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Old 02-15-2018, 12:06 PM   #1
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Bent rear fin

I recently turned into a parking lot with a moderately steep entry and dragged the right rear of our FC 23FB. Underneath the bumper, welded to the frame, is a fin that extends down to (I suspect) protect the bumper from scraping. It seems to have worked, although there is a small scrape on the bottom of the bumper as well. However, the fin is now curled up inward with all the paint chipping off. Has anyone else experienced this and/or been able to correct it without taking it in for servicing? It appears to be fairly thin, so maybe it can be bent back into shape without causing more damage...does anyone have any suggestions for doing this?

Thank you!

Curt
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Old 02-15-2018, 12:21 PM   #2
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Usually a large Crescent wrench and a pair of pliers will bend it back into shape. Using the large Crescent wrench (the longer the handle the better leverage you will achieve), adjust it all the way down until it slides over the metal and then bend!
Good luck and Happy Airstreaming!
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Old 02-15-2018, 01:02 PM   #3
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I've just about ground both of ours off over the past few hundred thousand miles....
They're there as a sacrificial offering. Worry not...
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Old 02-15-2018, 03:45 PM   #4
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I have seen many people attach heavy casters to the rear so that it "rolls" instead of "scrapes".
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Old 02-15-2018, 04:52 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagemotor View Post
I have seen many people attach heavy casters to the rear so that it "rolls" instead of "scrapes".
Casters are for SOBs. They'll bend an Airstream frame on a severe tail drag.

Though thinking about it, is the fin just there to make so much gawdawful noise that you just back down and try another approach?
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Old 02-15-2018, 05:26 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Foiled Again View Post
Casters are for SOBs. They'll bend an Airstream frame on a severe tail drag.

Though thinking about it, is the fin just there to make so much gawdawful noise that you just back down and try another approach?

I keep seeing that, and I'm not really doubting it, but I wonder how casters are any worse than dragging on the fin. I have one bent fin from the PO, and sometimes I wonder if the frame wasn't tweaked.
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Old 02-15-2018, 05:28 PM   #7
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Dragging noise; good warning...back out and try something else

Bang as the skid comes down hard; bad news...something is already bent..

Please don't ask how I found this out.

(Wrinkled AS skin is a 'beauty/experience mark', right?
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Old 02-15-2018, 11:40 PM   #8
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Thank you

I appreciate all the responses. This happened quickly...I thought I had made enough of an angled approach as to avoid scraping, but by the time I heard it and felt it, it was already too late! I'll try bending it back once we return home.

Curt
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Old 02-16-2018, 12:19 AM   #9
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Hi, I don't think that having wheels is any worse than having skids on the rear frame of your trailer. Except for the fact that some people will think that it is OK to drag it more with wheels.
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Old 02-16-2018, 02:51 AM   #10
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Most add-on caster wheels would stick down further than the OEM fixed fin IMO, thus adding to the risk of bending the frame when the caster hits the ground. If you can get a small caster mounted that projects down the same amount as the fin -- OK -- but that small caster will probably get destroyed by the impact on the first hit.

The easy fix is bend the fin back and be more careful the next time.

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Old 11-03-2021, 02:48 PM   #11
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We have just done the same thing with both our fins, did your repair with the crescent wrench work?
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Old 11-04-2021, 07:37 AM   #12
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I ended up going to a local body shop. It took about 15 minutes for them to bend the fin back into shape, and then he painted it. I think they charged me around $60.00. I had tried to bend it myself, but it is surprisingly strong!
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Old 11-04-2021, 07:47 AM   #13
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I have a bent fin, and at the time, with traffic congestion, there was no stopping or backing up. And they do not bend back easily. Best fix is the Dexter axle lifts which helps raise the trailer to avoid these mishaps.
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Old 11-04-2021, 08:41 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AtomicNo13 View Post
I've just about ground both of ours off over the past few hundred thousand miles....
They're there as a sacrificial offering. Worry not...
I'm not sure this is entirely true. I think those fins add rigidity to the back end cap connection where the frame is, and not simply to be a sacrificial component, though I do believe that dragging protection is also their purpose, I do think those serve a dual purpose.
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Old 11-04-2021, 08:44 AM   #15
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I have a bend in one of mine. It is a fond reminder of the ferry ride across the Yukon River in Dawson City...
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Old 11-04-2021, 11:46 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagemotor View Post
I have seen many people attach heavy casters to the rear so that it "rolls" instead of "scrapes".
NOT the best idea, it just reduces the clearance, quiets the noise so you don't notice, and if it 'rolls' long enough, on a steep enough incline, silently, it may do... naughty things.

Bob
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I just left ours as is ....
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