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06-17-2003, 11:50 AM
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#1
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BDBLUEGRASS
1975 31' Sovereign
HEBER SPRINGS
, Arkansas
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 56
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tilting floor
I have a 1976 26ft argosy with rear bath. W hen leveling the trailer I discovered the back half of the floor tilts downward toward the bath. Everything seems to be solid (no floor squeaks or soft spots). Is this a common problem with this model trailer? If so, what should I do about it? Maybe someone out there can help me solve this problem.
Thanks
Billy
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06-30-2003, 03:30 PM
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#2
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2
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Hi Billy,
I have identical Argosy and also have the tilting floor. Hopefully someone can help us with this annoying problem. I'm just wondering if the back could use a couple of scissor jacks to help lift the back bath??
Karen
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06-30-2003, 06:09 PM
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#3
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BDBLUEGRASS
1975 31' Sovereign
HEBER SPRINGS
, Arkansas
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 56
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Tilting Floor
Hi Karen
Thanks for the reply. My Argosy has built in stabilizers. They do nothing for the tilting floor. The floor is level fron side to side just tilts from center of trailer to the rear. H ow long have you owned your trailer? I would like to hear from some of the other Argosy owners and see if this is a common problem or if it is a problem at all.
thanks Billy
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06-30-2003, 06:51 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1959 22' Caravanner
Atlanta
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,197
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It's rear end Sag. There are a bunch of posts. I did a search with "Sag" and came up with a few pages of hits. If that link doesn't work hit the search button top right and use "Sag" as the key word.
It's not a good thing. Several thoughts as to what causes. Andy, Our resident Airstream dealer/ Service center, feels that the biggest cause is wheel ballance issues. Some feel its partly to do with too much weight in the rear of the vehicle while towing.
__________________
1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
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06-30-2003, 07:09 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,710
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tilting floor
Greetings Billy and Karen!
My '64 Overlander (26') had about an 1/8" difference between the axles and the rear, but it wasn't sag or droop; rather it was separation caused by 40 years of bouncing down the highway with a rear bumper mounted spare tire carrier. This was identified by the fact that the bumper could be moved independently of the body - - when I sat on the bumper, the bumper would move down about an 1/8", but the body of the coach did not move. The repair was to add suspenders between the rear of the body and the rear frame members - - this was a repair handled by my Airstream dealer at a cost of about $1,250.
If I understand my dealer's explanation, the problem could have been either droop/sag or separation. There is usually also some skin damage just to the rear of the axles when droop/sag is the problem.
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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06-30-2003, 08:29 PM
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#6
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BDBLUEGRASS
1975 31' Sovereign
HEBER SPRINGS
, Arkansas
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 56
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TILTING FLOOR
KAREN
CHECK OUT THE POST ARGOSY FLOOR. THERE IS INTERESTING INFO THERE ALSO
GOOD LUCK
BILLY
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06-30-2003, 09:28 PM
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#7
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2
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Thank you all for your help and info. I will check out everything recommended.
Take care,
Karen
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07-01-2003, 03:35 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
South Shore
, Kentucky
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 537
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[QUOTE]If I understand my dealer's explanation, the problem could have been either droop/sag or separation. There is usually also some skin damage just to the rear of the axles when droop/sag is the problem. [QUOTE]
Oh my!
You're scaring me now!
When I purchased our most recent A/S (1983 Excella 31') I noticed what looked like a slight ripple in the skin just behind the axles. I've replaced the carpet and the floor seems to be very solid and level. However, on the other side of the coach there has been some damage from the shower but not enough to justify removing the bath for repair. I've always been concerned somewhat with the ripple I see but I finally decided to just not worry about it. I've owned the trailer for about 2 years and it doesn't seem to be a problem. I can't tell that there is any kind of drop in the floor either.
__________________
Visit our church on the web!
"A safe camper is a Happy Camper"
Bill & Donna
Air Forums Member # 2360
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07-01-2003, 05:16 AM
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#9
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,760
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Tail droop
I believe that I have read that tail droop was most common on longer rear-bath models built during the Beatrice Foods ownership of Airstream (1967-1979) as a result of relocating the tanks to the rear of the coach. The structure wasn't stiff enough to carry the weight of full tanks cantilevered that far out from the axles causing the structure to sag in the rear. It is also accompanied by skin ripples, usually near the rear axle.
The condition can be repaired by an Airstream dealer for around $2k as I recall. It involves stiffening the frame and reinforcing the frame-body joints.
My best advice would be to contact a dealer to see what exactly is going on with your Argosy.
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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07-01-2003, 05:19 AM
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#10
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BDBLUEGRASS
1975 31' Sovereign
HEBER SPRINGS
, Arkansas
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 56
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TILTING FLOOR
THERE ARE NO RIPPLES IN THE SKIN OF THE COACH. IT APPEARS THE FLOOR HAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY FROM CENTER OF COACH BACK TO BATH AREA. I WILL START CHECKING THINGS OUT AND WILL LET YOU KNLW WHAT I FIND.
THANKS AGAIN
BILLY
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