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ROBERTSUNRUS · 10-20-2009, 10:06 PM

Hi, today while I was under my trailer doing some mouse proofing, I noticed two hanging stabilizers. On my trailer there are four bolts on the outer frame flange and only one on the inboard end. Two seemed to be missing, both on the curb side. The right front stabilizer, inside bolt was missing and the two whole threads in the cross member were stripped. I drilled a 1" hole in the belly pan so I could use a nut to hold the bolt properly. [Airstream should have used nuts] On the left front stabilizer, I checked for torque and it was on the verge of stripping. So I drilled another hole so I could put a nut on this one too. What do you expect, with only two threads tapped into a frame cross member that holds 1/4 of the trailer in place? Now in the rear; The street side, inner, stabilizer bolt needed to be tighter. I tightened it up and it is OK for now. On the curb side stabilizer inner bolt, my first thoughts were that it is stripped out too and the bolt is missing, but this bolt was broken off. I drilled out the old bolt and installed a new one. With my finger in the hole, it seems that this cross member is doubled where the bolt goes, so I was able to tighten it up properly. Before today, When camping with my stabilizers down, it didn't seem too stable and made some creaking noises; Now I know why. I suggest everyone should crawl under their trailer and check their stabilizer bolts. [weak area] For now I covered my 1" holes with duct tape.

Mexray · 10-20-2009, 10:40 PM

Robert,

Those bolts are subject to crystallization after being exposed to below freezing temps in certain Northwestern states...

It may appear that's one area where AS's 'making it better' didn't quite make it...the older style stabilizers on our 78 appear to be holding up well after these years without any broken parts...knock, knock on wood...

Jim Foster · 10-20-2009, 10:40 PM

A few weeks ago I removed the stabilizers on our '83 Excella to paint them as they were starting to look pretty bad.
I found a couple of bolts broken off, and one missing. I was unable to get the broken bolts out of the frame, so I drilled new holes in the stabilizers right next to the others, drilled holes in the frame and threaded them to take new bolts.

All is well now.

Oh, the newly painted and lubricated stabilizers look nice and work very well.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 10-20-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mexray

Robert,

Those bolts are subject to crystallization after being exposed to below freezing temps in certain Northwestern states...

Hi, either that, crystallization, or Mickey Mouse chewed them off.

markdoane · 10-21-2009, 04:18 AM

You California people have some weird ideas about metallurgy. I think you need to come up here for a visit, around late January.

There is no such thing as crystallization of bolts. .

We prefer to think of it as embrittlement due to enthapic relaxation and entropic decay.

markdoane · 10-21-2009, 04:22 AM

I can say that because there aren't any moderators here at 5 AM.

PARTY ON!

CanoeStream · 10-21-2009, 07:46 AM

Watchit there markdoane, you St Cloud ex-plant! I've got a fresh hatch of axle weevils. Just where did say you live? Lake George? Waite Park?

We had documented the mothership's hiring a local but inexperienced former linebacker to air wrench stabilizers back in 2005. See: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f457...off-24397.html Mine had two heads twisted off and one stripped. With my August '05 born Safari still under warranty, the RV tech at Ace Fogdall cursed at how unbelievably tough it was drilling those out to replace them.

I still say -- anybody with an '04, '05 or '06, get under your Airstream and check the ... actually i guess they are hex-head self tapping screws that hold on the stabilizers. What I'd really like to see is if newer trailer owners could verify this problem was stopped back when.