 |
|
03-10-2011, 02:13 AM
|
#15
|
1 Rivet Member 
1975 25' Tradewind
Woodland
, California
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
|
tail dragging
Thanks for all the input. I'll be inspecting the axles when I next pick up the trailer. I do have some theoretical questions regarding rollers versus dragging the frame. I fail to see the difference between transferring the load via dragging vs. a pair of installed rollers. And, in fact, the rollers cross connected to the frame would tend to spread the load over the entire rear frame, rather than concentrating it at the drag point.
I cannot correct the driveway slope. It goes from level at the pavement intersection to about a 25 foot section of 6-8 degrees with a required dip right at the end of the driveway to prevent runoff onto the pavement. The transition is longer than the trailer, so grading will not alter the transition point. The trailer frame and tank outlet drag on the pavement going up and on the driveway exiting. I am going to build a couple of ramps and try them next time up. If I can lift the rear enough by getting the tires on the ramps with the rear of the trailer on the pavement, it might alter the angles enough to prevent dragging. I will also use a maximum drop hitch and just pull the jack. It's only three bolts and will give me another 2-3 inches of drop in the front
__________________
__________________
|
|
|
03-10-2011, 07:11 AM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master 
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,264
|
I still think take it to Andy and have him put new axles and 16 inch wheels on it. You would get the money back if you sold it and that would make it a very nice boondocking machine if you keep it.
__________________
__________________
|
|
|
04-25-2011, 12:22 PM
|
#17
|
1 Rivet Member 
1975 25' Tradewind
Woodland
, California
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
|
tail dragging redux
Picked up the AS in late March. Used a Six inch drop hitch w/o ez lift and cut across the slope to the pavement. Did not drag the rear, but just barely scraped the jack base on the dirt. This puts the waste line outlet on the high side of the slope and it cleared by about an inch. Have some minor repairs to do and will check the axle height again. When I checked it at pickup, it was 1/2" lower than stock specs.
The only real problem with this is it requires changing the hitch out on the road because there is no convenient pullout along the entire access road to my place.
__________________
|
|
|
04-25-2011, 01:41 PM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master 
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,730
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmclemore
patentguy, did you try the driveway without your WD bars?
Pat
|
That's what I was going to suggest too as I read thru this thread!
Easy enough to try if you haven't already, and may be all you need
Brian
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
|
|
|
04-25-2011, 02:07 PM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master 
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,941
|
I have been dropping my bars for 15 years whenever I back into my uphill driveway or any site that it looks to be a problem.
__________________
|
|
|
08-13-2014, 10:41 AM
|
#20
|
1 Rivet Member 
2001 27' Safari
Chamblee
, Georgia
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 6
|
So, I've already bent both skids (seriously) and wrinkled the rear quarter panels. After I stop crying, what next!!!
__________________
|
|
|
08-13-2014, 07:15 PM
|
#21
|
Rivet Master 
1977 31' Excella 500
West Sacramento
, California
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 536
|
Sell the house and move to flatter land...
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
__________________
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 01:37 AM
|
#22
|
Rivet Master 

1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,047
|
dragging on steep hills
I got sick of dragging my donkey at every little bump in the road and I raised my trailer up 3".
This made a big difference.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 01:40 AM
|
#23
|
Rivet Master 

1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,047
|
3" trailer lift.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
|
|
|
08-14-2014, 07:32 AM
|
#24
|
Rivet Master 
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,499
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan
|
Replacing torsion axles that have served their purpose with new ones, can easily raise the trailer 3 inches.
Andy
__________________
|
|
|
10-18-2014, 11:28 AM
|
#25
|
Rivet Master 
1972 31' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
felton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 576
|
what should the ground clearance be on my '72 sovereign 31'? i can check and see what the new axles would give, i have similar problem but the way my driveway slopes it wants to lift just one set of wheels about 6-8" off the ground .. new axles would probably help and then i could build a small ramp to left the rest ... determined not to waste $1200 / yr on rv storage .. + i want at home for handy access to start my repairs. + for the kids and friends to sleep in.
__________________
|
|
|
10-18-2014, 03:31 PM
|
#26
|
Rivet Master 
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,499
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickclifford
what should the ground clearance be on my '72 sovereign 31'? i can check and see what the new axles would give, i have similar problem but the way my driveway slopes it wants to lift just one set of wheels about 6-8" off the ground .. new axles would probably help and then i could build a small ramp to left the rest ... determined not to waste $1200 / yr on rv storage .. + i want at home for handy access to start my repairs. + for the kids and friends to sleep in.
|
New axles will raise your trailer about 3 inches.
Andy
__________________
|
|
|
07-31-2016, 03:37 PM
|
#27
|
Rivet Master 
1972 31' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
felton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 576
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by patentguy
I have the same problem with my driveway - too steep to either back or pull her up. I first tried backing up and the guards on the bottom of the bumper dug into my driveway (asphalt). Then I tried to pull her up and the tongue dug in. So when I tried to back it out - the guards under the bumper dug into my street  I did get it back onto the street, but not without leaving some divots.
I gave up and rent a spot at the local storage facility. Not my first choice, but I don't see a way (other than regrading my driveway) to get my silver swan onto my property.
Any thoughts on overcoming this without the need to redo my driveway are appreciated.
|
Did you ever find a solution ? I'm same boat ... kinda pissed off  Never considered buying a trailer back when i bought my house ... i just spent an hr farting around with wood ramps i knocked together and still dragged back end a couple of feet .... maybe I'm super paranoid about frame & body damage, she's a fragile old bird !
__________________
|
|
|
08-01-2016, 10:28 AM
|
#28
|
Rivet Master 

1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,047
|
I have a 72, I raised it 3" and I don't drag much anymore.
Gradiens super tenui glacie.
__________________
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
|
|
|
 |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|

Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|