Re: [VACList] frame strengthening

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jo Ann, 

As far as I'm concerned, the year of trailer is not the criteria. Instead, I
use a simple, matter of fact approach. Any Airstream with a lot of weight
near the back wall is a good candidate.  How much weight you ask.

We met one Airstreamer with the center bath who stored his weight lifting
equipment under the back beds because that was where they would fit most
easily. I decided he must have been one of those who slept during his high
school physics class. He and the guy with a back bath who travels with his
holding tanks full are probably the best of buddies.  Maybe they never
learned anything while riding a see-saw on the playground.

As an aside, there are Airstreams on the road which were built in the 70's,
have a back bathroom and have never had a problem with frame separation or a
need for frame strengthening. Obviously, I have not systematically asked
each of those owners if they drove with their holding tanks full, but I'd
wager their answer would be a resounding "NO." And, if I asked them why not,
they'd be able to tell me in no uncertain terms.

If you stand on your bumper, bounce the trailer and see the shell parting
(1/4" or more) along the rear bumper lid, it's time for planning to solve a
real problem. This isn't one of those that will self correct if you do
nothing (none ever are).

To my way of thinking, more insight can be gained from recognizing a little
bit of specific practical reality than from a generalization, i.e. year of
manufacture, location of bathroom.

Instead (IMHO), the sort of awareness I'm describing requires a large
helping of attentiveness (vigilance?) for details AND >>> to think about
what's occurring when I'm not looking.  This isn't everyone's cup of tea.
But as an Airstream owner, it can make the difference between catching a
problem while it is small or dealing with a problem after it is large and
demands my full attention -- and costs a lot of green and time.

Hope this helps. Remember, it's only an opinion - mine,

Terry

mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net