Transport

[GingerFred]

I'm looking at purchasing this however the shell is separated from the frame and I'm worried about transport. Does anyone have any feedback, it would drive from Dallas to Austin, TX. I'm a newbie at this.


https://www.airstreamclassifieds.com...7-texas-366482

[Bubba L]

I guess it depends on how well they temporarily attached the shell to the chassis. The shell doesn’t weigh much at all. I have seen people use tie down straps all the way around the shell and bottom of the chassis. If you placed several of those at some of the rib locations, it may secure the shell enough. He just doesn’t give enough info on how well it’s temporarily attached. You could contact one of the Forum’s volunteer inspectors around Dallas and ask if they could take a look. They are listed here on the Airforum’s page. Good luck

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Bubba L

I guess it depends on how well they temporarily attached the shell to the chassis. The shell doesn’t weigh much at all. I have seen people use tie down straps all the way around the shell and bottom of the chassis. If you placed several of those at some of the rib locations, it may secure the shell enough. He just doesn’t give enough info on how well it’s temporarily attached. You could contact one of the Forum’s volunteer inspectors around Dallas and ask if they could take a look. They are listed here on the Airforum’s page. Good luck

Also depends how slow you can go on the trip. Keeping it in the 30-40mph speed would help a lot, even below 50. Some roads you could get killed if you try to stay below 50.

[Tim A.]

Looking at the pictures, the shell is attached to the frame with a few 2x4s. There is no plywood floor which is the usual attachment for the shell. I wouldn't want to try transporting the thing very far. Side winds, etc. could dislodge the shell.

Unless you are very handy with both metal and cabinet work, this could be a very, very challenging project.

Tim

[Bubba L]

You are correct referencing speed. There are routes from Dallas to Austin that keeps you off the 35 freeway. But even cutting through the countryside there are speedsters.

[GingerFred]

Thanks guys, this was exactly the advice I was looking for. I think given that it’s been detached and it’s a 250 mile drive to Austin there is too much risk in transporting this in its current state. Thank you so much everyone for your advice

[richard5933]

Not sure if it's financially feasible, but wouldn't it be safer to have this hauled on a flat bed where it can be properly strapped down?

[JMynes]

I wouldn’t tow that faster than 20mph.
I’d be worried about air pushing up under the shell and lifting it 30’ in the air to crash down on the line of horn honking traffic behind me.
At the very least it would blow all the windows out.

[Belegedhel]

It would take longer to "secure" this aborted project so that it can be safely transported, than it would to just go ahead and install a new subfloor and bolt the walls down properly. I would say that if the seller is serious about rehoming the trailer, they have a little more work to do (ie., install the floor).

Aside from the difficulties involved with transporting the trailer in the state it is in, they make no mention of the existence of the interior skins, and having to reproduce all of them from scratch is no trivial undertaking. Similar situation with the bellypan. They have done nobody any favors by creating a "blank slate" with nothing to use as templates.