Saggy bottom blues

[amaelish]

I've read through the many, many posts dedicated to the rear end separation but am still unsure if my gal is suffering with the saggy bottom blues. Here is what i know:

- When walking inside the tennis ball I rolled down her center picked up speed after it passed the bathroom, about 2/3 of the way down trailer and right after the wheels. Basically the bedroom area in our model.

- When walking around and viewing pictures of her it seems like she sits pretty low to the ground and especially in the back. The rear bumper that comes out makes it difficult to tell if the frame is detached but from what I can tell from the tests suggestions for this (standing on the bumper and slightly jumping) that there is no separation.

- To my knowledge her 30 year old axles have never been replaced.

- She was from the south where it is humid and has never been gutted to check for frame rot or corrosion. I have checked her frame where I can access it and it is rusty but not bad.

Basically looking for any suggestions on what could be causing this - I've seen Andy post about axles possibly affecting the droop but I'm not clear on how to tell this on my own. Anyone have any other thoughts to what could be causing the backend to be lower and how to fix it?

Find photos here:

http://imgur.com/a/s2mLy

I can take better ones at different angles - let me know what you need .

[perryg114]

To check for rear end separation (end stage) get on the bumper and jump up and down. If the bumper moves relative to the trailer you got a problem. Mine passed this test but it still had some major problems.

Perry

[HiHoAgRV]

Grab an ice pick and try to poke thru the floor inside at the very, very rear. Separation is cause by rotten wood. My 34 fooled me, someone had installed a sheet of aluminum over the rot. It felt ok until I pulled up the carpet and found it. The last several inches of wood was gone!

[cwf]

Amaelish...
That doesn't sound good... a quick ice pick check is where to start... wish best for you

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by amaelish

I've read through the many, many posts dedicated to the rear end separation but am still unsure if my gal is suffering with the saggy bottom blues. Here is what i know:

- When walking inside the tennis ball I rolled down her center picked up speed after it passed the bathroom, about 2/3 of the way down trailer and right after the wheels. Basically the bedroom area in our model.

- When walking around and viewing pictures of her it seems like she sits pretty low to the ground and especially in the back. The rear bumper that comes out makes it difficult to tell if the frame is detached but from what I can tell from the tests suggestions for this (standing on the bumper and slightly jumping) that there is no separation.

- To my knowledge her 30 year old axles have never been replaced.

- She was from the south where it is humid and has never been gutted to check for frame rot or corrosion. I have checked her frame where I can access it and it is rusty but not bad.

Basically looking for any suggestions on what could be causing this - I've seen Andy post about axles possibly affecting the droop but I'm not clear on how to tell this on my own. Anyone have any other thoughts to what could be causing the backend to be lower and how to fix it?

Find photos here:

http://imgur.com/a/s2mLy

I can take better ones at different angles - let me know what you need .

From your description I would say you do not have rear separation.

But... all of those photo's have the rear stabilizer jacks down, so it is hard to see any issue. Did you have the jacks down when you did the bouncing on the bumper test? If they were down, do it over with the jacks up. You watch fore movement, let someone else do the bouncing.

Actually looking at that side view photo, the trailer looks to be in fairly good condition. Think about the weight hanging out behind of the axles, probably more than a ton. There is even more weight in front of the axles. If you let the front jack down a bit, I am guessing that you will see that what you really have is a bow, not rear sag. Bowing of the frame/floor is not unusual in a 34' trailer, mine does too. My trailer has a over a 1" crown over the axles. I let the tongue down until the rear and front were level then used a piece of string pulled tight from front to back to get an idea of how much.

[cwf]

Our 34' also has a 'bow'.. I haven't measured.. but you can see he now due to a wrinkle / bubble in the long side ... she runs and lives just fine.

Check.. don't worry yet.

[cwf]

Side shot. Look at the wrinkle in the panel over rear wheel...

These trailers flex,, that is normal.. deep breath

[amaelish]

Thanks everyone! Still breathing I did the test with the jacks off so I think that you are right about the bowing. The rear end floor had previously (about 6 months ago) been inspected and replaced where the subfloor had rotted so I know that the condition of that area is sound. Unfortunate for her she had to travel up a *very* bumpy, curvy and, at the last point, a severe incline where her bottom dragged along the ground for about 4 feet. It was like a video game from hell getting her to her resting spot while we fixed her up. And once all ready to be shined up.. we will need to do it again.

We are going to be looking at the axles next to see if we should replace them using Andy's awesome article as a reference! Her bottoming out has me a bit concerned about the conditions of them and the shocks.

The thing is right now she is currently empty in the back as there had been a bunk bed setup for kids and we are making a queen bed. Fearful that this added weight may cause more strain. We will build as light as possible...

And thanks for all the replies! It's awesome hearing from other 34' owners as I think they are unique in some of their specialness and issues

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by cwf

Side shot. Look at the wrinkle in the panel over rear wheel... << snip>>

Channing,
I'm envious of the finish on your trailer. Mine was one of the last with the factory applied clear coat, and it is "balding/peeling" terribly.
Mine has those wrinkles in front and in rear of the axles, depending on how it setting.

add edit:
Did you do the change to the 50 amp yourself? Is there a thread/photos?

[sgschwend]

In the past I had a sawmill business and the mill had a 34' frame.

It was tricky to get the frame level, much like your trailer. In my experience the steel will take a bow and for me to control the straightness I would need to set level with the mill head over the axles and raise the six jacks to level (no jacks at the axles).

I would keep the back as light as possible for towing.

[perryg114]

Pull the flooring in the back and see what it looks like. That is where they go first. Also all 4 corners are a leak prone area where the straight walls meet the curved sections.

Perry

[amaelish]

Channing like at your shine! Hope we can get our girl polished up and looking half as good after all the interior work is done

[cwf]

Hey folks! Thanks for the kind word about the finish! I am third owner and the first two took really good care of the trailer.

It has a clear coat.. seems too. Be the plastic clear coat finish. There are up close blemishes...

The AS aluminum has NOT been polished.. just keeping a nice wax job.

Alan, here is 50AMP upgrade.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...in-106918.html