Things that go bump in the day?

[badkat]

Full-timers to start and spend more time in our trailer than a vacationer.

The 3 years we have been on the road at times we hear this bump. First we thought birds fly into Airstreams gently. It sounds like a tennis ball hitting the trailer tossed softly. The sound does not seem to be coming from the same place.

Has anybody had this experience and is it more likely on a sunny day?

It just happened so I thought this is the right time to ask.

[Hittenstiehl]

It might be something referred to as oil canning. The aluminum reacting to the heating and cooling of the day.

Someone will likely explain that better but does it sound like that could be an explanation.

[badkat]

Our trailer does not have waves in the metal like oil canning does. Maybe it is some kind of expansion?

[ijustlee]

Agree that it's most likely "oil-canning" from temperature changes. My trailer ticks and creaks as clouds cover and uncover the sun when parked in the sun. The inner and outer skins expand at different rates under different conditions and I'd bet we would shocked at the stresses this can apply to the structure if we saw the numbers. I think the expansion and contraction is what causes a lot of leaks.

[badkat]

The leak thing does worry me but we seem to be fine but there are always those hidden things that we are not aware of. I do feel this is an expansion thing though.

[MelGoddard]

Ever been to Boston?
Could be "The Boston Boogyman"!

[PKI]

We were resting one morning when we heard a thump. Squirrel was harvesting nuts and was bombing the trailer. When we walk across the floor, the belly pops a bit. And then there is the Bear and the bacon thing. Do you cook bacon inside or outside the trailer?

Safe travels. Pat

[dznf0g]

Greasy meats are cooked outdoors.

[badkat]

We are in Santa Fe, NM and I guess we will continue to hear our little maybe "oil canning" noises and it is when the sun is out. Does anyone else hear this thump like a bird flew the wrong way and bounced off?

[xrvr]

Anybody whose lived in a mobile home has heard the bumps.

[Foiled Again]

In eastern Virginia it's gum ball trees. They drop these nasty spiney things that will turn your ankle, and it can sound like a stone. And the squirrels - In some campgrounds they'll KNOCK on the door looking for treats. Cheeky buggers.

My partner Bob was startled by the sound of the rain on the roof of the Avion. I told him I find it soothing... don't think he gets it.

Paula

[paiceman]

Are you sure it's not from under the trailer from the storage tank(s) area, either fresh, grey or black? All three of our AS have done this, but almost always when either we or one of our Labs steps in a certain place.

[dkottum]

It's a pop from thermal expansion of the shell panels, usually as the sun hits them in the morning. There is also thermal expansion of thunder body panels, usually heard walking back and forth through the trailer, sometimes mitigated by adjusting the stabilizers.

[badkat]

We are sitting on the couch during the day and the sounds are sides of the trailer. I think thermal expansion might be it but you guys do not hear these..lol? Are we the only ones? Is it when we have cool nights and sunny days?