Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-21-2004, 10:20 AM   #1
Rivet Master
 
sovereignrwe's Avatar
 
2020 30' Flying Cloud
1995 25' Excella
Clear Lake , Minnesota
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 588
rear tub sag prevention and axle replacement

1972 Sovereign 31ft - fact opt L couches front; mid-twins; rear bath

Can anyone provide me with their knowledge(feedback) on the actual method applied by Airstream to prevent(correct) rear tub sag?

I would like to make an educated decision on including the replacement of my not-quite-required, but oh-so-near worn out axles (0 degree torsion arms - thanks to all who have come before me in this forum!!!). I realize I am talking about quite a bill with this - assuming around $3500, but if they are already going to have the axles off, why not just replace at the same time?
sovereignrwe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2004, 10:48 AM   #2
uwe
418
 
uwe's Avatar
 
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley , California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
Images: 41
Send a message via Skype™ to uwe
Quote:
Originally Posted by sovereignrwe
1972 Sovereign 31ft - fact opt L couches front; mid-twins; rear bath

Can anyone provide me with their knowledge(feedback) on the actual method applied by Airstream to prevent(correct) rear tub sag?

I would like to make an educated decision on including the replacement of my not-quite-required, but oh-so-near worn out axles (0 degree torsion arms - thanks to all who have come before me in this forum!!!). I realize I am talking about quite a bill with this - assuming around $3500, but if they are already going to have the axles off, why not just replace at the same time?
Rear end sag does not usually require axle replacement.
However, worn out and bouncy axles, especially with a loaded trailer, can contribute to rear end separation.
The separation happens when the frame separates from the rear floor section,causing droop. If you stand on the bumper and gently bounce up and down, you will see the gap between the bumper cover and shell widening.
The repair of this entails re-attachment of the frame, floor and shell.
Some trailers had axle mounting plate problems, or even cracked frames near the axles, but i think that's much rarer an occurance than rear end separation.
You might have a combo deal on your hands here, weak or rotten flooring under the bath fixtures, separation and weak axles. Not meaning to scae you off, but make sure and take a close look before committing to one single repair.
__________________
Uwe
www.area63productions.com
uwe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2004, 10:57 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
1975 29' Ambassador
Reno , Nevada
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,351
Quote:
Originally Posted by sovereignrwe
Can anyone provide me with their knowledge(feedback) on the actual method applied by Airstream to prevent(correct) rear tub sag?
I am curious about this "rear tub sag."

If you mean the frame droop problem, there is a technote that describes how to cut holes in the rear in order to add frame strengthening members. These holes are then patched and referred to as elephant ears. You can see them on some longer 70's Airstreams.

There is another tech note of interest for trailers of about this era and that is to strengthen the axle mounting plate with a bolt on reinforcement.

I tend to agree with InlandRV Andy in that the frame droop problem has more to do with a marginal frame (done to reduce weight) coupled with vibration from poorly balanced running gear. It is aggravated to some extent by running with full holding tanks in rear bath models, but that only gives the vibration something more to work with.
bryanl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2004, 11:02 AM   #4
Rivet Master
 
TomW's Avatar
 
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
Images: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by sovereignrwe
...Can anyone provide me with their knowledge(feedback) on the actual method applied by Airstream to prevent(correct) rear tub sag?
Check out this post for the approved method. I have no idea of the cost if you have the work done.

Quote:
...I would like to make an educated decision on including the replacement of my not-quite-required, but oh-so-near worn out axles (0 degree torsion arms - thanks to all who have come before me in this forum!!!). I realize I am talking about quite a bill with this - assuming around $3500, but if they are already going to have the axles off, why not just replace at the same time?
Check out InlandRV.com for the cost of new axles. I wouldn't think more than hour or two of labor for a shop who had done it before.

What scares me right now about the axles is shipping damage, whether it is shipped to you or an RV shop. GunnyUSMC has a particularly unsettling tale.

Tom
TomW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2004, 05:18 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
sovereignrwe's Avatar
 
2020 30' Flying Cloud
1995 25' Excella
Clear Lake , Minnesota
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 588
Thank you for your willingness to share your thoughts. It is a great help!

I don't have any evidence that I already have rear separation (sorry I called it rear sag).

I had the impression from other areas of the forum that prevention was a good idea. I think I remember seeing a post somewhere that referenced $1700 invested in the proceedure on their A/S.
sovereignrwe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2004, 06:06 PM   #6
uwe
418
 
uwe's Avatar
 
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley , California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
Images: 41
Send a message via Skype™ to uwe
The best prevention, in my opinion, is making sure you have no water leaks from plumbing, or from windows, vents etc. Keep the floor dry.
Make sure your axles are ok, as to prevent undue shock on the long rear overhang.
Keep your running gear balanced. This may be a challenge, because not many places will balance your hubs and wheels. Just balancing the wheels won't do you much good.
Keep a watchful eye on things inside the trailer. You wil soon notice unusual turmoil, if it is present, as is caused by a rough ride.
__________________
Uwe
www.area63productions.com
uwe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2004, 08:26 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
sovereignrwe's Avatar
 
2020 30' Flying Cloud
1995 25' Excella
Clear Lake , Minnesota
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 588
Quote:
Originally Posted by uwe
The best prevention, in my opinion, is making sure you have no water leaks from plumbing, or from windows, vents etc. Keep the floor dry.
Make sure your axles are ok, as to prevent undue shock on the long rear overhang.
Keep your running gear balanced. This may be a challenge, because not many places will balance your hubs and wheels. Just balancing the wheels won't do you much good.
Keep a watchful eye on things inside the trailer. You wil soon notice unusual turmoil, if it is present, as is caused by a rough ride.
So it sounds like my best prevention may well be just mounting new "balanced" axles from inland, keeping the black water empty as much as possible (potable runs above the axles and '72 doesn't have grey) and keep an eye out for separation near the trunk. I think I read a post by Andy that the axles come balanced.
__________________
Mark
72 Sovereign: L couch, mid-twin, rear-bath
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it"
"It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much."
"If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else." - Yogi Berra

sovereignrwe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2004, 08:47 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
TomW's Avatar
 
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
Images: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by sovereignrwe
So it sounds like my best prevention may well be just mounting new "balanced" axles from inland ... I think I read a post by Andy that the axles come balanced.
I do not think that is correct; Hopefully, Andy will catch this thread & set the record straight.

It is not the axle itself that needs balancing, but rather the spinning masses bolted to it. Andy sells bare axles & fully loaded axles. I do not recall him claiming the brake drums on his loaded axles were dynamically balanced.

That is why it is important to have the wheel balanced while it is mounted to the brake drum.

You may need new axles to keep from jarring your Airstream when encountering poor roads, but don't buy them just to correct a balance issue.

Tom
TomW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2004, 08:54 AM   #9
Rivet Master
 
sovereignrwe's Avatar
 
2020 30' Flying Cloud
1995 25' Excella
Clear Lake , Minnesota
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 588
Red face

Quote:
Originally Posted by tcwilliams
I do not think that is correct; Hopefully, Andy will catch this thread & set the record straight.

It is not the axle itself that needs balancing, but rather the spinning masses bolted to it. Andy sells bare axles & fully loaded axles. I do not recall him claiming the brake drums on his loaded axles were dynamically balanced.

That is why it is important to have the wheel balanced while it is mounted to the brake drum.

You may need new axles to keep from jarring your Airstream when encountering poor roads, but don't buy them just to correct a balance issue.

Tom
Hopefully Andy will chime in. I was under the impression that when purchasing the loaded axles, you were getting balenced running gear from him. I can certainly call and ask.

I need to choose my words more carefully. I wrote axles, thinking loaded axles. Thank you for the clarification!
__________________
Mark
72 Sovereign: L couch, mid-twin, rear-bath
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it"
"It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much."
"If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else." - Yogi Berra

sovereignrwe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2004, 09:46 AM   #10
Rivet Master
 
1975 29' Ambassador
Reno , Nevada
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,351
The only other item to add to the list is to get properly rated tires. This is usually a load range C tire. Getting a tire designed for heavier loads than you need means a stiffer ride that your really don't need. Tire load ratings is one area where "mo' betta'" isn't a very good idea from what I hear.
bryanl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2004, 03:25 PM   #11
uwe
418
 
uwe's Avatar
 
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley , California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
Images: 41
Send a message via Skype™ to uwe
Quote:
Originally Posted by sovereignrwe
So it sounds like my best prevention may well be just mounting new "balanced" axles from inland, keeping the black water empty as much as possible (potable runs above the axles and '72 doesn't have grey) and keep an eye out for separation near the trunk. I think I read a post by Andy that the axles come balanced.
Axles don't come balanced. Drums don't come balanced. They're insultingly out of balance, as a matter of fact.
Andy can balance your "running gear" by balancing the drums/hubs and wheels by a special process. But you will have to take your trailer there.
Some forum members have had good results with the centramatic product.
Search for " running gear balance" and "centramatic" for further enlightenment.
__________________
Uwe
www.area63productions.com
uwe is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.