Replacing ribs?

[AlaskaElaine]

Hello,
I’ve owned my 72 sovereign “Lenora” for about 16 years or more but have never done any repair on her. Two years ago I removed the ugly indoor outdoor carpet (could also use ideas on how to remove carpet adhesive on exterior) that a po had attached to the front exterior (just behind the tongue). And found two large holes. Yesterday I actually removed the banquet seats and the three lower panels. And found that the two ribs directly under the window are badly bent. Suggestions on repair? Can I remove the bent ribs and replace them with??? Aluminum 2x4? I live in interior Alaska so not too much access to AS stuff. Suggestions greatly appreciated.

[Belegedhel]

You could remove the ribs, lay them on an anvil it other hard flat surface, and just hammer them back into shape. There is no funky curve to worry about. If you can score some aluminum sheet of the right thickness, you could form up a replacement, especially if you have a sheet metal break. Or can approximate one.

Good luck!

[AlaskaElaine]

Thank you; I will give that a try.

[OTRA15]

Is the trailer watertight at that location? Do you tow it much?

A novice metal worker will have a hard time not making the situation worse IMO, so maybe consider leaving the damage as-is, for now at least?

You might try sending photos to Airstream in Jackson Center, or to that good NW AS dealer, for advice. If you remove a rib, and send a pattern to a good AS body shop, they could fabricate the ribs for you easily, to be shipped.

Good luck,

Peter

[AtomicNo13]

A local metal fabrication shop should be able to do this work

[AlaskaElaine]

Trailer doesn’t leak, I cover the skin holes with water proof tape temporarily. Sadly Lenora rarely moves (only four times since I have owned her, two moves a few hundred feet, one move four miles, one move 500 miles) thanks for advice, I will do some research and see if I can find someone with metal work experience.

[azflycaster]

There seems to be much more going on here then a bent rib. I am wondering what your final goal is regarding this damage. Do you plan on replacing the outer skin since you have what appears to be a large hole that was patched. You can order the front corner skin, but it is not going to be cheap and the shipping would cost even more.

[AlaskaElaine]

Honestly, I will probably patch the holes with some type of aluminum skin for now. “Someday “ I hope to change out front skin but not that big of priority right now. I did remove one of the bent ribs and was able to “persuade” it back to relatively straight. Hammer, vice and the edge of the work bench. My stepson said he could probably make one for me if I needed so I figured I may as well try out my Alaskan homestead fix as the only one I’d be hurting was myself. �� will try to remove other side and adjust that one as well. Time will tell if I can get the riveting to line up. Looked pretty close but we will see.

[AlaskaElaine]

Picture of adjusted rib.

[azflycaster]

Good luck! We were in Alaska last summer with an Airstream Caravan and stayed at the Denali RV Park. We flew out of the Airport in Healy to land on a glacier in the park. You live in a wonderful place...

[AlaskaElaine]

Yes indeed. I’m very blessed.