Re: [A/S] "Beatrice Airstreams"

[Roy Lashway <rlashway@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I am certainly no historical authority on A/S production but it is my 
view that the worst engineering/const. problem of airstreams existed in 
1972 and few  years following  when the rear liquid tank storage was 
installed without awarness of the stress placed on the frame.  Thus a 
number of trailers suffered from  rear end sag,  particularly those with 
rear bathrooms. The frame apparently  bends from the axle on back. 
Airstream service bulletin #29 deals with fix on rear end sag. This fix 
is a relative expense one, up to $2000 if have been seen quoted.  If 
looking at a trailer of this vintage check for appearance of space 
between chassis and the rear bumber housing.  Also grasp the bumper and 
pull it up and down and if it moves appreciably without the chassis 
moving that indicates a pssible  problem.  You may also see some metal 
bending  outward on the exterior metal sheeting near the wheel well but 
outs.  Inside  look for  possible separation between vertical wall panels 
and the interior skin of trailer,  particurlarly noticeable at the top of 
panels.

 Another problem from 1968-72 was "frame separation"" where body became 
disconnected from frame, often due to some brackets  at the rear  that 
connected body to the frame were rusting out.   A/S service bulletin #1 
deals with fix on frame separation and it refers to "Shell to Chassis 
Separtion, 1968-1972 but also later references it applys to frame 
separation 1968 and prior models.  If looking at a trailer of this 
vintage check for appearance of space between chassis and the rear bumber 
housing.  You may  also grasp the bumper and pull it up and down and if 
it moves appreciably without the chassis moving might  indicate a 
problem.   You may also see some metal bending  outward on the exterior 
metal sheeting near the wheel well but outs or just behind it.

Roy Lashway
'78 Argosy,'56 Bubble
WBCCI 1610     VAC
rlashway@zianet.com
web site: www.zianet.com/rlashway
   (polishing report included)