Airstream assumes no responsibility for any issues arising from drilling holes into your Basecamp. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you read the complete instructions fully prior to installation. This is just an overview summary to help get you oriented. 

Summary (Full Instructions Below)

1. Place temporary velcro on window in middle, top and bottom, and one strip each on left and right sides. This is just to hold the cover on the window for alignment and positioning.
2. Mark snap placement on window framing and install screw snaps. Please read directions thoroughly for this step, so that snaps are placed correctly, and no window damage occurs.
3. Mark window frame snap locations on cover for placement of snaps in the fabric. Use needle pin snaps (provided) to easily mark snap installation locations.
4. Install only the 2 center snaps first, one top and one bottom. Reinstall cover onto window to help with placement of the next snaps that you will install.
5. Work out from the center evenly, left and right, until you get to the end. Take your time to double check everything as you are making marks and installing the next set of snaps.
6. Remove temporary velcro from window. Install permanent velcro strip on plastic window covers at left and right ends.

Note: This is a summary only. We highly recommend you read the complete instructions to make sure you fully understand all directions to ensure proper installation.

Supplies + Hardware Included In Your Shipment

Full Screw-In Snap Instructions

For this installation, you will be installing snaps on the trailer and also on the cover. The cover comes with chalk markings to indicate approximate snap locations, but this is just a guideline – your actual snap locations may vary slightly depending on the exact locations of existing factory rivets in your window frame. There are 22 snaps on the Basecamp 16, and 26 snaps for the Basecamp 20.
The snaps on the trailer will be installed in the metal framing around the window, where factory rivets are already installed. 

Below is what your finished product will look like once installed

POSITION THE COVER

Step 1. Locate center on top and bottom of the center window frame. Install tape on the top and bottom of the window frame at this location. Make a line on the tape with a marker to indicate the exact center location. This will help with positioning the cover evenly.

Step 2. Install the provided temporary adhesive velcro on the window in the center, top and bottom, and one piece on each on left and right sides (see Figure 1 at the bottom). This velcro is only temporary and will be used to help hold the cover in place during the installation process. To avoid getting any adhesive residue from the velcro on the window, place blue painters tape on the window first (not provided), then place the velcro on top.

Place the cover up on the window. The velcro will temporarily hold the cover in place so you can position and re‐position as needed to refine the cover position and locate ideal snap locations. Position the cover so that it is centered over the window side to side and top to bottom. The label on the cover should be on top, and there is a stich line running down the center of the cover which you can use to help align it. How you position the cover now is how the cover will sit when it is fully installed. 

MARK AND INSTALL SCREW SNAPS ON TRAILER

Step 3. Once the cover is centered on the window, use the chalk markings on the cover as a guide for where to mark snap locations on the trailer, as described below. It is ok if your snap locations are slightly different than marked on the cover.

The snaps will be installed into the metal framing around the windows (see Figure 2 at the bottom).

MOST IMPORTANT is that the snaps on the trailer MUST be placed in line with existing factory rivets – not above or below them closer to the window (see Figure 2). Drilling higher or lower toward the window can damage or crack the window. Snaps should also be placed in between existing rivets ‐ they cannot overlap with existing rivets. They must screw in flat against the surface.

For each snap location, before drilling any holes, place a piece of tape on the trailer frame in the location where you plan to install the snap. Use a marker to place a dot exactly where you will drill – remember the drill holes in the window frame must be in line with existing factory rivets, not closer to the window.

The corner snaps on the driver’s side (the side opposite the trailer door) may end up very close to or even on the weld at the corner of the window. If the weld is relatively flat, it is ok to drill in the weld and install the snap on top of it – as long as the snap can be flat or close to flat on the surface. Otherwise, install the snap right before the weld.

Step 4. Install snaps on the trailer. Once drill locations are marked, you may remove the cover to install snaps on the trailer (DO NOT remove the temporary velcro yet). Only use the provided drill bit (9/64”).

Drill directly through the tape on the dot you marked. Once the hole is drilled, remove the tape, and use only a hand held screw driver to screw in the snaps (do not use a drill with a screw driver attachment). Do not over tighten screws. Over tightening screws can strip out the hole or break off the screw head. When the snap screw stops turning and is flush with the surface, you are done. For additional weather proofing, use red or blue Loctite on screw threads (not provided).

MARK AND INSTALL SNAPS ON COVER

Step 5. With all snaps installed on the trailer, put the cover back up on the window using the previously applied temporary adhesive velcro. Align the cover again so it is centered on the window side to side and top to bottom, and making sure it reaches all snap locations. Take your time on this step to adjust and examine all snap locations to make sure the cover reaches all snaps.

Your kit comes with 2 needle pin snaps. These are the female portion of the snap with a needle sticking out. These fasteners are placed on the male snaps you installed on the trailer, so the needle portion can be poked through the fabric, making a small hole exactly where the snap will be centered (see Figure 3) – you can mark the hole with a silver marker or chalk to make it easier to see. As described below, use these needle pin snaps as needed to check positioning and to mark exactly where to install snaps on the cover.

Step 6. Install the first 2 snaps on the cover – start with the 2 center snaps, top and bottom. With the cover in place, install the needle pin snaps in these 2 center locations on the trailer. Press the cover into the needle portion of the pin snap until it pokes through the fabric. This will make a small hole in the fabric which marks exactly where to install the snap. The hole may be difficult to see because of the stich line ‐ if so, mark the hole with a silver marker or piece of chalk (not provided). Remove the cover from the window to install the 2 snaps at the marked location as follows (NOTE: install only these 2 snaps at this time)

1. A piece of scrap fabric and 3 extra snaps are provided so you can practice snap installation before proceeding on the actual cover.
2. Use the provided drill bit (9/64”) or a 1/8” hole punch (available at any hardware store) to make a hole in the cover at the marked location
3. The snap you will install on the cover has two parts – the rounded “button”, which will be on the outside of the cover, and the “socket” which will face the trailer.
4. Follow the illustration on the card that accompanies the snap installation tool, and/or view the video, to install the snap into the hole you just created in the fabric. You will need a hammer. Be sure to use the installation tool on a hard surface such as a concrete driveway or sturdy work bench. If you hammer on a soft surface, such as grass or a fold‐up table, the snap may not install. You will know the snap is properly installed if you grasp the socket and try to twist it – it should not twist easily.

Step 7. Remove the needle pin snaps from the trailer to use them in the next installation locations. See Figure 3.

Step 8. With the first 2 snaps installed on the cover, put the cover back up on the trailer, securing the completed snaps in place on the trailer. Again, use the temporary adhesive velcro to position the rest of the cover appropriately. Install the needle pin snaps to the next snaps out from center, 1 top and 1 bottom. Next, install the top and bottom snaps on the other side of center. Continue installing snaps, 2 at a time, working from the center out, evenly left and right, until you get to the end. After each installation, return the cover to the trailer and snap in place before marking the next installation locations. Double check remaining snap locations as you go to make sure everything is lining up correctly.

Once all snaps are installed, remove the adhesive velcro from the windows. If you did not apply painters tape under the velcro, any remaining adhesive residue can be removed with rubbing alcohol or any adhesive remover. If any chalk marks remain visible on the cover, they can be removed by wiping with a wet cloth.

Step 9. The last step is to install the permanent velcro on the plastic piece at the edge of the window, where the cover ends. There is a corresponding piece of velcro sewn onto the cover. Clean the surface well with the alcohol pads supplied. Press the adhesive velcro firmly in place so that it will mate with the velcro sewn onto the cover. The permanent velcro will take 24 hours to develop full adhesion, or longer if it’s cold. Be very careful removing the cover from the velcro right away because adhesive will not be fully cured yet.

Figure 1

Figure 2

The snaps in the metal window frame should be placed in line with and in between existing factory rivets. DO NOT drill closer to the window that the factory rivets, as this may damage the window.

Figure 3

Use the snap positioners to help mark exactly where to place the snaps on the cover