Re: [A/S] Popping Rivets?

["Andrew Rogozinski" <andyrogozinski@xxxxxxxxx>]

Kevin.

Rivet heads do not pop, unless the trailer is in motion.

The simple cause is vibration.

Stop the vibration, and the problem stops.

Additionally, some rivets can shear on the front hold down plate.

That "ONLY" happens, when a heavy duty tow vehicle is used, that has 
overloads springs on it, and/or torsion bars that are far to heavy 
for the job.

The rule of thumb is easy.

Use a 22 foot single axle and a 31 foot tamdem axle as an example.

Standard older type car as a tow vehicle, would use a 1000 pound 
rated bar. Never a 1200 pound bar.

A half ton truck, with no overloads would use a 750 pound rated bar.

A 3/4 ton truck, without overloads would use a 550 pound bar.

When you add the overloads, you defeat the purpose of the bars, as it 
make it very difficult to move any weight from the tongue of the 
trailer.

Therefore if you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, or a tow vehicle with 
overload springs, considerable and excessive road shock is transfered 
to the front hold down plate. That will shear those rivets very 
quickly, as well as those inside, especially at the entrance door and 
ceiling areas.

Additionally, if the trailers running gear is not "properly balanced"
and you have the heavy duty everything, rivets will shear evertime 
you make a trip.

This information was gathered from a research project that I did for 
Caravanner Insurance Company, some 35 years ago. That data 
proved, "beyond any doubt" what caused rivet shearing, fatigue cracks 
in the shell, fatigue cracks in the steel frame and axle mounting 
plates, A-frame failures, and, contrary to some opinions, the dreaded 
rear end separation. It also caused copper tubing fatigue cracks, 
broken wires, Air Conditioner copper tubing failues, spitting 
furniture out in the aisle, broken oven doors, refrigerators doors 
falling off, punching the galley bulkheads through the ceiling etc.

The list goes on and on.

For the benefit for those who disagree, do the study yourself. But 
you must use several different lengths of Airstream trailers, several 
different years of trailers, several different tow vehicles, equpped 
in all the variations possible, and, expose them to at least 2500 
miles of towing.

Until that research effort is made in it's entirety, any and all 
other data or information will all lack a sound basis or foundation.
Individual, single cases of exceptions, in this case, are exactly 
that, and don't materially contribute any useful information for the 
masses.

Andy
Inland RV Center, Inc.