Component manuals

Dometic · Fridges, air conditioners and awnings
Suburban · Furnaces and water heaters
Lippert · Slides, awnings, jacks and leveling
Thetford and Norcold · Norcold fridges and Thetford toilets
Dexter · Trailer axles, brakes and bearings

How its systems work

Our free manuals for every system on a travel trailer. The ones its recalls touched come first.

2 recalls touch thisShore power and batteries30 amp and 50 amp shore power, the 12 volt battery side and the inverter. What runs on what, and how not to trip a breaker.1 recall touches thisThe roof air conditionerHow much power it needs, why it freezes up, how to clean the filters and what to try before you call for help.1 recall touches thisHitching a trailerCoupler, safety chains, breakaway cable and lights. A simple routine to hitch up the same way every time.1 recall touches thisTires, wheels and bearingsTire age, pressure and load, lug nut torque and when to service trailer wheel bearings. The parts that cause the most trouble on the road.Free manualFresh water and the water heaterCity water, the fresh tank, the pump and the water heater. How to fill it, turn it on and keep it clean.Free manualThe water heaterGas, electric or both. How to fill it, light it, drain it and care for the anode rod, plus what to do when there is no hot water.Free manualBlack and gray tanksThe order, the hose, the valves and what to put down the toilet. Dumping your tanks the right way, step by step.Free manualThe toiletHow to flush, what paper to use and how to keep the black tank from clogging or smelling.Free manualSolar and lithium batteriesHow solar charges your batteries, what lithium changes, and how to tell how much power you really have left.Free manualPropane, furnace and fridgeOpening the tanks, lighting the stove, running the furnace and fridge, and what to do if you smell gas.Free manualPropane, smoke and CO alarmsWhere each alarm is, what each one means, how to test them and why the propane alarm sometimes beeps on a low battery.Free manualThe refrigeratorGas and electric absorption fridges, 12 volt compressor fridges, how long they take to cool and how to keep food cold on the road.Free manualThe furnaceA propane furnace with a 12 volt fan. How it starts, why it drains the battery and what to check when it blows cold air.Free manualRoof and sealsWater is the biggest enemy of an RV. How to check the roof and seams, which sealant to use and the signs of a leak.Free manualSlide outsWhen to open them, when not to, and what to check first. Slide outs are the most common repair on a rental, and most of it is avoidable.Free manualAwningsPower and manual awnings, how to set them, and why wind is the thing that breaks them.Free manualLeveling and jacksBlocks, tongue jacks, stabilizers and auto leveling. How to get level, why it matters and why stabilizers are not for lifting.Free manualWinterizing and spring start upDrain it, bypass the water heater and fill the lines with RV antifreeze. Then how to undo it all in spring.Free manualTrailer brakes and breakawayElectric brakes, the brake controller in your truck, how to set the gain and how to test the breakaway switch.Free manualWeight and payloadWhat GVWR, cargo capacity and tongue weight mean, how to weigh your rig, and why sway almost always starts with weight.

Recalls on file

NHTSA has 14 recalls on file for the Airstream Basecamp. The most common areas are labels (3), oven and stove and cooktop (2) and glass, side and rear (2). Each one is listed below as filed. A recall is fixed free at a dealer, even on a used rig, and even years later.

Labels · model year 2023 · 24V206000, filed March 15, 2024

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2023 Basecamp 16 & 16X travel trailers. The metric and imperial GAWR values were transposed. As such, these trailers fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

What can happen. An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Airstream will mail corrected labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2024. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 24V206000. See it on NHTSA

Body · model years 2021 to 2023 · 23V860000, filed December 19, 2023

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Basecamp 20X travel trailers. The spare tire carrier bracket may experience metal fatigue and break, allowing the spare tire to detach from the trailer.

What can happen. A detached spare tire may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Dealers will inspect the bracket, and replace and install additional support, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 23V860000. See it on NHTSA

Wiring · model years 2021 to 2023 · 23V614000, filed September 1, 2023

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2021-2023 16' Basecamp and 20' Basecamp travel trailers manufactured without an air conditioner. The 12-gauge wire for future air conditioner installation was not properly terminated inside the junction box.

What can happen. An improperly terminated wire can cause an electrical shock, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix. Dealers will remove the wire from the circuit breaker and power converter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 23V614000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our shore power and batteries manual.

Electrical system · model years 2023 to 2024 · 23V519000, filed July 27, 2023

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bambi, Basecamp, Caravel, Flying Cloud, Globetrotter, International, and Interstate travel trailers. The SmartPlug 30 Amp inlet manufactured with the manganese bronze D-rings may crack or fail when over tightened.

What can happen. A D-ring that cracks or fails may allow wires to loosen, causing electrical arcing and increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the SmartPlug 30-amp inlet as needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2023. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 23V519000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our shore power and batteries manual.

Oven/stove/cooktop · model years 2021 to 2023 · 23V134000, filed March 1, 2023

What is wrong. Airstream Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Basecamp, Bambi, Atlas, and Interstate travel trailers, equipped with certain SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.

What can happen. A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will install a regulator support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 29, 2023. Owners may contact Airstream Customer Service at 877-596-6111 (Travel Trailer ext. 7491) or (Touring Coach ext. 7401).

Campaign 23V134000. See it on NHTSA

Glass, side/rear · model years 2017 to 2022 · 22V932000, filed December 15, 2022

What is wrong. Airstream Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Basecamp 16, and 2021-2022 Basecamp 20 travel trailers. The adhesive bond between the glass and metal frame of the entry door window can fail, causing the glass to separate from the frame.

What can happen. A window glass that detaches from the trailer can increase the risk of injury or crash.

The fix. Dealers will test the windows and replace, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2023. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-349.

Campaign 22V932000. See it on NHTSA

Oven/stove/cooktop · model years 2021 to 2022 · 22V595000, filed August 8, 2022

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Basecamp, Bambi, Atlas, Interstate, and Interstate 19 travel trailers equipped with certain 2-burner cooktops. The burner control valves may become damaged, causing a gas leak.

What can happen. A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the cooktop, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 22V595000. See it on NHTSA

Air conditioner · model years 2017 to 2020 · 21V195000, filed March 19, 2021

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Basecamp travel trailers. The mounting bolts that secure the air conditioner to the roof may loosen or break, allowing the air conditioner to separate from the trailer.

What can happen. A separated air conditioner can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix. Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning mounting bolts are secure and replace if necessary, as well as install additional foam support blocks, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2021. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 21V195000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our the roof air conditioner manual.

Tires · model year 2021 · 20V577000, filed September 23, 2020

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2021 Basecamp 16 trailers. The information printed on the Federal Certification and Tire Placard is 255/55R18 - 50 PSI, when the correct information is ST225/75R15E - 80 PSI. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims" and 567, "Certification.

What can happen. If inflated per printed information the tires could be underinflated, which can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix. Airstream will notify owners, and dealers and will install corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 20V577000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our tires, wheels and bearings manual.

Glass, side/rear · model years 2017 to 2018 · 20V349000, filed June 12, 2020

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Basecamp travel trailers. The adhesive bond between the glass and the metal frame of the entry door window may fail, allowing the glass to separate while the trailer is moving.

What can happen. If the window glass detaches while the vehicle is moving it could become a projectile, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

The fix. Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the windows for proper adhesive bond strength, replacing the windows as necessary and installing updated adhesive strips to all windows, free of charge. This recall began August 3, 2020. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111, extension 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 20V349000. See it on NHTSA

Trailer hitches · model year 2020 · 19V753000, filed October 21, 2019

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Sport, Nest, Flying Cloud, International Serenity, International Signature, Classic, Globetrotter and Tommy Bahama trailers and 2020 Basecamp, Bambi and Caravel trailers. Due to improper welding, the Demco ball coupler installed on the travel trailers may not provide enough clamping force on the tow ball, potentially causing the coupler to separate from the tow ball.

What can happen. If the coupler separates from the tow ball, the trailer can detach from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Airstream will notify owners, and will send a temporary use adaptor that can be slipped over the ball portion of the coupler to allow owners to tow their trailers. For the final remedy, dealers will add a shim plate to the backside of the ball coupler clamp to put it in position to apply the required clamping force on the tow ball, free of charge. The recall began November 13, 2019. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 extension 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 19V753000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our hitching a trailer manual.

Labels · model years 2017 to 2020 · 19V397000, filed May 24, 2019

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Basecamp trailers. The Tire Placard is lacking the trailer's spare tire information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selections and Rims."

What can happen. The lack of information on the Tire Placard may lead an owner to unintentionally install the wrong size spare tire, affecting the vehicle control and handling, increasing the risk of crash.

The fix. Airstream will notify owners, and will provide corrected labels, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 23, 2019. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 extension 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 19V397000. See it on NHTSA

Labels · model year 2019 · 19V024000, filed January 3, 2019

What is wrong. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2019 Airstream Basecamp X recreational vehicles. The Federal Certification Label and Tire Placard may have incorrect information stating that the vehicle is equipped with 235/55R18 Load Range D tires needing 80 psi, when the vehicles are actually equipped with 235/75R15 Load Range D tires needing 51 psi. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

What can happen. If the information is incorrect, the operator may overinflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Airstream has notified owners and will send them a new corrected Federal Certification Label and Tire Placard, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2019. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 extension 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 19V024000. See it on NHTSA

Non-powered axle assembly · model year 2017 · 17V155000, filed March 9, 2017

What is wrong. Airstream Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2017 Base Camp recreational trailers. When the trailer is heavily loaded, the axle travel may allow the tires on these vehicles to contact the plastic liner of the wheel well or fender, possibly resulting in tire failure.

What can happen. Tire failure can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix. Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will replace the axle to limit the axle travel, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-937-596-6111, extension 7401 or 7411.

Campaign 17V155000. See it on NHTSA

Check your own rig. Put your VIN into the NHTSA recall lookup. It shows any open recall on that exact rig, including the chassis.

Questions owners ask

Where can I find the Airstream Basecamp owner's manual?

Airstream keeps its owner's manuals online. Look up your model year there. Our free manuals on this page explain how each system works.

Does the Airstream Basecamp have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 14 recalls for it. The most common area is labels. Check your own VIN on the NHTSA site to see if yours was fixed.

Is a recall repair free on a used RV?

Yes. A safety recall is fixed free by the maker's dealers no matter who owns the rig now or how old it is. Call the maker or any dealer for that brand with your VIN.

Where is the VIN on an RV?

Look for a sticker by the entry door, inside a cabinet near the door, or on the tongue or front frame of a trailer. The title and registration show it too.

Renting one from us? Call or text 909-259-RVDR before you try a fix. We would rather talk you through it than have you guess, and it is free.

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