1974 25' Tradewind
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Col. Station
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 162
New outriggers
Recieved four new outriggers today for my 74 TWind, and I have to say I'm a little disappointed. The new ones do not have the brace welded on the rear like the origional. I can't see how these new ones will be able to carry the same load as the old ones did. They will also be harder to weld in place with out the brace on the back side, at least for me they will be.
Has anyone tried to beef up the new outriggers before putting them in, or am I just being a little too anal?
I see the added bracket brace as scrap from their stamping shop reused to stiffen the fore-to-aft load capability, without the extra tab the main outrigger vertical weld might have enough movement (even sub-millimeter) to eventually weaken the weld through bending. The old outriggers and a hack saw - bench grinder may give enough donor pieces to duplicate the factory assembly...
__________________ The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
I get a few short pieces of angle iron, and weld one side of it to the outrigger, and the other to the frame of the trailer, then weld the outrigger to the frame.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
1974 25' Tradewind
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Col. Station
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 162
Thanks for the help. I'm working on it today. I did weld on a short piece of angle for the first one and I think that will work fine. I also left a 1/2" stub from the old outrigger welded in place. I can slip the new one up against it to help hold it when I weld the new one on.
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.