Belly Pan Wear & Tear

[TinLoaf]

After four years, the rivet heads wore completely through my belly pan in the very rear of the trailer. I added some sealant and some screws, but two years later the belly pan actually tore away from the screws and was almost completely loose.

There is no other rivet wear on the belly pan other than the farthest rear sheet. I haven't seen any posts out there about any other folks having this problem, so I don't think it's just normal wear and tear.

Does the wind constantly ripple the thin aluminum sheet while driving which could cause that kind of wear? I've put about 70,000 miles on the trailer, so I guess that's a possibility.

Or worse, is my entire back end shaking while I drive? My shower (rear corner) has come off it's foundation in the past and I'm beginning to think this is all related. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f446...ver-70946.html

I used a 1/8" x 1" x 8' piece of aluminum to distribute the pressure and hopefully prevent the underbelly from tearing more. I'm also going to look into Centramatics. Any feedback would be welcome.

[FC7039]

You might try to put a bead of sealant the whole lenght. This "glue" will also spread the forces and lessen the stresses on the rivets.

[TinLoaf]

I just ordered a set of Centramatic Wheel Balancers on sale from Inland RV. Hopefully they'll stop the shaking and excessive wear in the rear of the trailer.

[dznf0g]

Steve, I think both of your preliminary suspicions are in line with my thought process. I would visualize a wind buffeting in that area as well, if you have seen some interior issues....vibration may be a concern.

I would have done the exact same aluminum strip repair and I would look into balance/vibration reduction. I would balance the tire/wheel assemblies AND get centramatics.

P.S. The sealant "glueing" isn't a bad idea either.

[Alumaholic]

Your instincts are good as are your corrective actions.
Ditto on dznf0g's suggestion.
Check every tire thoroughly for separation, bubble, defect that could cause vibration.
Balance each tire and wheel.
Install Centramatics wheel balancers.

I believe the shower damage and the damage to the pan are connected and attributable to excessive vibration.