When should belly be replaced?

[uncledan]

How do you know when your belly is bad enough to need replacing?
I was crawling around on my own belly which has its own issues, under our recently adopted 66 Caravel when I noticed some exposed fiberglass insulation and some rivets that had obviously given up. The belly has several areas where it has been patched in the past.
How bad should it get before replacement is considered?

[Aage]

Looking at the photo of your TT in your avatar, your axles look to be badly shot to me. That could account for the rivets that are pulled out. Look around your TT and see if you are missing other rivets, inside, for example on the ceiling and walls. Your rig looks nice though, a real keeper!

Bad axles are hard on your trailer and will hurt it. Be thankful yours only has one, less $ to replace it!

When you have the belly off (yep, it looks shot, too) have a real good look at the frame and make sure all is well with it too. You won't want to take the belly off a second time if it isn't...

ps: when replacing it, make sure you get the proper rivets, they have a much bigger head and look rather like tiny li'l mushrooms.

[uncledan]

The axle replacement is on my to do list.
Should the belly be replaced before the axle or the other way around?

[Becky B.]

I would take the belly pan off, then replace the axle, then put the belly pan back on. Be glad you have a nice short trailer. I shouldn't be too hard!

[uncledan]

It probably shouldnt be but I have a talent for making the simple way complicated

[Dave Park]

Uncledan, if you would like some help with that project, I'm just down the road in Round Rock and have lots of free time.