Airstream, Ford, GM, or whoever, sell you a product, period.
How you use it, is up to you, the owner.
It's always the owner's responsibilty, to learn the if's, and's and but's.
That is part of what this Forum is all about, at least pertaining to Airstreaming.
If any owner wishes to take a different avenue about rigging, as an example, that is solely their choice.
There is an abundant number of posts, that state
when they reduced the rating of the torsion bars the rough ride stopped and the control improved.
The test is simple. When hooked up ready for travel, jump up and down on the coupler. That should make the coupler move vertically a couple of inches.
IF NOT your rigging is excessive, be it the torsion bar rating and/or the tow vehicle
Airstream and Argosy trailers are made to have a soft ride. Violate that, and your trailer
WILL experience damages, as well as not being adequately stable.
If any owner, wishes to disagree with that, that then is their business and loss of happy Airstreaming.
Many folks have stated what should be done, yet others all blame Airstream, because of their unwillingness to listen to "FACTS", not personal opinions.
Yes, even Reese will say the a large Airstream, based on their chart, should have a 1200 pound hitch.
The news is, that Reese, nor any other hitch manufacturer, has "EVER" repeat "EVER" tested their published suggestions, by using what they profess, on an Airstream.
Therefore the only conclusion that can be made, is until they do that, they are in no position to spec out any ratings for their hitches, for Airstreaming.
Loss of control accidents are caused over 80 percent of the time, by improper rigging and/or rear end suspension modifications. That is "FACT" based on extensive examinations and testing of over 1000 (one thousand) loss of control accidents, specifically when towing an Airstream or Argosy.
If you want to believe that, then fine. If you wish to "NOT" believe it, then the problem is all yours, no one elses.
An additional fact is that when an Airstream or Argosy trailer becomes damaged, other than from a "sudden, accidental and direct" cause, your insurance company will always decline coverage for long term damage.
Ignoring the facts, being stubborn, not listening to good advice, listening to a personal opinion that's wrong, is all a person's choices.
Blaming Airstream, is "NOT" the problem, nor the answer.
Hundreds of owners with new trailers are not having the "fatigue" problem, so why the few????
Ah yes, Airstream service departments love customers who damage their trailers, thru misuse. It's great for their bottom line.
Opinions are just that.
Facts are facts that can be demonstrated and proven, at least to those who choose to, for once, listen.
Physics are Physics. When they are violated, negative results step forward.
We all went to school to learn. I was always taught, that learning is a life long "good" thing to do.
Unfortunately, there are some that disagree with that, especially when it comes to Airstreaming.
And so it is.
Andy
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Say no to Lawrence Welk attitudes
Hi, you already have been given tons of information on causes and explanations of how and why Etc. Etc. Etc. So I will add a little more of my opinion. First off, Airstream has no business making square corners on something that flexes as much as these trailers do. I don't know about your deal/or dealer, but my dealer made the connections and hitch decissions when I was there to pick up my new trailer. If your tow vehicle is too, whatever, your dealer should have informed you. [heavy, light, weak, unsafe, under rated, over rated, wrong color Etc.] This goes for your hitch too if it wasn't part of your purchasing deal. [you brought your own hitch] Many of the things mentioned will accellerate the dammage of the square box, but the defect was built in. A square box frame would last longer if it were made from a single, seamless, billet, or one piece stamped out hardened Aluminum such as used on Aluminum body Grumman Olson trucks.
1994 F-350 Crew 7.3 IDI Turbo, C6, Dually
Hybrid Mode
