Hey Vernon
I love the job and level of dedication on your restoration project. I was reading over the thread and saw something that concerned me in two areas.
I borrowed one of your pictures (showen below) so it would be easy to follow what I was talking about. I hope you do not mind?
I have always been amazed with all the design thought that has gone into Airstreams. What I learned on replacing an end cap was one of those times I was amazed.
Once I had the old End Cap off and was walking around on the exposed floor it was like walking on a very large diving board. That frame was very agile. I later learned that there is strength in the body (fuselage). The idea the rib followed from the side of the trailer, over the top, down the other side, and attached to an
outrigger which was in line with the cross member and in line with another
outrigger was no mistake. The idea that poped in my mind then, it was like the rib cage of a large whale. The frame and body are a total package.
Here is your picture and a darn good illustration of the rib structure strength.
Those outriggers follow the whole length of the body on the side.
And if I may be so bold, if the same structure strength were incorporated in the rear I think Rear End Sag would not exist. See picture below.
1)The thing that concerns me is not having a strong and solid
outrigger at the rib of the body. I wonder if there would be a lose of strength and over time and crinkle the body just above the floor. The wood, body, and frame are a total package.
Here is a picture of the side of a unit that the floor was rotten and gave way. The side of the trailer crinkled.
And here is a picture of what is called Rear End Sag.
This is where the fuselage stays put, the floor rots, and the frame drops down. This is more evidence the wood, body/fuselage, and frame are a total package.
I don't think that not having one outrigger in the right place would give you any real problems but I would not do more than that.
2)The other thing that concerns me is, the weight of your home made outriggers. The
outriggers that come from Airstream weight a little less than 3 lbs. Yours look like they could be more. Once again, using one or two should not be a problem, but more than that, combined with other weight additions as time goes on may be a problem.
I felt compelled to share my ideas, as I would hate for you to put all this work into your unit and have a problem later on.
I have worked on some of these Airstream trailers and when the customer came to pick it up, I felt part of me was going home with the customer. It is like part of my soul is going with them. I bet that if you ever part with this baby you will know what I am talking about. I guess that is why the Airstream community never part with their baby when they have put so much into them. They buy another baby.