Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Airstream Forums > Airstream Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums > General Repair Forum
Click Here to Login
Register Vendors FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search Log in

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-25-2016, 12:17 PM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
ASTailgate's Avatar
 
1981 28' Airstream 280
Austin , Texas
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 144
rear sag

I have a 1989 excella 1000 34ft. does this model have the rear sag issue? if so what does it look like?
ASTailgate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2016, 03:27 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
Belegedhel's Avatar
 
1973 21' Globetrotter
Houston , Texas
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,322
This sag is also known as "rear end separation." If you do a google search for "airforums rear end separation" from outside the forums, you should find several hits.

It is typically caused by water that runs down the outside of the rear of the trailer, hits the bumper trunk, and is directed quite literally into the endgrain of the rear-most sheet of plywood. The wood eventually rots away leaving a gap. The rear of the shell is still bolted and riveted to the rear of the frame, but without the wood there, they are free to move relative to one another. Eventually the bolts fail, any rear hold-down plate rusts away, the rear-most cross member disintegrates, and the rivets in the shell tear out. At this point, the bumber and the rear of the shell can move completely independent of one another. Since the shell is not holding the frame up, it will flop around, and may eventually fail completely due to fatigue. This is when you get the serious droop/sag.

If it has gotten this far, it is usually obvious. If it is in the early stages, then you can step up on the bumper and just bounce a little bit. The shell and frame should move together. If the frame deflects under your weight, but the shell remains stationary, then you have the beginnings of the problem. You can also look into the cabinetry in the rear of the trailer that covers up the rotting plywood and take a look at its condition. If the plywood is solid, then you probably don't have a separation issue.

The older the trailer is, and the wetter the environment it has lived in, the higher the likelyhood of floor rot. Design wise, it hasn't changed much since 1969.

good luck!
Belegedhel is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Rear sag '75 rear bath Sovereign Ofdtruckie Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 20 02-08-2012 01:45 PM
Rear Separation and Rear Sag on my '72 mello mike Axles 17 06-16-2005 01:58 PM
Rear end Sag? Fun-Lovin Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 2 10-27-2003 08:03 AM
Rear sag- or no rear sag? aviontt Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 14 08-27-2003 05:38 PM
rear end sag bhsl8 Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 17 07-31-2003 08:36 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:55 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.