Backend of trailer drooping

[airstrmkids]

Hello,

I have a 1969 Airstream and the backend of the trailer is drooping. I was looking under the backend and I noticed that the frame has been drooping. When I jack up the frame from behind the bumper the bumper raises.

I would like to know if anyone else has had this problem and if anyone has gotten the frame fixed to repair the drooping and how much it cost approximately.

Thanks!!!

[Minno]

Welcome! You have the dreaded "rear end separation" that is common with longer Airstreams, especially in the older set. If you do a search for the problem on these forums, you'll find a number of threads on ways to fix it. Unfortunately, none of them are exactly "fun", but are doable.
We did our own fixing, but we're doing an entire re-do of our trailer, which you probably don't want to do. Ours was primarily due to floor rot (as in there was literally no floor in the back of the trailer anymore). The trailers are built with the floor sandwiched in between the frame and the C channel holding the trailer walls. The fix involves reinforcing that area and marrying it back together.
An Airstream dealer can probably do the work for you, but I'm sorry I can't help you with cost.

Good Luck!
Kay

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by airstrmkids

Hello,

I have a 1969 Airstream and the backend of the trailer is drooping. I was looking under the backend and I noticed that the frame has been drooping. When I jack up the frame from behind the bumper the bumper raises.

I would like to know if anyone else has had this problem and if anyone has gotten the frame fixed to repair the drooping and how much it cost approximately.

Thanks!!!

Depending on the amount of rotten wood and how much of the frame and/or sheet metal may need replacing, the cost can vary from as little as $1000.00 to $4000.00.

If you have a dealer do it, make sure they know exactly what to do for a permanent fix, and not a "patch" job.

The proper repair can assure you, that the same problem will not reappear again.

Andy

[overlander64]

Greetings airstrmkids!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstream ownership!

Originally Posted by airstrmkids

Hello,

I have a 1969 Airstream and the backend of the trailer is drooping. I was looking under the backend and I noticed that the frame has been drooping. When I jack up the frame from behind the bumper the bumper raises.

I would like to know if anyone else has had this problem and if anyone has gotten the frame fixed to repair the drooping and how much it cost approximately.

Thanks!!!

I agree that you likely have rear end separation. When the bumper moves independent of the body, you have the primary indicator of rear end separation.

I experienced the same thing with my '64 Overlander and had it repaired at a shop not too very far from you. Ace Fogdall RV in Cedar Falls, IA performed the repair a little more than ten years ago and it continues to perform as intended. I believe that the repair was around $1,700 back then. Ace Fogdall RV was an Airstream dealer back then - - today, they are an authorized Airstream Repair Center.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin