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aviontt · 08-25-2003, 12:57 PM

Thinking about a 1973 31' Excella wondering about sag or rot where to find this rot what to look for it's a rear bath model so I've herd stories also what is the dry weight.....Thanks, Jeff

Silvertwinky · 08-25-2003, 01:05 PM

Jeff,

Some rear bath models had problems with sagging. I think the older models will have more rot in the floor due to age and the possibility of leaks over time. You may want to do a search from the main page on sagging, sags, floor rot, etc. There is a lot of information on here that I'm sure you would benefit from.

Welcome to the forums!

aviontt · 08-25-2003, 04:55 PM

The big deal is travel time this unit is 6.5 hours away...But then I guess sometimes thats the way it goes. Jeff

garry · 08-25-2003, 05:16 PM

Floor rot is most common around the door and in the bath around the tolit.
You can check for it with an ice pick or press down hard with your foot and look for movement.
Rear sag is most common with the rear bath units. Step on the rear storage area(bumper) and look for any movement at the body and bumper. Also look for buckling just behind the rear wheel.
Lots of info in other threads and worth looking it up. The damage is repairable but not without cost.
Good luck.

Garry

Fun-Lovin · 08-25-2003, 07:41 PM

I used the rear bumper method and was unable to detect anything but it was evident from inside starting at the rear axles.
Called Airstream the other day and they make kits to strenghten the frame. They told me the cost of kit and repairs run approx $1000. I should be picking up a frame kit friday and can give you more details about the process of installing it then.

Good luck, and Hopefully its not sagging,
Greg

thenewkid64 · 08-25-2003, 07:58 PM

I think you are lumping two problems into one here.

There is rear end sag, causing the floor to run downhill rearward of the wheels and then there is rear end separation where the shell is no longer attached to the frame at the rear.

Doing the stand on the bumper trick looks for rear end separation. If the gap between the top of the bumper and the lower edge of the shell expand you have separation, if not you have dodged a bullet.

Rear end sag is usually evident by the skin being excessively wavy aft of the rear wheels or the floor having that downhill attitude. Sometimes you can see the frame in the wheel well where it is bent.

Two completely different problems and one does not typically lead to the other.

Inland RV Center, In · 08-26-2003, 08:36 AM

The "frame kit" stiffens the frame at the axles, period.

It does not correct rear end separation, nor will it prevent it.

Those are entirely two different problems.

We will post shortly, another article in our web site, along with photos, that will clearly show the result of improper and/or no wheel balance, coupled with bad axles, and the wrong shocks (automotive).

Frame and axle mounting plate failure, "BIG TIME."

Expensive to fix, "BIG TIME'"

Andy

JPAIRSTREAM · 08-26-2003, 04:52 PM

I personally have had the the frame reinforcment kit installed (helped the guys do this) and have also done the rear end seperation myself. The frame kit was installed due to the bow at the axle area on both sides.

I however believe that if the frame is bending that is is also putting more of a downforce onto the rear end. This causing the read end to seperate at a faster rate. I agree that the frame kit will not stop the rear end seperation from occuring. However if you have the frame bowing it would cause the back end to seperate faster due to the downforce from the bending.

The rear end is seperating due to the extra weight of the rear bath.

Inland RV Center, In · 08-27-2003, 11:20 AM

What was bowing?

Andy

Fun-Lovin · 08-27-2003, 11:36 AM

Bowing like a bow and arrow. Thats exacly what mine looks like.
Fortunatly no rear end seperation.

Greg

Inland RV Center, In · 08-27-2003, 01:02 PM

Greg.

The axles are "designed" to bow in the middle, or between the frame.

That is how the axle is aligned.

Andy

Fun-Lovin · 08-27-2003, 02:20 PM

JPAIRSTREAM "The frame kit was installed due to the bow at the axle area on both sides. "

I have the same bow or bend in mine of the frame at the axles.

Picking up the frame stiffening kit friday. Soon she will be all better.

Greg

JPAIRSTREAM · 08-27-2003, 03:22 PM

between the two axles. the frame bent...it was no longer straight.. so when we lifted the chasssis up at both front and back end to level the chassis almost 95% of the bow came out between the axles..

I may be looking at this wrong but if you have your front on your jack post and nothign to support the weight at the rear wouldn't that cause it to sag more in the rear? causing the possible wrinking or bow in the frame rail?

Andy:

Not the bow in the axle but the frame rail

Fun-Lovin · 08-27-2003, 03:56 PM

It looks like I have the same problem you had. "bent frame" It makes sence that if you dont support the rear end even when not in use after time it would bend some. Were you able to get the other 5% of your bend out?

Greg