AIRSTREAM Trailer bottoming out

[Jimroll]

I bottomed out my 22 foot Safari leaving two different parking lots in Redding, .CA both at the hitch and the rear. It seems they like their parking lots to exit up to the sidewalk then down to the road in a very short distance, sometimes with an additional low spot for a gutter before getting to the main part of the road. The point is, even short trailers can bottom out. TV is an F150. Second point is stay out of Redding CA.

[Dabarany]

I have the same bottoming out problem in my driveway. You have two choices: 1. When you pull onto your street, temporarily replace your standard hitch with a “drop ball” hitch for only when you move in the driveway to raise the rear of the trailer, or, 2. Put heavy duty casters at the rear to take the load for a brief time.

Both options have worked for me. Casters are a permanent solution, but placement is critical.

[MAJORJDB]

On our 1989 31' Excella, we added a 3" lift kit when we bought new axles and went to 16" tires/rims. The trailer tows the same and I can easily get under the trailer without jacking it up or putting it on ramps or blocks to inspect or perform maintenance. However, we had to raise our hitch ball to the top adjustment on the hitch and the steps are higher, but it's very much worth it!! Good luck!! Jim & Gretchen

[waninae39]

do as many others have

get a 3" lift kit. that soln worked for us
i also moved from std GY 15" to Michelin 16" , that gave us another 1/2 lift

[jcanavera]

I've had a RV dealer (not Airstream) warn me regarding putting any type of wheels on a trailer incase of the rear dragging. He noted that most trailer frames are not capable of supporting the weight of the tail end of a trailer would apply as the wheels contact the ground. Damage to the frame could occur.

I've passed many a gas station by when exiting the Interstate where I see a potential of bottoming out the rear end when arriving or departing from the station lot to the road.

I remember when camping up at Estes Park staying at a campground where I drug the rear end of my 30' SOB trailer due to the angle of the campsite access road vs the access road into the campground. I was dragging on the skid bars and the tires on the rearmost tandem axle were not touching the ground. The road I was dragging on was crushed gravel and I was just creeping as the bars were dragging. Thankfully because of it being on crushed gravel, the road bed gave a little as the bars dug into it. Funny was that it didn't drag when entering the campground but did as I was coming down the steep campsite access road when departing.

Jack

[Bshnid]

Did the trick. No performance changes while towing. Dealer installed.

[farafield]

Originally Posted by PKI

Aaargh - they are low because that makes for a great tow. That's why I have an AS. All the SOBs were high center of gravity trailers. I would say, it makes a good highway only trailer, but lots of folks take them wherever they want to go, so I'd be wrong. Every RV is a compromise configured to make the target group happy. For an AS, you need bigger tires and maybe a lift to gain rough road clearance.

Hope you work out your problem. Pat

I take back my aargh. Thanks for the info. (But I still wish it were a bit higher--will probably get a lift kit.)