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mocus · 11-13-2015, 07:35 AM

When we returned from last trip, I opened the door and cabinet on left had its door hanging from one hinge(no structural damage). In the past, I have found pillows, and about 5 rivet heads on floor and replaced rivets in various spots on ceiling. My tow/trailer, 2012 Tundra and 2006 19' Bambi-Safari, SE.

Carlisle tires at 65lbs, 15" (new)
Equal-izer hitch, trailer/truck level
Normal camping equip (nothing heavy)
60 mph plus/- a few.

I am taking trailer in for pressure test and floor rot inspection the end of this month to the dealer near Fredricksburg , Va on rt95. Before I tow another couple hundred miles, and replace door, can anyone see the obviously wrong setup? Thanks for any info. Tom

FishinHatteras · 11-13-2015, 07:40 AM

Did they balance the tires when they installed them? That would be the very first thing to inspect IMHO. If they did, did you lose a weight? Do you see any places on the rims that are clean where a weight should be/was?

55AS · 11-13-2015, 07:49 AM

Several tire shops have told me "we don't balance trailer tires". They will do it only if you insist. I always insist.

J. Morgan · 11-13-2015, 08:02 AM

It seems to me that 65 PSI might be a bit too much air for a Bambi.

A car of the same weight would probably run 35 or 40 no?

Brevi tempore!

55AS · 11-13-2015, 08:11 AM

This one:
ST205/75R15 Carlisle Radial Trailer Tire LR D 2,150 lb Capacity
Calls for 65psi at a load rating of 2150 lbs.

nrgtrakr · 11-13-2015, 08:30 AM

Wheel balance, bent rim, bad shocks ...

dkottum · 11-13-2015, 08:36 AM

We started with an Equal-I-Zer hitch on our 20 and moved it to our new 25. Pillows, cushions were getting tossed around so on Inland Andy's and Andrew Thomson's advice (both long time Airstream shops) we switched to a hitch with round tapered weight distribution bars. Nothing gets tossed around. She leaves a box of Kleenex on a side shelf and it does not fall off (with the exception of a couple of incredibly rough roadways). Our recliner chairs just sit in place during travel and never move.

Wheel balance is important, be sure the tires are not out of round. If that doesn't help you might take a look at flexibility of the w.d. bars.

The Ice Man · 11-13-2015, 10:45 AM

You might try Centramatics: Inland RV Center - The Nations Leading Expert in Airstream Innovations
We used to have all pillows on the floor and drawers open. Installed Centramatics and we're at 15,000 miles with almost No Problems.

J. Morgan · 11-13-2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BambiTex

This one:
ST205/75R15 Carlisle Radial Trailer Tire LR D 2,150 lb Capacity
Calls for 65psi at a load rating of 2150 lbs.

Each....

Do the back two wheels of your trailer weigh 4,300 pounds?

Brevi tempore!

mocus · 11-13-2015, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Each....

Do the back two wheels of your trailer weigh 4,300 pounds?

Brevi tempore!

Only have the 2 tires. I think weight to be 4500. Tires call for 65 but will consider reducing if that could be problem. Thanks

mocus · 11-13-2015, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishinHatteras

Did they balance the tires when they installed them? That would be the very first thing to inspect IMHO. If they did, did you lose a weight? Do you see any places on the rims that are clean where a weight should be/was?

Good suggestion, didn't think of that of a loss. Tires were balanced. Thank you

mocus · 11-13-2015, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BambiTex

Several tire shops have told me "we don't balance trailer tires". They will do it only if you insist. I always insist.

Me too also. Thanks

mocus · 11-13-2015, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BambiTex

This one:
ST205/75R15 Carlisle Radial Trailer Tire LR D 2,150 lb Capacity
Calls for 65psi at a load rating of 2150 lbs.

I knew I was doing it for some reason. Thanks for letting me see it again

mocus · 11-13-2015, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrgtrakr

Wheel balance, bent rim, bad shocks ...

This gal doesn't have 10000 on her but it is a possibility. Will check them. Thanks for suggestion

mocus · 11-13-2015, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

We started with an Equal-I-Zer hitch on our 20 and moved it to our new 25. Pillows, cushions were getting tossed around so on Inland Andy's and Andrew Thomson's advice (both long time Airstream shops) we switched to a hitch with round tapered weight distribution bars. Nothing gets tossed around. She leaves a box of Kleenex on a side shelf and it does not fall off (with the exception of a couple of incredibly rough roadways). Our recliner chairs just sit in place during travel and never move.

Wheel balance is important, be sure the tires are not out of round. If that doesn't help you might take a look at flexibility of the w.d. bars.

Darn good suggestions......
If necessary, will do. However, it would have to wait until after my $$$$ trip to the dealer at the end of the month. Who knows, I my have to sell her to pay the bill. I know there is floor rot, but how much??? Recliners....my dream. Maybe someday. We do not anticipate any dry camping, and I had couch and water tank out last year to see how much room I would have. I thought I would check with the dealer re possibilities. Thanks

mocus · 11-13-2015, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Ice Man

You might try Centramatics: Inland RV Center - The Nations Leading Expert in Airstream Innovations
We used to have all pillows on the floor and drawers open. Installed Centramatics and we're at 15,000 miles with almost No Problems.

I like Inland also. They do all of us some good. Thanks

cwf · 11-13-2015, 08:31 PM

You know it is vibration or violent movement.

Try putting a wireless camera inside to record... Or put your cell phone in a strategic location then Drive around.

Tim A. · 11-13-2015, 10:19 PM

If our 2002 19' Bambi is any guide, 65lbs. pressure in the tires is normal and was recommended for our trailer by Airstream. Because of load carrying capacity with a single axle trailer, reducing that is probably a bad idea.

We have used Centramatics with balanced tires for many years and our Hensley hitch has tapered bars. Despite all, our California roads can sometimes shake things around. Drawers and doors stay closed, but the hinges of the cabinet door to the left of the entry door would eventually loosen up. I solved that this last year by putting plastic bumpers on the inside of the door so that they rested on the shelves when the door was closed. Works great.

We do have a small vacuum which likes to wander around, but then it is sort of precariously perched. After having driven for a while, it commonly greets us when we open the Airstream's door. It does not harm, so we haven't bothered to tie it down.

Tim

Cardinal283 · 11-13-2015, 11:19 PM

Mocus, the tires do not call for 65. What is printed on the tire is simply the maximum pressure that tire can handle. You need to determine the weight of your trailer and find a tire chart for your tires to determine the proper inflation. Think of it this way... Carlisle makes the tire but has no idea what the final application is going to be. It's up to the vehicle manufacturer (or in this case you) to determine proper inflation based on load. At 65 PSI per tire that's 4200lbs of load those tire can carry. That's almost what my 26' Overlander weighs with 2 axles to carry the weight. Obviously check the balance, but based on the current information I would try adjusting the tire pressure based on the weight of your trailer.

Tim A. · 11-14-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardinal283

At 65 PSI per tire that's 4200lbs of load those tire can carry. That's almost what my 26' Overlander weighs with 2 axles to carry the weight. Obviously check the balance, but based on the current information I would try adjusting the tire pressure based on the weight of your trailer.

The GVWR of our 2002 19' Safari Bambi is 4500 pounds. I think it should be clear why Airstream recommends a tire pressure of 65 psi for these single axle trailers.

Tim