20' Safari... 1000 lb bars ok? what is ceiling stain??
Hi,
New member here. Own two year old 20' Safari. But, not new to RVs and trailers.
Hope posted this in correct area on this site. Bear with me.
Questions:
1. I am using the 1000 lb bars from my last heavier Holiday Rambler trailer on my 20ft Safari. Would dropping down the size of the bars help the "banging" around the trailer takes?
2. If so, what size drop down to? since most hitches are "idiot proof" meaning you cant use smaller rated items with wrong hitch etc. Will I have to purchase bars and receiver portion for my hitch as well?
If change to lower rated bars, will the lower rated bars fit in my hitch?
3. And, there is a stain developing on the ceiling area of the bathroom wall. Looks like black metalic stain -- like graphite of some sort. I suspect it is from the rubbing of two metal parts above the ceiling material or rubbing of a rivet in that area. Is this correct? If so, what is correction (if any)?
Hi, welcome to the forums. The 1000 pound bars are probably too heavy duty for your trailer, 750's would be a much better choice. The black stain is from aluminum moving, and could be made worse by the heavier bars you currently have. A picture of the stain would help the detectives here.
BTW, what kind of "truck" is your tow vehicle? That will also help as far as WD bar recommendations.
__________________
Terry "I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere, than any city" Steve McQueen
AIR#2611
My 2005 Bambi has the same issue. I was told by Jackson Center that it was caused by the panels flexing behind the fabric where they are joined by rivets. Their first suggestion was to vacuum it out. That only made it worse. If that's the case with your 2007, Terry is right about heavy bars increasing the problem.
For what it's worth, Airstream said it was covered by the warranty. My dealership apparently lacked the expertise to repair it, so it would have meant a trip to Ohio. I would have taken them up on it but at that stage, I had already had the trailer at the dealership awaiting repairs more than it was at home, and I just wanted to go camping. If you find a solution without involving an Airstream repair facility, please let me know.
We had 750's for our '03 22ft International and they were quite enough. We upsized to a Safari 27 FB SE earlier this year and still use the 750's. Rides and tows like a dream.
__________________
FordTruck
2005 F-150 5.4L Supercab 4X4 (Betsy 3)
2008 Safari 27FB SE (Arvin as in RV'ing)
2006 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic
Gee now I'm worried, I hope this is not a hijack. My trunnion stlye bars are not marked that I can see but I've been told they are #1000 pound bars. A 1999 1500 suburban and 71 23' safari with I think 400 pound tounge weight. Should I have 600 or 750's. Or how can I tell for sure what I have now. Robert
Gee now I'm worried, I hope this is not a hijack. My trunnion stlye bars are not marked that I can see but I've been told they are #1000 pound bars. A 1999 1500 suburban and 71 23' safari with I think 400 pound tounge weight. Should I have 600 or 750's. Or how can I tell for sure what I have now. Robert
Robert.
Measure the width of the bar, as it goes into the trunnion.
1" = 550 #
1 1/8" = 750 #
1 1/4" = 1000 #
You should be using 550 bars. 750 is ok, IFthey bend at least 1 inch, preferably 2 inches.
Many thanks for the information. By the way: I live close to the Jackson Center plant. Have notified Chris there about the developing stain on ceiling. He noted it and told me would be covered under warranty, even though by the time we get back such will be expired.
My hitch weight (per manual) is 600 lbs.
Tow vehicle is Dodge Ram 3500. Yes big truck for small trailer. But used this large truck to tow a LARGE holiday rambler trailer.
I will go to camping world in the morning in search of 750 or 700 lb bars. If not will go to other trailer dealer(s) in area. Now in Bay Area, CA
Found out that have to change the part where "stubs" fit into my hitch. The lighter weight rated bars DO NOT fit into the heavier rated bar slots -- hope that makes sense.
I think your problem is more likely the 3500 suspension than the 1000 lb. bars. We have not seen this problem in any or our customers 20's but they are all towing with softer tow vehicles.
What pressure are you carrying in your truck and trailer tires. What year is your 3500 and is it a 2 or 4 wheel drive.
Andy, have 2005 Dodge 3500 diesel, SRW, 2 WD, 8' bed, four door.
No other add on's such as air bags etc.
Have to check psi on truck and trailer. I maintain psi on trailer tires as specified on tires....believe around 60 psi. Rated to 65 psi.
Drop psi on trailer tires?
When I was at jackson Center and Airsteam dealer, both told me that 1000 bars were "ok"
BTW: I have high regards for Chris, Kevin and the rest of the crew at the factory. They have been very helpful. Done excellent work. Pleasure to deal with. They are a good crew there.
You really have too big a truck for the WD bars you have. I think if you can find them, the 500 pound or so bars would be much better. Do you carry anything else in the bed when you tow? Motorcycle? Generator? Mother-in-law?
I found my 3/4 ton truck tows and rides best when I have the trailer, and about 400 pounds of "stuff" in the bed. Airstreams respond more positively to a softer-sprung vehicle. Do you have a smaller vehicle you could set up to tow?
BTW, Camping World will likely not have anything less than 1000 pound bars, but you can try them anyway.
__________________
Terry "I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere, than any city" Steve McQueen
AIR#2611
yes, carry lots of items (weight) in bed of truck: two EIU generators, two containers of gas (sometimes), tools, large solar panel set up (stored under a false bed made of 3/4" plywood), bike, paint, oil, lube, hiking and camping gear, and lots of other things etc etc. So weight in bed of truck.
I called Camping World they sell 800, 700 and 600 lb bars. It was too complicated talking to them on the phone...so best to go out in person in the morning
I will look at Camping World and at trailer dealer in the morning for 500 lb bar.
I try to keep the loaded weight of the tailer down by draining most of the water from fresh, black and grey tanks. Not alot of can goods etc in the trailer.
Do you think by carrying more water in tanks would help? (adding weight to trailer may stop the pounding around???)
mmmm or even have truck shocks, and or trailer shocks, checked??
Biggest question: can I wait to change bars until I get back to Ohio? Now in california.
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