First off-a big rivit thank you to Lexxy who sacrificed her furnace motor to help out a fellow SAFARIER.It arrived today and I'll get it in just in time for a weekend trip to the lower Sierra's where it is bound to be nippy at night.Way to go Lexxy!!
On a recent tire inspection I found what appears to be a crack in the framerail behind the curbside wheel.It looks like it's been there awhile (prior to my aquisition).It doesn't look too serious but it goes from bottom to top and disappears as it's covered by the bellypan.I'm thinking this might be fatique from an unbalanced wheel/hub.The other side is o.k.,but I have always noticed a slight "droop' in the rear bath floor .The crack isn't buckled like one would expect to see if taildroop were the case.I did find paperwork that indicated some type of accident early in the coach's life where 2 rear segments were replaced with a request to "straighten the floor".The segments were the opposite side rear corner,but maybe this was related.
Anyone else had any cracks?/ideas?
__________________
Murray
AIR #189
"If aluminum isn't magnetic- why am I so attracted to to it?"
Not having seen it, could it already have a repair plate welded opposite the visible crack? On our 67 Safari, our bellypan removal to access that area was easy, but it is a real tight crawl to that area. Tough to get a welder in there!?! If you can get a welder to piggyback a plate over the crack, be sure that he welds the plate paralell (longways) and not vertical (the way I imagine the fracture aligns) Vertical welds may weaken the longitudinal support of the frame ( experienced welder explained this to me at harbor freight last week) Best of luck!!!
The repair plate sounds like a good idea.I'll have to get the bellypan down first and then get it over to the welder guy.he specializes in trailers of all sorts so I'm cofident he'll do it right.I was down to his shop yesterday and he actually has 2 Silverstreaks (the competition!) in for repairs.
__________________
Murray
AIR #189
"If aluminum isn't magnetic- why am I so attracted to to it?"
Hello Creampuff: While on a WBCCI Western Canada Caravan back in about '87 we pulled into the camping ground in Calvary, Canada (pouring rain) to discover the floor inside was like climbing a steep mountain. The frame had broken. Only one place in Calvary could weld it. I had to remove the aluminum skins, then back it onto two narrow rails over a pit. The welders Vee'd out the break and welded that. Then welded a steel plate over the break (reinforcing). We finished the caravan and have been to Alaska twice + it's still on the road -- A great little trailer!
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