Gas Line Supports Falling Off

[gklott]

During our last departure check beneath the Classic, I found one of the LP gas line supports loose. The screw has falen out. The screws appear to be #10 which grip only to the metal bottom panel. See image for example.

I got a replacement #12 stainless at Home depot because the hole was now too large to allow a #10 to grip. I then crawled around beneath the trailer to check the other screws. They were ALL loose, and several of the brackets were about to come off. When tightening them, none would really tighten. There is just too little metal for the threads to bite.

Has anyone else experienced this problem with the gas line supports?

This would seem to be a serious safety issue. Am I being overly concerned?

73/gus

[Janets Husband]

Originally Posted by gklott

During our last departure check beneath the Classic, I found one of the LP gas line supports loose. The screw has falen out. The screws appear to be #10 which grip only to the metal bottom panel. See image for example.

I got a replacement #12 stainless at Home depot because the hole was now too large to allow a #10 to grip. I then crawled around beneath the trailer to check the other screws. They were ALL loose, and several of the brackets were about to come off. When tightening them, none would really tighten. There is just too little metal for the threads to bite.

Has anyone else experienced this problem with the gas line supports?

This would seem to be a serious safety issue. Am I being overly concerned?

73/gus

Yep, had it happen before I replumbed the whole line.
I guess with age we all lose parts.
I also replaced all of the clamps with rubber coated steel clamps,
and replaced all of the screws with stainless.
No problems since. I would reccommend you replace all the hardware.

[markdoane]

I like the 'old' method. Use a piece of scrap aluminum about 3" x 5", form it around the tubing. Use pop rivets, 3 on each side, to hold it to the belly skin.

[Janets Husband]

Originally Posted by markdoane

I like the 'old' method. Use a piece of scrap aluminum about 3" x 5", form it around the tubing. Use pop rivets, 3 on each side, to hold it to the belly skin.

Well Don, why didn't you say so before I went and did all the work.
No really, sounds like a great idea.
I can see that this might really be the way to go.
You should be able to form the aluminum to get a tight fit even at bends.
I like it, too bad I already did it with clamps.

[markdoane]

Peace,

Thats the way they did it back in '59. They were still holding when i took the pan off last year.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by markdoane

I like the 'old' method. Use a piece of scrap aluminum about 3" x 5", form it around the tubing. Use pop rivets, 3 on each side, to hold it to the belly skin....Thats the way they did it back in '59...

That's the 'ancient' method . By '67 Airstream switched to the 'old' method which consisted of a 3"X3" piece of scrap with one rivet on either side holding the tube to the skin.

Mine were still holding last year when I dropped the belly skin.

Tom