Frame Reinforcement Plates (as preventive installation?)

[Astroboy]

Wondering if it's wise to spend some money to pick these up (and perhaps have them installed), because I'm planning to stop by Jackson Center soon for the tour and for some other repairs.

My trailer (28') is only a few years old — it's not rusted at all beyond superficially.

Anything to strengthen the frame is very appealing to me...

Image credit: (http://www.airforums.com/photos/show...atid=newimages)

[Astroboy]

Also wondering if the axles (or the axle mounting plates) need to be removed in order to install these reinforcement plates...

Thanks in advance.

this image is from : (http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...n-26548-3.html)

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Astroboy

Also wondering if the axles (or the axle mounting plates) need to be removed in order to install these reinforcement plates...

Thanks in advance.

this image is from : (http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...n-26548-3.html)

Those plates will not interfere with the axles.

But, why do you want to add those plates?

They basically are for the older trailers.

They also do not correct or stop any form of rear end separation.

I cannot fathom a single good reason to add them to your trailer.

Andy

[dwightdi]

Sell them on our classifieds here or on Ebay. Many of the rear bath trailers with the 4 inch frame from the 70's really need them. Your trailer has a 5 inch frame and does not need them.

[Minno]

Astroboy,

I've been looking for those. Where did you get them?

Chris

[Astroboy]

Originally Posted by Minno

Astroboy,

I've been looking for those. Where did you get them?

Chris

No, I don't have them, sorry. (I only borrowed the above picture from some other thread from this forum.) I hope you find the parts. Perhaps, Jackson Center or Inland RV would be able to find them for you (?).

[silverleeper]

Originally Posted by Minno

Astroboy,

I've been looking for those. Where did you get them?

Chris

Hi Chris, You can find them here. ODMRV , Out-of-Doors Mart

[Astroboy]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Those plates will not interfere with the axles.

But, why do you want to add those plates?

They basically are for the older trailers.

They also do not correct or stop any form of rear end separation.

I cannot fathom a single good reason to add them to your trailer.

Andy

Thanks for your expertise, Andy! I believe you're right, the plates would probably do nothing but only add weight to my trailer.

I was just playing with contractor's laser level device in my trailer. In my desire to attain Airstream zen, I tried to longitudinally level the living room floor (front), the kitchen counter-top (midfront), and the bathroom counter-top (middle, right above axles)...

I found that my rear end floor (the bedroom) is sagging or drooping about 1.5 ~ 2 inches. This I can sorta see from outside as well.

Should I be worried? Should I jack them up from the rear bumper, a little bit, apply some little forces, and let them flex back the other way?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Astroboy

Thanks for your expertise, Andy! I believe you're right, the plates would probably do nothing but only add weight to my trailer.

I was just playing with contractor's laser level device in my trailer. In my desire to attain Airstream zen, I tried to longitudinally level the living room floor (front), the kitchen counter-top (midfront), and the bathroom counter-top (middle, right above axles)...

I found that my rear end floor (the bedroom) is sagging or drooping about 1.5 ~ 2 inches. This I can sorta see from outside as well.

Should I be worried? Should I jack them up from the rear bumper, a little bit, apply some little forces, and let them flex back the other way?

All larger Airstream's have a "sag".

That's normal.

The time to start the "worry wagon" is when you see structural problems, like shearing of rivets, rear end separation, goofy buckling of exterior sheetmetal, furniture or cabinetry in the rear being ripped apart, etc.

In the absence of any of those things, have a "cool one" and enjoy Airstreaming with yours.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Minno

Astroboy,

I've been looking for those. Where did you get them?

Chris

Those plates can be dropped shipped to you, since you live close to the factory.

Freight will be expensive, because of the weight and length.

Andy

[Astroboy]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

The time to start the "worry wagon" is when you see structural problems, like shearing of rivets, rear end separation, goofy buckling of exterior sheetmetal, furniture or cabinetry in the rear being ripped apart, etc.

In the absence of any of those things, have a "cool one" and enjoy Airstreaming with yours.

I appreciate the specific info. I'm already having a "cool one" as I type this. 'Airstreaming'? To be honest, during my 1st year of the AS ownership, I probably spent much more time lurking on this forum than traveling/camping... It's all good.

Thanks.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Astroboy

I appreciate the specific info. I'm already having a "cool one" as I type this. 'Airstreaming'? To be honest, during my 1st year of the AS ownership, I probably spent much more time lurking on this forum than traveling/camping... It's all good.

Thanks.

Your welcome.

Well, you gotta start someplace.

Now about the cool one.

Does it help you relax, or give you the courage to tow that thing??

Andy

[Minno]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Those plates can be dropped shipped to you, since you live close to the factory.

Freight will be expensive, because of the weight and length.

Andy

Andy, Please define “close to the factory” – as in where’s the factory located?

Any idea what gauge or thickness the plate is? I’m thinking it might be a whole lot cheaper to have this fabricated here in the Twin Cities by having steel plate bent into the S shape. I can then cut it to shape and drill holes, but I don’t have anything I could make a bend with in that thick a piece of iron.

Chris

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Minno

Andy, Please define “close to the factory” – as in where’s the factory located?

Any idea what gauge or thickness the plate is? I’m thinking it might be a whole lot cheaper to have this fabricated here in the Twin Cities by having steel plate bent into the S shape. I can then cut it to shape and drill holes, but I don’t have anything I could make a bend with in that thick a piece of iron.

Chris

The Airstream factory and parts department is in Jackson Center, Ohio, about 40 miles or so, north of Dayton.

I am out of town, so I cannot measure the thickness, but I think it's 3/16 inches thick.

Why do you think your trailer needs them?

Andy

[Minno]

We don't have frame sag, per se. Everything is straight and level with the new floor and the repairs Chris did to the frame. But, we plan on doing some extensive traveling eventually, so we were thinking of putting them on as some added insurance against potential eventual frame sag. (Kinda like some unmentionables - keeps everything in place )

Chris' secretary (Kay)

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Minno

We don't have frame sag, per se. Everything is straight and level with the new floor and the repairs Chris did to the frame. But, we plan on doing some extensive traveling eventually, so we were thinking of putting them on as some added insurance against potential eventual frame sag. (Kinda like some unmentionables - keeps everything in place )

Chris' secretary (Kay)

Those axle plates, "will not" stop or prevent any frame sagging, and do nothing as a preventive measure.

They simply beef up the frame at the axles, not at the rear end, where the frame sag and rear end separation takes place.

Andy

[Minno]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Those axle plates, "will not" stop or prevent any frame sagging, and do nothing as a preventive measure.

They simply beef up the frame at the axles, not at the rear end, where the frame sag and rear end separation takes place.

Andy

So, you're saying that if our axle plates and frame are both still solid, with sound welds holding them together, these would be unnecessary expense and weight?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Minno

So, you're saying that if our axle plates and frame are both still solid, with sound welds holding them together, these would be unnecessary expense and weight?

That's correct.

Save the money for some other "got to".

Andy

[Minno]

ok - thanks!

Chris