Re: [A/S] Type construction.

[openrx <openrx@xxxxxxxxx>]

hi andy
 
thanks for the quick reply. chris mentions the issue of slides; i intended 
to include that in my question about modern units but go so excited, i 
forgot.
 
i suspect that the slide models started life with 5 sections (top, ends, 
curbwall and floor) made just like the other units and with the same 
structural properties, but that the road wall and lower frame were beefed 
up for the slide. again this seems more like body on frame and less like 
even semi monocoque....or at least more 'semi er'....
 
i realize the skin still has some structural contribution....and a true 
monocoque has great shear and torsional stength but poor bending and little 
compression strength. this is partly why i connected my question to the 
bike rack post. on vintage trailers bending loads attached outside the 
trailer would seem to be risky as your experience tells us. i just wonder 
how it applies to newer units. i also wonder how many folks with rear 
separation had lots of stuff piled inside the rear but took it out before 
going to the trailer doctor?
 
vintage airstreams would seem to rely more on skin structural 
strength...the virtues of these trailers are.....light weight, high 
strength to weight ratio, open space without vertical beams and of course 
the beauty outside. but vintage airstreams were never meant to carry much 
or pull anything externally attached.
 
on the other airstream site someone posted recently that gvwr for late 2005 
models/2006 has increased by more than 1000lbs, while dry weight has 
actually decreased or stayed the same. the 30/31s are now rated at 
10,000lbs with a carrying capacity of 2500lbs or more. apparently they have 
increased the axle rating  to 5000lbs for each with a total of 10k.  i 
assume this is a real capacity increase and not just a 'rating' change. 
 
i can see how building each wall/roof/end cap module separately could be 
more efficient and even to a higher quality since the segment can be idealy 
positioned for the worker. so i understand why the factory might change 
construction methods.
 
i just wonder how much the skin contributes to overall strength now and if  
they beefed up the lower frames for this higher gvwr and the slides.
 
thanks again and i won't belabor this issue.
 
regards
openrx