 |
02-15-2018, 12:06 PM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member 
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 56
|
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
|
|
|
02-15-2018, 12:21 PM
|
#2
|
3 Rivet Member 
2016 28' International
2015 28' International
2013 28' International
Las Vegas
, Nevada
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 234
|
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!
|
|
|
02-15-2018, 01:02 PM
|
#3
|
Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
|
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...
|
|
|
02-15-2018, 03:45 PM
|
#4
|
3 Rivet Member 
2016 28' International
2015 28' International
2013 28' International
Las Vegas
, Nevada
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 234
|
I have seen many people attach heavy casters to the rear so that it "rolls" instead of "scrapes".
|
|
|
02-15-2018, 04:52 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master 
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagemotor
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?
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
|
|
|
02-15-2018, 05:26 PM
|
#6
|
3 Rivet Member 
2011 27 FB International
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 228
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foiled Again
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.
|
|
|
02-15-2018, 05:28 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master 
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
|
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?
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
|
|
|
02-15-2018, 11:40 PM
|
#8
|
2 Rivet Member 
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 56
|
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
|
|
|
02-16-2018, 12:19 AM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master 

2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,438
|
 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.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
|
|
|
02-16-2018, 02:51 AM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master 
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
|
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.
|
|
|
11-03-2021, 02:48 PM
|
#11
|
2 Rivet Member 
2017 30' Flying Cloud
East Blue Hill
, Maine
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 22
|
We have just done the same thing with both our fins, did your repair with the crescent wrench work?
|
|
|
11-04-2021, 07:37 AM
|
#12
|
2 Rivet Member 
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 56
|
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!
|
|
|
11-04-2021, 07:47 AM
|
#13
|
Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,176
|
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.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
|
|
|
11-04-2021, 08:41 AM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master 
2009 34' Panamerica
2005 28' Classic
Still
, in the thick of it
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 677
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AtomicNo13
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.
|
|
|
11-04-2021, 08:44 AM
|
#15
|
Site Team

2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,702
|
I have a bend in one of mine. It is a fond reminder of the ferry ride across the Yukon River in Dawson City...
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
|
|
|
11-04-2021, 11:46 AM
|
#16
|
"Cloudsplitter"

2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,128
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by vintagemotor
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
🇺🇸
I just left ours as is ....
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
|
|
|
 |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|

Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|