Large dents just appeared!

[A W Warn]

Definitely not heat/cold related, metal would not bend inward like that because of expansion or contraction.

I don't think the vehicle being out of level could do that. For years I have been keeping my trailer out of level, both side to side and front to rear on purpose, for better drainage.

I'll bet a bear, a deer, or a human threw their body against it. Or, maybe a large pelican flew into it, mistaking the shiny aluminum for a water surface.

[mms93546]

The trailer has 4 stabilizers. All four are down.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by mms93546

The trailer has 4 stabilizers. All four are down.

used as stabilizers and not in any form as levelers (carrying weight)?

[mms93546]

Thanks all. I 'suppose' a bear could have seen himself in the reflection, thought it was another bear, and attacked. But the thing about bears is they don't just hang out. They ****.
Everywhere.
They want you to know they are HERE. Haven't found any evidence of a bear, but it is possible. Hopefully, it won't be as bad as it seems to fix.

And hopefully, I'll win the lottery.

Thanks again.

[mms93546]

No extra weight on them. The trailer was on 6 jack stands to fix the rear floor area, and replace the axles. It was fine after it was set down on the new wheels, and fine for at least a couple of months. I'm going to look for hair, or anything that may be imbedded in the seam.
I guess knowing how it happened really won't make any difference. But it would be nice to know.

[AlinCal]

Not buying into the bear conspiracy, bears dont walk around on their rears giving body blocks to trailers, they are stealth if needed and do their damage with their claws to get at food.
This is really puzzling for sure.
And the oil canning thing is not going the make a compound curve bend in is it? I don't think so.

[HeltzelEricE]

When I first read your post, I was thinking they might just be "cold dents" but after seeing the pictures... argh...

Something or someone damaged your trailer. I've seen trailers in some crazy orientations for renovations and it is extremely unlikely the damage was caused from being out of level...

I had my 34' trailer jacked up by the tongue, at an angle that would make most on this forum cringe, to remove the axles. We didn't have any panel damage as a result.

I hope you figure it out.

[cjs998]

Is it possible that the stabilizers were stabilizing but became load bearing as the tires deflated over time? Please ignore if the trailer is supported on jack stands instead of the wheels.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The dents *are* there. They did get caused by something. What ever caused them is not a likely event. AS trailers don't "implode" like that. Even sitting in a swamp for 40 years, they don't implode.

I'd look very carefully at the dent areas. If "something" caused the dents, it left traces behind. Either in the dent areas or on the ground below.

If something structural caused it, you will find a structural failure. It will not be subtle. Take a look at the ribs and whatever is still inside. They will give you a pretty good idea of what did or did not happen.

Sad to see ...

Bob

[Buck Rabbit]

I had the water heater out of my 28' Excella for seven months. It was exposed to a 20" snow fall and temps from 0 to 80+. No issues at all. I dont think it was ever as close to being level as you show.

Is it shiny enough that a deer could have seen his reflection and rammed it? Is it near the road where a snow plow could have pushed snow against it?

YHu did not say when the dents appeared. Was it oover the Winter or just in the last few weeks?

[interstateflyer]

Ghost.....the only reasonable explanation.

[OTRA15]

OK now you are on the scent IMO. As uncle bob also mentioned, looking carefully you will hopefully find some trace of what bear/deer/who did this. For that horizontal riveted seam to buckle also, required quite a bit of concentrated force.

Any traces of hair, paw prints, saliva, nasal mucous, blood, or scratch marks from claws or antlers?

If you have any hunter friends, setting up an infrared camera at night might yield some clues. What wildlife roams your yard in the middle of the night?



Good luck!

Peter

Originally Posted by mms93546

Thanks all. I 'suppose' a bear could have seen himself in the reflection, thought it was another bear, and attacked. But the thing about bears is they don't just hang out. They ****.
Everywhere.
They want you to know they are HERE. Haven't found any evidence of a bear, but it is possible. Hopefully, it won't be as bad as it seems to fix.

And hopefully, I'll win the lottery.

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by mms93546

No extra weight on them. The trailer was on 6 jack stands to fix the rear floor area, and replace the axles. It was fine after it was set down on the new wheels, and fine for at least a couple of months. I'm going to look for hair, or anything that may be imbedded in the seam.
I guess knowing how it happened really won't make any difference. But it would be nice to know.

[USAtraveler]

I'm sticking with the bear theory. Something big hit this trailer. As the OP sez, no way was it human vandalism. Bears may not walk around on their hind legs, but they can sure stand up when they want to. They are also curious animals. And territorial. A bear may not have been in search of food; just defending the neighborhood against a strange intruder reflected in the AS skin.

[Alumatube]

I am so sorry this happened to you! How perplexing! If the damage is facing the street and you have nothing else in the way, my bet is on someone like the FedEx/UPS truck backing into your driveway and hitting the trailer. That happened to my Miata in my own driveway 800 yards off the road. Big truck, little car. I'm sure he never felt it. Same thing for a lightweight Airstream trailer.

If this might be the case and your trailer is sitting like that in your driveway, you might want to block it with something they would hit before someone hits the trailer again. And maybe add a security or trail cam to see who is pulling into your driveway.

[Rzrbrn]

Bear? Human vandalism? Big Foot? Flying saucer thinking it finally found it's true love?

We may never know what really happened.

mms93546, you are obviously a very capable DIY'er. Will you be fixing it yourself?

I see T.G. Twinkie fixed a dent but this may be a bigger job than his.

I hope if the dent is pushed out from the inside it will be spot on, but more than likely it will be close to original, but maybe not quite. There may be weakness where the metal flexed, or the repair may be noticeable, seeing as this is bare metal, but maybe not.

But if you want to bring it back to what it was originally, does that mean the panels will have to be replaced? How much will that cost? This is a '72 Safari, is it worth it to replace the panels?

Can an auto body shop replace the panels and rivets or does it have to be taken to an Airstream specialist somewhere?

Please know that I don't own an Airstream, but I am at this forum because I may buy one. This type of issue, along with hail damage, dents from rocks being thrown, etc., is of concern.

[WestieHouse]

Originally Posted by mms93546

Hey. We're restoring a '72 Safari. 23' for what it's worth. We stripped out the interior walls, replaced part of the back floor due to rot, replaced both axles, and took out all the electrical, plumbing etc. Basically, it is a shell. We ran out of time last fall, and put in in the driveway for the winter.
One day, a very large dent appeared in the left rear quarter panel. AND later, another smaller dent appeared along the same side farther forward, along the bottom. My better half says it's because the trailer is not level. All four wheels are on the ground, but granted it is not plumb level. I've camped in other RVs that were less level, but she swears that's why the dents appeared.
I think it's because the water heater is out, causing a weakness, AND the thing gets hot and cold in the sun, and snow causing a thermal reaction.

Anyone else seen this? Thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

Looks like someone in a vehicle with extended rear view mirrors driving by managed to do this on two occasions. Delivery truck or Postal Service?

[streaminwild]

I know exactly what did it....JEALOUSY. I washed my Airstream before a company meeting, I had seen a coworker walking around the trailer admiring and complimenting my trailer. A couple days later while blowing leaves I noticed a small new dent in a panel behind the trailer. The dent was caused by a fist punching the panel. Set up critter cams facing your trailer, and be prepared to be disappointed. Your dent was made by a 180lb space alien.

[cwf]

Outside intervention

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by mms93546

. . .
I'm going to look for hair, or anything that may be imbedded in the seam.
I guess knowing how it happened really won't make any difference. But it would be nice to know.

Have you found any evidence of the cause, or confirmation from neighbors of nearby damage, perhaps from a marauding hungry bear?

Thanks,

Peter

[TG Twinkie]

That would have to be a pretty big bear.