Frame Steel Alloy?

[judflor]

Does anybody know what alloy of steel is/was used for the frame?

[dkrukosky]

no but I was wondering the same thing????

[perryg114]

I expect mild carbon steel.

Perry

[judflor]

I was thinking it is probably mild carbon steel. The reason I am asking is that someone mentioned building a new frame out of stainless steel. I wanted to compare the properties of 304L stainless steel (which is used to make alot of shapes, i.e. c-channels, I-beams, etc) with the steel frame material. I may try to contact Airstream but not sure what kind of response I would get. 304L stainless steel shapes have a yield strength of 34,000 psi.

[perryg114]

Get you some 17-4 PH Stainless steel. Now that is some good stuff.

Perry

[judflor]

17-4 PH is very strong but I do not know if it is made into c-channels or I-beams. I use 17-4 at work and am familiar with it. I'll have to check to see if it is made into shapes.

[Kevin245]

Boatdoc built a stainless steel frame several years ago. Here is the thread started about his adventure.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...ame-29294.html

[themostream]

Anybody find out an answer? I'm needing to do some frame repair on my 73 sovereign and I am curious what thickness/composition will match the original metal.

[drboyd]

Find out what type of steel is used in the cheapest commercially available C-channels and you'll have your answer.

[sgschwend]

My view is that the steel used is OK, it is just too thin. It did last 30 years old as is. I upped the thickness to a point that I could sister the replacement parts easily. I used hot rolled steel.

I don't think it is not worth the price of SS or the specialized welding method. I purchased 20' length of 5X.187 and then cut the shapes I wanted. I needed to reworked the fender wells, and the rear frame. Took about 14'. It only added 44 pounds to the trailer. Should be good for at least 50 years, being that much thicker.